Individual health insurance in the USVI

One good thing about this forum, it will be here for a while, so that we can look back and see just how much of a tragedy this over reach really is, pushed through by one party, "remember, you have to pass it to read what is in it", this was the first malfeasants of public office, the lie that was perpetrated by our President that "You will be able to keep your individual plans and doctors if you like them period" to later changing his statement to the American people to "You will be able to keep your individual plans and doctors if you like them period if it doesn't change", (second malfeasants of public office) to the glorious rollout fiasco. Yes, please compare this over reach to a COMMUNIST COUNTRY, because that seems to be where this is headed. Yes, the only way to fix this white elephant is a single payer system, which will be here well before 5 years I'm afraid. Then we will all be on Medicaid with the same insurance as everyone else EXCEPT for the entitled to include the politicians that voted for it, unions and anyone else that gets a waiver.

But you got to love liberals, who just can't admit when they are wrong even when it's starring them in the face. If this had been a republican president, he would have already been impeached.

I'm sure most of you already know that Pelosi's comment was taken completely out of context. If you want to know what she really said, easy enough to google it and get the whole story. In a nutshell, she was addressing the fact the anti-ACA people were calling it a death panel, saying it was promoting abortion and all the other garbage that some would like us all to believe. I will TRY to explain this as best I can and hope it makes sense. What she meant was.....it's NOT a bad thing....it's a GOOD thing and once it's passed, you'll see what the real truth is. Until it's passed, people will still be unclear because of all the speculation and lies. And I do believe that to be just exactly what is happening. People ARE starting to like it, now that it has been passed and we can see what's in it. Pelosi was spot on with her comment!! Unfornately, she will go to her grave with that haunting her, since, as usual, with both parties, the other guys just go for the sound-bite, not the whole story.

When you go to the marketplace to shop plans, you can look for one that includes your doctor.

If you already have individual, or group, insurance, you can keep it. If you want to go to the marketplace and shop for a better deal, you can. Depends on your income, number in household, etc. I got a letter from my BCBS saying nothing is changing with my policy. They also offered to go over the marketplace options with me to see if I qualify for a subsidy. I have already used the Kaiser calulator, and according to that, my monthly premium should go down by $166. My income is fairly "middle class".

The President, Congress, etc. and anyone else in that income bracket does not qualify for a subsidy, so it's not just choosing to opt out of the ACA. They don't quality.

Yes, please compare this over reach to a COMMUNIST COUNTRY, because that seems to be where this is headed.

I lived in a Iron Curtain communist country much of my childhood. To compare the USA to that is the height of irresponsible extremist far right rhetoric and scare tactics. It's ridiculous and unfounded and should not even be discussed. Most of the so-called "evidence" is twisted sound bites or cherry-picked. It's offensive, and the ACA resembles nothing like what I experienced, nor are we heading that direction.

If you already have individual, or group, insurance, you can keep it. If you want to go to the marketplace and shop for a better deal, you can. Depends on your income, number in household, etc. I got a letter from my BCBS saying nothing is changing with my policy. They also offered to go over the marketplace options with me to see if I qualify for a subsidy. I have already used the Kaiser calulator, and according to that, my monthly premium should go down by $166. My income is fairly "middle class".

The President, Congress, etc. and anyone else in that income bracket does not qualify for a subsidy, so it's not just choosing to opt out of the ACA. They don't quality.

There are people losing their individual and group plans that want to keep them. I know several personally. However I don't know how much of that us truly due to the ACA vs. profiteering by the insurance companies. I think it's a combination of both.

On the whole though I know way more happy people than unhappy. And even the unhappy are fine with changing plans. I know no one who has truly been "gouged" by this. And for us, our premium is now about half what it used to be ($700 vs $1300 per month) and we do not qualify for a subsidy.

mtdoramike, you're too far gone to have an intelligent discussion with. Too much talk radio and vitriol have rotted your brain.

Bottom line is there is nothing I, or anyone else can say to you or show you that would make you change your mind.
Your opinions are not founded in reason or logic, therefore using them against you in a discussion is useless.

If anyone else would like to discuss the matter (from either side) I'm always happy to learn more about it!

One good thing about this forum, it will be here for a while, so that we can look back and see just how much of a tragedy this over reach really is, pushed through by one party, "remember, you have to pass it to read what is in it", this was the first malfeasants of public office, the lie that was perpetrated by our President that "You will be able to keep your individual plans and doctors if you like them period" to later changing his statement to the American people to "You will be able to keep your individual plans and doctors if you like them period if it doesn't change", (second malfeasants of public office) to the glorious rollout fiasco. Yes, please compare this over reach to a COMMUNIST COUNTRY, because that seems to be where this is headed. Yes, the only way to fix this white elephant is a single payer system, which will be here well before 5 years I'm afraid. Then we will all be on Medicaid with the same insurance as everyone else EXCEPT for the entitled to include the politicians that voted for it, unions and anyone else that gets a waiver.

But you got to love liberals, who just can't admit when they are wrong even when it's starring them in the face. If this had been a republican president, he would have already been impeached.

Wow...What a rant...I bought you a present ...hope you enjoy...
...... http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4831242388506306&w=103&h=103&c=8&pid=3.1&qlt=90&rm=2

Having enjoyed a single payer system for 30+ years through two kids and relatives with terminal illnesses without ever receiving a medical bill, I can honestly say that I have never experienced a better system. The US system is about profit-care not health-care.

"What a stupid comparison East Ender has made."

Well, thank you for your kind and civil words. 😉

mtdoramike, you're too far gone to have an intelligent discussion with. Too much talk radio and vitriol have rotted your brain.

Bottom line is there is nothing I, or anyone else can say to you or show you that would make you change your mind.
Your opinions are not founded in reason or logic, therefore using them against you in a discussion is useless.

If anyone else would like to discuss the matter (from either side) I'm always happy to learn more about it!

REALLY, didn't your left wing leaning President Lie to the American People about HIS Health Care overhaul and rather than just say sorry for deceiving everyone because lets face it, this regime's philosophy has been from the get go ( the end will justify the means). I say this guy should be impeached. But then again, that would be looked upon as racist. "Your opinions are not founded in reason or logic" that is funny because I was about to post the same thing about your post as well. Please show me where your undying loyalty and support is justified here.

"Too much talk radio and vitriol have rotted your brain", I'm afraid too much sucking on the Obama hind tit has rotted yours.

Oh and might I add here that most of my family live in The Virgin Islands and wouldn't you know it, aren't eligible for the Affordable Care Act. But then again, what did they do without it for all of these years, they continue to do.

My wife and I receive employer based health care that was part of my benefit package upon retiring. Would any of you like to guess what I just got in the mail the other day? If you guessed a letter from HR saying that they are looking into "Other alternatives" for Health insurance coverage and are looking at all options. It seems the coverage that we have had and been happy with for the past 20 years is substandard according to Obama Care rules and regulations. My monthly health care premiums don't cost me a penny, my employer paid them and also half of my wife's monthly premium as well. We pay only $260.00 a month out of pocket for her share, we have a prescription plan where most of the prescriptions cost about $5.00 out of pocket, we also have a low deductible of $1000.00 for catastrophic coverage. Now what do you suppose my insurance cost will be just for me if they decide to drop us, you bet your sweet #$$&*(* it will not be FREE, especially since I have a heart condition.

So you are right, there isn't much you can say right now that would change my opinions on the ACA or Obama and his cronies .

One good thing about this forum, it will be here for a while, so that we can look back and see just how much of a tragedy this over reach really is, pushed through by one party, "remember, you have to pass it to read what is in it", this was the first malfeasants of public office, the lie that was perpetrated by our President that "You will be able to keep your individual plans and doctors if you like them period" to later changing his statement to the American people to "You will be able to keep your individual plans and doctors if you like them period if it doesn't change", (second malfeasants of public office) to the glorious rollout fiasco. Yes, please compare this over reach to a COMMUNIST COUNTRY, because that seems to be where this is headed. Yes, the only way to fix this white elephant is a single payer system, which will be here well before 5 years I'm afraid. Then we will all be on Medicaid with the same insurance as everyone else EXCEPT for the entitled to include the politicians that voted for it, unions and anyone else that gets a waiver.

But you got to love liberals, who just can't admit when they are wrong even when it's starring them in the face. If this had been a republican president, he would have already been impeached.

I'm sure most of you already know that Pelosi's comment was taken completely out of context. If you want to know what she really said, easy enough to google it and get the whole story. In a nutshell, she was addressing the fact the anti-ACA people were calling it a death panel, saying it was promoting abortion and all the other garbage that some would like us all to believe. I will TRY to explain this as best I can and hope it makes sense. What she meant was.....it's NOT a bad thing....it's a GOOD thing and once it's passed, you'll see what the real truth is. Until it's passed, people will still be unclear because of all the speculation and lies. And I do believe that to be just exactly what is happening. People ARE starting to like it, now that it has been passed and we can see what's in it. Pelosi was spot on with her comment!! Unfornately, she will go to her grave with that haunting her, since, as usual, with both parties, the other guys just go for the sound-bite, not the whole story.

When you go to the marketplace to shop plans, you can look for one that includes your doctor.

If you already have individual, or group, insurance, you can keep it. If you want to go to the marketplace and shop for a better deal, you can. Depends on your income, number in household, etc. I got a letter from my BCBS saying nothing is changing with my policy. They also offered to go over the marketplace options with me to see if I qualify for a subsidy. I have already used the Kaiser calulator, and according to that, my monthly premium should go down by $166. My income is fairly "middle class".

The President, Congress, etc. and anyone else in that income bracket does not qualify for a subsidy, so it's not just choosing to opt out of the ACA. They don't quality.

My wife and I receive employer based health care that was part of my benefit package upon retiring. Would any of you like to guess what I just got in the mail the other day? If you guessed a letter from HR saying that they are looking into "Other alternatives" for Health insurance coverage and are looking at all options. It seems the coverage that we have had and been happy with for the past 20 years is substandard according to Obama Care rules and regulations. My monthly health care premiums don't cost me a penny, my employer paid them and also half of my wife's monthly premium as well. We pay only $260.00 a month out of pocket for her share, we have a prescription plan where most of the prescriptions cost about $5.00 out of pocket, we also have a low deductible of $1000.00 for catastrophic coverage. Now what do you suppose my insurance cost will be just for me if they decide to drop us, you bet your sweet #$$&*(* it will not be FREE, especially since I have a heart condition.

Or you have convenient profiteering by the insurance company to dump a plan (your plan) that is no longer making them money and blame it on the ACA, which is happening left and right - and the conservatives get to yell themselves to bulging blood vessels at Obama about it, when it is those who are seeking an angle that are at fault. The truth is generally more in the middle than the extremes.

Your posts smack of brainwashing by right-wing media. I don't think any of us are claiming that Obama is the "golden boy" that you are putting words in our mouths - I myself acknowledge his failures, just as the Presidents before him. But what your posts have to say, it's more repeated rhetoric from Rush Limbaugh and FOX news and it's scary that someone can believe so far in conspiracy theories. This way of buying what has been sold for information as gospel when it is actually twisted and untrue is what is damaging and polarizing the USA today more than anything else.

This thread needs to move under the coconut tree.

I stopped and re-read my posts on this subject and once I re-read my posts, I realize that I came across as if I were attacking someone and a bit insulting so I owe everyone here an apology. If you felt that I was attacking you, insulting to you or made you feel uncomfortable with which ever view you choose or which ever opinions you have, I'm sorry. I have been spend most of my time at the hospital the last few days, we welcomed our first grand child into this world a few days ago, unfortunately 5 weeks early and due to complications we aren't sure when we will be able to bring him home. Then with all this going on, I get the dreaded dear John letter from Human Resources regarding our health care coverage. But this is no excuse for my public rant so for this I's sorry and I'm very sorry to the OP for hijacking their thread.

I deleted what the site would allow me to delete unfortunately not all of it could be deleted.

Again, I humbly apologize, this is one of those instances of "say it forget it, Write it regret it "

Individual Health Insurance in the VI....it will NEVER happen! We're all screwed! End of discussion! The VI gov't will never let it happen. There is nothing in it for them!

The VI gov't will never let it happen. There is nothing in it for them!

Most accurate statement I've read yet on this topic. The VI Govt does it's level best to prevent companies from doing business here. USAA has tried for years to be able to write homeowners insurance here but the the Govt stands in the way. They insist that if USAA does HO here those rates must be provided to everyone not just military. Way to go VI - prevent your vets and active duty from getting high quality & affordable HO rates because you can't bully the company into doing exactly what you want.

I stopped and re-read my posts on this subject and once I re-read my posts, I realize that I came across as if I were attacking someone and a bit insulting so I owe everyone here an apology. If you felt that I was attacking you, insulting to you or made you feel uncomfortable with which ever view you choose or which ever opinions you have, I'm sorry. I have been spend most of my time at the hospital the last few days, we welcomed our first grand child into this world a few days ago, unfortunately 5 weeks early and due to complications we aren't sure when we will be able to bring him home. Then with all this going on, I get the dreaded dear John letter from Human Resources regarding our health care coverage. But this is no excuse for my public rant so for this I's sorry and I'm very sorry to the OP for hijacking their thread.

I deleted what the site would allow me to delete unfortunately not all of it could be deleted.

Again, I humbly apologize, this is one of those instances of "say it forget it, Write it regret it "

No offense taken personally- I just got turned off by the fervor. Ironically I'm not a fan of Obama, or the democrats for that matter. That being said, Ill take inept over crazy! 😀

The ACA is something that needs to happen, plain and simple. Insurance companies gamed the system for far to long, and their policies were designed solely for profit- often at the ruin of hard working Americans.

60% of bankrupcies in this country are due to medical bills. Of those, 78% of the people HAD medical insurance. Tell me how that's fair? Right now, the only option for low income people is to go to the ER and stiff the hospital, which simply gets passed on to you. The whole system is broken, but the AHA improves some aspects of it.

Its not socialist, its not communist, its not fascist- its actually a right of center solution.
It needs to happen, and the sooner conservatives stop doing everything in their power to destroy the country and derail this, the better off everyone will be.

I stopped and re-read my posts on this subject and once I re-read my posts, I realize that I came across as if I were attacking someone and a bit insulting so I owe everyone here an apology. If you felt that I was attacking you, insulting to you or made you feel uncomfortable with which ever view you choose or which ever opinions you have, I'm sorry. I have been spend most of my time at the hospital the last few days, we welcomed our first grand child into this world a few days ago, unfortunately 5 weeks early and due to complications we aren't sure when we will be able to bring him home. Then with all this going on, I get the dreaded dear John letter from Human Resources regarding our health care coverage. But this is no excuse for my public rant so for this I's sorry and I'm very sorry to the OP for hijacking their thread.

I deleted what the site would allow me to delete unfortunately not all of it could be deleted.

Again, I humbly apologize, this is one of those instances of "say it forget it, Write it regret it "

No offense taken personally- I just got turned off by the fervor. Ironically I'm not a fan of Obama, or the democrats for that matter. That being said, Ill take inept over crazy! 😀

The ACA is something that needs to happen, plain and simple. Insurance companies gamed the system for far to long, and their policies were designed solely for profit- often at the ruin of hard working Americans.

60% of bankrupcies in this country are due to medical bills. Of those, 78% of the people HAD medical insurance. Tell me how that's fair? Right now, the only option for low income people is to go to the ER and stiff the hospital, which simply gets passed on to you. The whole system is broken, but the AHA improves some aspects of it.

Its not socialist, its not communist, its not fascist- its actually a right of center solution.
It needs to happen, and the sooner conservatives stop doing everything in their power to destroy the country and derail this, the better off everyone will be.

What a great comment. The US is out of touch with reality from a medical and insurance point of view. The right wing Republicans first proposed the ACA and implemented it in Massachusetts. They only opposed it when President Obama finally allowed it to pass as a compromise.

We need medical help, especially in the USVI. Universal health care, or at least a single payer health program is essential to our future well being. We should not leave this to the corrupt politicians, we need to take charge and assure that every American has access to proper health care.

Every health care user should be required to pay their responsible share....

Every health care user should be required to pay their responsible share....

If we have a proper single payer system, there will be no insurance companies involved. Your healthcare will be paid for through your annual tax contributions. Imagine never getting a medical bill every again. Now that would be progress.

Individual Health Care in the VI? It'll never happen. The VI Gov't is too greedy to even think about helping "their people"! Not enough money to line their pockets an they will give us NOTHING in return. IMO.

We seem to already have socialized healthcare on STX. Its seems few actually pay for any services at JFL. Why not go all the way and stop collecting altogether?

The sooner ObamaCare becomes a single payer system like Canada, France and many other progressive countries the better. We need to get these parasite insurance companies out of the picture and take the profit out of healthcare. Additionally, we need tort reform so frivolous healthcare lawsuits can be eliminated too. Its coming, but not quick enough.

This was the plan from the git go. That is why you haven't heard a word from Harry Reid (daddy Obama) or Nancy Pelosi (momma Obama) about the troubles and issues with the new rollout. They Know the only fix for this travesty is a single payer system. But this is what happens when one political party controls both houses and the presidency, it reminds me of a quote "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

I think you're being a bit dramatic, its hardly a 'travesty'. You know what would make it a lot smoother? If republican governors and other legislators would stop doing absolutely everything in their power to prevent it from going smoothly.

Its the equivalent of your wife buying a car you don't like, you then slash all the tires and take a sledgehammer to the engine, then sit back and see "I told you this car was a piece of shit and will never work!".

Not just Obamacare! it is the same spiteful contrariness the Tea Party and like minded Republicans have been doing with everything President Obama has tried. Shameful, and a bad form, that the rest of the world thinks less of us for.

If the USVI had chosen to create an insurance exchange to insure the people here, at least we would have an option. Instead, they chose to just increase the Medicaid population, once again, screwing anyone who works and contributes to society. To get ahead here, just pop out 10 kids and don't get married. They have it figured out, we are the dumb ones. You would have insurance for life for you and all of your family, a generous income over 100,000 net a year and free food and housing. All at the expense of those of us who work. The insurance companies dropped VI residents partially because the sickness of a population that doesn't believe in education, exercise or healthy eating is overwhelming. Love to hear people say, "but where is Obamacare". You wanted change...you got it.

Everyone I know that works in the restaurant business or independantly uses Healthcare International and they all seem very happy with it.

Those wanting obamacare do realize that gvt intereference in the market place is why health care costs are so high to begin with?

And More gvt interefernce is the answer? Sigh.......

I think its the bloodsucking insurances companies and malpractice lawyers myself.

Those wanting obamacare do realize that gvt intereference in the market place is why health care costs are so high to begin with?

And More gvt interefernce is the answer? Sigh.......

That is kind of the way I feel. I was notified by HR (Human Resources) that they have scheduled a meeting regarding our insurance options next week and all employees and retirees are requested to attend. This isn't looking to good because all the options that I have been able to contemplate will cost me more money each month. The question is just how much.

I think its the bloodsucking insurances companies and malpractice lawyers myself.

Absolutely. I used to work for the CEO of a major insurance line. His office was bigger than most people's houses, and absolutely palatial. He had a huge full marble bath with a steam sauna in his OFFICE. And you should see his artwork collection! Don't get me started on his houses, or the condo he kept in another city for his mistress. Oh and all the executives had a white tablecloth lunch served every day in the executive suites served by servers in tuxedos.

Follow the money. Government regulation isn't the problem, greed is. Greed is the number one reason for the decline in the USVI as well.