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I am starting a new thread because after struggling the existing thread with 6 pages of I love/hate Obamacare, starting a new company, discussions of VIHealthcare.org and other opinions, I can't find a list of facts...
Can someone please provide a list of companies offering non-Medicare, family plans starting 2014?
So far I found:
a) HealthCare International ( http://www.healthcareinternational.com) -- a UK company. My understanding is that the option "worldwide coverage including USA". Online quote worked.
b) CIGNA. Online quote worked.
others?
Questions:
- What insurance plans are accepted by doctors, clinics and hospitals here?
- If filing taxes in the USVI in 2014, will we need an ACA-compliant plan or be fined?
Please, facts only. I pay for Tylenol out of pocket and I consumed a few reading the previous thread!
Posted : December 10, 2013 1:16 pm
You cannot be fined for not complying with ACA since it is not available here.
Posted : December 10, 2013 2:58 pm
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of PR
United Healthcare
MAPFRE
Posted : December 10, 2013 3:30 pm
Ignore first post.
Going to cigna.com and clicking View Plans brings up a state list that does not include the VI.
So how did you get a quote for the VI?
Posted : December 10, 2013 4:57 pm
Also tried the PR BCBS site but could not get anything in English to get a quote.
Posted : December 10, 2013 5:08 pm
United Healthcare is not issuing new plans in the VI, at least they weren't two months ago. This is one of the reasons we had to move off island. Doctors do take it, but you must have a stateside plan that will cover you internationally (yes most plans consider the VI international).
Posted : December 10, 2013 5:11 pm
BCBS is accepted by doctors here. That was your question.
No one said that you could BUY it here.
Posted : December 10, 2013 5:12 pm
United Healthcare is issuing new policies; BCBS is sold on STX.
Marshall & Sterling 773-2170
Gotts & Associates 332-1579
Posted : December 10, 2013 5:34 pm
I'll repeat my earlier info.
Here are some ideas:
- Sign up with Healthcare International. It's the only individual health insurance that's writing new policies, that I'm aware of. More info at: https://www.vimovingcenter.com/talk/read.php?4,185065
- Get a job where the employer provides health insurance
- Create a small business with at least two employees (like you and your spouse) and provide group health insurance to your employees (yourselves)
And I'll add:
HealthCare International excludes pre-existing conditions or charges more for them, so it may or may not be a viable option for a specific individual or family.
Your options in the USVI are limited.
Posted : December 11, 2013 11:32 am
Topic starter
Thank you all for the information.
Update 1: @quirion I selected Global Health http://www.cigna.com/international I then received a written quote from Healthcare International after a phone call with a representative based in Scotland... and it looks like it is underwritten by CIGNA. Prices shoot through the roof if the "USA" option is added. In other words coverage is available, but it is much more expensive to get covered for trips to the 50 states.
Update 2: @Boyd46 United Healthcare does not issue individual/family plans https://www.uhone.com/Quote/?LeadSourceName=UHC-website -- where did you see it?
Update 3: @quirion I tried BCBS of Puerto Rico. With some school yard spanish and Google translator I got a little further. But at the point of "acquiring" a policy, it requires choosing a rsidence between "Meter North South This West Vieques Snake". My spanish is not good enough to call them directly, but that seems like a dead end.
Update 4: @Boyd46 I went to MAPFRE -- looks like a Spanish company. It seems they only underwrite in Spain. Would you please share the website?
Posted : December 11, 2013 9:56 pm
Update 1: @quirion I selected Global Health http://www.cigna.com/international I then received a written quote from Healthcare International after a phone call with a representative based in Scotland... and it looks like it is underwritten by CIGNA. Prices shoot through the roof if the "USA" option is added. In other words coverage is available, but it is much more expensive to get covered for trips to the 50 states.
When I last looked at Healthcare International, you only needed the more expensive "including USA" option if your travel to the US exceeded 30 or 60 days total per policy year, depending on the plan.
Posted : December 12, 2013 1:43 am
Topic starter
Here are the rates for United Healthcare if you are a business:
Posted : December 13, 2013 12:45 pm
if you call a business in puerto rico, just ask for someone to speak english. i have to call pr a few times a week for work and there is usually someone who can speak english with you
Posted : December 13, 2013 1:04 pm
if you call a business in puerto rico, just ask for someone to speak english. i have to call pr a few times a week for work and there is usually someone who can speak english with you
Ha, ha! I know of someone who called one of the hospitals for an emergency situation and could not get an English speaker on the phone.
Posted : December 13, 2013 1:07 pm
oops, i guess i should amend that to say only the businesses i deal with
Posted : December 13, 2013 4:51 pm
P.S. BC/BS sent out a letter indicating that the premium for a small business policy was going up 6% (on top of the 12% it already went up last year) for provisions of the Unaffordable Care Act which are coming on line this month. Oh, Brave New World!!
Posted : January 19, 2014 2:53 pm
