[quote=bearishgurl]
Aecetia, I have an Aetna Advantage PPO individual plan. My rates have increased 3x since the passage of the HCRA. Overall, they have gone up 8.5% in these three rate hikes. During this time, I have only filed minimal claims for routine care.
Due to age and the fact that I am “grandfathered in” on a certain plan configuration which was no longer offered in their individual lineup after the passage of HCRA, I am reluctant to disturb it. I can only hope for the best until I reach the age of 65 (assuming Medicare is still around), and then convert it to a Medicare supplement and “Part D” policy.[/quote]
I assure you that nothing in the ACA caused those increases. I know this because I’ve actually read the bill, and know that there hasn’t been any substantial burden on insurance companies that have gone into effect yet. (covering kids up to age 26? A money maker for insurance companies. Thats a demographic that rarely consumes health care dollars. Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross internal numbers put the increased burden as a result of the ACA at 2.4 and 2.6% respectively for calendar year 2012. Zero for 2010 and 2011.) Insurance companies raise rates when they can. It’s highly likely that 2012 will be an extraordinarily competitive year for group coverage in most of the country, and rates may even fall.
I presume you’re aware that an 8.5% increase over the last 2 1/2 years is substantially less than average increases over the previous 10 years? That would be things getting better, not worse.
What exactly makes your plan grandfathered?
Are you saying you have a multi-year contract that can’t be changed or withdrawn? I wasn’t aware those contracts existed.
