Your Medical Plan $Changes/Increases for 2011?

[bearishgurl]

[quote=meadandale][quote=bearishgurl]
I HAVE a HDHP but no HSA (I don’t have “wages” to withold an HSA from). . .[/quote]

That’s a high deductible for a HDHP…and I don’t think that you have to have *wages* in order to contribute to an HSA. I’m self employed and although I pay myself a salary, my company pays my HSA contribution every month as part of my medical benefit. Both the premiums and the HSA contribution end up being medical benefits at the end of the year and are a line item deduction.[/quote]

Meadandale, my “deductible” is only $5,000. But my co-insurance portion is $8,000. Practically speaking, I pay very little co-insurance every year, because I just use the 100%-covered “preventative care” benefits. So the whole (or nearly the whole) $8,000 co-insurance would kick in if I landed in the hospital. Years ago (before I was on an indiv. plan), I was in the hospital for just 40 hours and my bill was nearly $11,000. My health plan at the time paid 75% of it, I got the rest written down some and made a deal with the hospital to pay the balance off in 6 mos. with 0% interest, which I did.

I know I can open an HSA on my own, but don’t want or need one as I’m in a very low tax bracket. My premiums alone now nearly equal 7.5% of my gross income BEFORE any co-pays or deductibles. Due to my recent premium hike, I will probably be able to take the medical deduction on my tax return and pay NO tax for 2011, even if I NEVER use ANY care next year!

[PatentGuy]

We have approx 30 FT employees (located throughout California), and our insurance plans only went up 14-15% over last year. Emphasis on only.

We buy through some sort of insurance brokerage that bundles small businesses for obtaining allegedly better rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Emphasis on allegedly.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but these kinds of increases while our earnings continue to be down (40% off from 2007) does not bode well for our ability to keep offering employees medical insurance.

[PatentGuy]

We have approx 30 FT employees (located throughout California), and our insurance plans only went up 14-15% over last year. Emphasis on only.

We buy through some sort of insurance brokerage that bundles small businesses for obtaining allegedly better rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Emphasis on allegedly.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but these kinds of increases while our earnings continue to be down (40% off from 2007) does not bode well for our ability to keep offering employees medical insurance.

[PatentGuy]

We have approx 30 FT employees (located throughout California), and our insurance plans only went up 14-15% over last year. Emphasis on only.

We buy through some sort of insurance brokerage that bundles small businesses for obtaining allegedly better rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Emphasis on allegedly.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but these kinds of increases while our earnings continue to be down (40% off from 2007) does not bode well for our ability to keep offering employees medical insurance.

[PatentGuy]

We have approx 30 FT employees (located throughout California), and our insurance plans only went up 14-15% over last year. Emphasis on only.

We buy through some sort of insurance brokerage that bundles small businesses for obtaining allegedly better rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Emphasis on allegedly.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but these kinds of increases while our earnings continue to be down (40% off from 2007) does not bode well for our ability to keep offering employees medical insurance.

[PatentGuy]

We have approx 30 FT employees (located throughout California), and our insurance plans only went up 14-15% over last year. Emphasis on only.

We buy through some sort of insurance brokerage that bundles small businesses for obtaining allegedly better rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Emphasis on allegedly.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but these kinds of increases while our earnings continue to be down (40% off from 2007) does not bode well for our ability to keep offering employees medical insurance.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=SK in CV]If you haven’t had these sorts of YOY increases in the past you’re unique. I don’t even consider it huge. My premiums increased 311% over the last 9 years (for a policy year beginning 7/1/10). Three times over that period, premiums increased by more than 25% in a single year. My experience was only slightly higher than most because of my particular employee census. That you’ve never had those kinds of increases is almost shocking. Twenty percent a year has been pretty typical . . .[/quote]

SK, I just figured out my premiums have gone up 253% since 2004 and this is the first year they have actually gone up 20%. All during that time, I was enrolled in the same HDHP. And no, I did not recently hit a new “age bracket.” My carrier has a new “age-bracket” for EVERY age.

[quote=SK in CV]Certainly the possiblity exists that increases were accelerated in anticipation of some price controls under the new law which won’t take effect for a few years.

But we certainly weren’t promised any declines in premiums, before the law even takes effect. Anyone that was expecting that wasn’t paying attention.[/quote]

Didn’t expect declines, SK, but also didn’t expect to pay for all my “contemporaries'” health problems, either, in the form of an undeserved much higher premium on an HDHP. And it’s not over yet.

[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]Unfortunately, the loss of full-time jobs will continue to be the fallout from the HCRA. I see many firms with just over 50 employees begin to pare down their workforces to <49 employees before 2014 to avoid being mandated to offer health coverage.[/quote]

That makes no sense. Why would any company intentionally shrink now, because of costs that may rise 3 years from now? I'm not disputing that you're seeing it, but I'm in contact with a few dozen businesses every month in that same size range, and not a single one has moved in that direction. Some of those currently under 50 employees are ecstatic with the new tax credits that will help them pay their employees insurance, beginning this year.[/quote]

SK, I never stated that employers are shrinking their workforces RIGHT NOW. I stated that they WILL by 1/1/14 if they have just over 50 employees today and can easily retire some and/or not fill openings to have *under 50* employees by 1/1/14. This unnoticeable "RIF over time" wouldn't be very hard to plan for and implement.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=SK in CV]If you haven’t had these sorts of YOY increases in the past you’re unique. I don’t even consider it huge. My premiums increased 311% over the last 9 years (for a policy year beginning 7/1/10). Three times over that period, premiums increased by more than 25% in a single year. My experience was only slightly higher than most because of my particular employee census. That you’ve never had those kinds of increases is almost shocking. Twenty percent a year has been pretty typical . . .[/quote]

SK, I just figured out my premiums have gone up 253% since 2004 and this is the first year they have actually gone up 20%. All during that time, I was enrolled in the same HDHP. And no, I did not recently hit a new “age bracket.” My carrier has a new “age-bracket” for EVERY age.

[quote=SK in CV]Certainly the possiblity exists that increases were accelerated in anticipation of some price controls under the new law which won’t take effect for a few years.

But we certainly weren’t promised any declines in premiums, before the law even takes effect. Anyone that was expecting that wasn’t paying attention.[/quote]

Didn’t expect declines, SK, but also didn’t expect to pay for all my “contemporaries'” health problems, either, in the form of an undeserved much higher premium on an HDHP. And it’s not over yet.

[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]Unfortunately, the loss of full-time jobs will continue to be the fallout from the HCRA. I see many firms with just over 50 employees begin to pare down their workforces to <49 employees before 2014 to avoid being mandated to offer health coverage.[/quote]

That makes no sense. Why would any company intentionally shrink now, because of costs that may rise 3 years from now? I'm not disputing that you're seeing it, but I'm in contact with a few dozen businesses every month in that same size range, and not a single one has moved in that direction. Some of those currently under 50 employees are ecstatic with the new tax credits that will help them pay their employees insurance, beginning this year.[/quote]

SK, I never stated that employers are shrinking their workforces RIGHT NOW. I stated that they WILL by 1/1/14 if they have just over 50 employees today and can easily retire some and/or not fill openings to have *under 50* employees by 1/1/14. This unnoticeable "RIF over time" wouldn't be very hard to plan for and implement.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=SK in CV]If you haven’t had these sorts of YOY increases in the past you’re unique. I don’t even consider it huge. My premiums increased 311% over the last 9 years (for a policy year beginning 7/1/10). Three times over that period, premiums increased by more than 25% in a single year. My experience was only slightly higher than most because of my particular employee census. That you’ve never had those kinds of increases is almost shocking. Twenty percent a year has been pretty typical . . .[/quote]

SK, I just figured out my premiums have gone up 253% since 2004 and this is the first year they have actually gone up 20%. All during that time, I was enrolled in the same HDHP. And no, I did not recently hit a new “age bracket.” My carrier has a new “age-bracket” for EVERY age.

[quote=SK in CV]Certainly the possiblity exists that increases were accelerated in anticipation of some price controls under the new law which won’t take effect for a few years.

But we certainly weren’t promised any declines in premiums, before the law even takes effect. Anyone that was expecting that wasn’t paying attention.[/quote]

Didn’t expect declines, SK, but also didn’t expect to pay for all my “contemporaries'” health problems, either, in the form of an undeserved much higher premium on an HDHP. And it’s not over yet.

[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]Unfortunately, the loss of full-time jobs will continue to be the fallout from the HCRA. I see many firms with just over 50 employees begin to pare down their workforces to <49 employees before 2014 to avoid being mandated to offer health coverage.[/quote]

That makes no sense. Why would any company intentionally shrink now, because of costs that may rise 3 years from now? I'm not disputing that you're seeing it, but I'm in contact with a few dozen businesses every month in that same size range, and not a single one has moved in that direction. Some of those currently under 50 employees are ecstatic with the new tax credits that will help them pay their employees insurance, beginning this year.[/quote]

SK, I never stated that employers are shrinking their workforces RIGHT NOW. I stated that they WILL by 1/1/14 if they have just over 50 employees today and can easily retire some and/or not fill openings to have *under 50* employees by 1/1/14. This unnoticeable "RIF over time" wouldn't be very hard to plan for and implement.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=SK in CV]If you haven’t had these sorts of YOY increases in the past you’re unique. I don’t even consider it huge. My premiums increased 311% over the last 9 years (for a policy year beginning 7/1/10). Three times over that period, premiums increased by more than 25% in a single year. My experience was only slightly higher than most because of my particular employee census. That you’ve never had those kinds of increases is almost shocking. Twenty percent a year has been pretty typical . . .[/quote]

SK, I just figured out my premiums have gone up 253% since 2004 and this is the first year they have actually gone up 20%. All during that time, I was enrolled in the same HDHP. And no, I did not recently hit a new “age bracket.” My carrier has a new “age-bracket” for EVERY age.

[quote=SK in CV]Certainly the possiblity exists that increases were accelerated in anticipation of some price controls under the new law which won’t take effect for a few years.

But we certainly weren’t promised any declines in premiums, before the law even takes effect. Anyone that was expecting that wasn’t paying attention.[/quote]

Didn’t expect declines, SK, but also didn’t expect to pay for all my “contemporaries'” health problems, either, in the form of an undeserved much higher premium on an HDHP. And it’s not over yet.

[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]Unfortunately, the loss of full-time jobs will continue to be the fallout from the HCRA. I see many firms with just over 50 employees begin to pare down their workforces to <49 employees before 2014 to avoid being mandated to offer health coverage.[/quote]

That makes no sense. Why would any company intentionally shrink now, because of costs that may rise 3 years from now? I'm not disputing that you're seeing it, but I'm in contact with a few dozen businesses every month in that same size range, and not a single one has moved in that direction. Some of those currently under 50 employees are ecstatic with the new tax credits that will help them pay their employees insurance, beginning this year.[/quote]

SK, I never stated that employers are shrinking their workforces RIGHT NOW. I stated that they WILL by 1/1/14 if they have just over 50 employees today and can easily retire some and/or not fill openings to have *under 50* employees by 1/1/14. This unnoticeable "RIF over time" wouldn't be very hard to plan for and implement.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=SK in CV]If you haven’t had these sorts of YOY increases in the past you’re unique. I don’t even consider it huge. My premiums increased 311% over the last 9 years (for a policy year beginning 7/1/10). Three times over that period, premiums increased by more than 25% in a single year. My experience was only slightly higher than most because of my particular employee census. That you’ve never had those kinds of increases is almost shocking. Twenty percent a year has been pretty typical . . .[/quote]

SK, I just figured out my premiums have gone up 253% since 2004 and this is the first year they have actually gone up 20%. All during that time, I was enrolled in the same HDHP. And no, I did not recently hit a new “age bracket.” My carrier has a new “age-bracket” for EVERY age.

[quote=SK in CV]Certainly the possiblity exists that increases were accelerated in anticipation of some price controls under the new law which won’t take effect for a few years.

But we certainly weren’t promised any declines in premiums, before the law even takes effect. Anyone that was expecting that wasn’t paying attention.[/quote]

Didn’t expect declines, SK, but also didn’t expect to pay for all my “contemporaries'” health problems, either, in the form of an undeserved much higher premium on an HDHP. And it’s not over yet.

[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]Unfortunately, the loss of full-time jobs will continue to be the fallout from the HCRA. I see many firms with just over 50 employees begin to pare down their workforces to <49 employees before 2014 to avoid being mandated to offer health coverage.[/quote]

That makes no sense. Why would any company intentionally shrink now, because of costs that may rise 3 years from now? I'm not disputing that you're seeing it, but I'm in contact with a few dozen businesses every month in that same size range, and not a single one has moved in that direction. Some of those currently under 50 employees are ecstatic with the new tax credits that will help them pay their employees insurance, beginning this year.[/quote]

SK, I never stated that employers are shrinking their workforces RIGHT NOW. I stated that they WILL by 1/1/14 if they have just over 50 employees today and can easily retire some and/or not fill openings to have *under 50* employees by 1/1/14. This unnoticeable "RIF over time" wouldn't be very hard to plan for and implement.

[PatentGuy]

Any time the government takes from some and gives to others, the people being taken from don’t like it, and the people on the receiving end like it.

As far as I can tell, the people on the receiving end of health care $$$ are first and foremost the insurance companies. But, I’m sure lots of entities have their hand in the pot.

Bearishgurl, you are being a bit hard on the “newly insurable.” Do you feel this way about people you already subsidize with food stamps or medicare or [fill in the blank]? Obama made no secret during his campaign that he was all about wealth redistribution. He was overwhelmingly elected, so I assume people who voted for him were OK with his plans for wealth redistribution. Did you vote for him? If so, you got what you voted for.

[PatentGuy]

Any time the government takes from some and gives to others, the people being taken from don’t like it, and the people on the receiving end like it.

As far as I can tell, the people on the receiving end of health care $$$ are first and foremost the insurance companies. But, I’m sure lots of entities have their hand in the pot.

Bearishgurl, you are being a bit hard on the “newly insurable.” Do you feel this way about people you already subsidize with food stamps or medicare or [fill in the blank]? Obama made no secret during his campaign that he was all about wealth redistribution. He was overwhelmingly elected, so I assume people who voted for him were OK with his plans for wealth redistribution. Did you vote for him? If so, you got what you voted for.

[PatentGuy]

Any time the government takes from some and gives to others, the people being taken from don’t like it, and the people on the receiving end like it.

As far as I can tell, the people on the receiving end of health care $$$ are first and foremost the insurance companies. But, I’m sure lots of entities have their hand in the pot.

Bearishgurl, you are being a bit hard on the “newly insurable.” Do you feel this way about people you already subsidize with food stamps or medicare or [fill in the blank]? Obama made no secret during his campaign that he was all about wealth redistribution. He was overwhelmingly elected, so I assume people who voted for him were OK with his plans for wealth redistribution. Did you vote for him? If so, you got what you voted for.

[PatentGuy]

Any time the government takes from some and gives to others, the people being taken from don’t like it, and the people on the receiving end like it.

As far as I can tell, the people on the receiving end of health care $$$ are first and foremost the insurance companies. But, I’m sure lots of entities have their hand in the pot.

Bearishgurl, you are being a bit hard on the “newly insurable.” Do you feel this way about people you already subsidize with food stamps or medicare or [fill in the blank]? Obama made no secret during his campaign that he was all about wealth redistribution. He was overwhelmingly elected, so I assume people who voted for him were OK with his plans for wealth redistribution. Did you vote for him? If so, you got what you voted for.

[Author]

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