The Affordable Care Act(ACA) has turned out to be a flawed program, the program has helped a number of normally uninsured people obtain coverage and receive a subsidy to reduce the costs; however, the ACA has also punished health people who make more than the subsidy levels. The increase in cost for 2018 have simply made the unaffordable care act even more unaffordable. It appears the Individual Mandate(financial penalty for not signing up for ACA) will be eliminated for 2018.
This opens the door for a Short-Term Major Medical Policies. The problem with short-term policy is they do NOT cover pre-existing conditions; however, they can be purchased throughout the year not just during the open enrollment which ends 12-15-2017. In addition to a short term policy a person can add a few policies: Fixed Indemnity, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance and Vision. I have chosen to go this route since my ACA policy increased from $720 to $926 a month....so much for AFFORDABLE....and this is the cost for a person who did NOT use their Silver program during 2017.
I have found taking out a short-term policy with $10,000 deductible, then adding Golden Rule Accident Safeguard Plan C (will pay inpatient, outpatient, surgical benefits) such as initial outpatient office visit will pay me $150(this should cover most of a doctors visit). Then added a Critical Illness with Golden Rule for $10,000-this pays cash for a qualifying serious illness which can be used to pay for your life needs: mortgage, clothing, food etc. Finally I added a Golden Rule Health Protector Guard which also fills the gap for you to pay deductibles, co-insurance, non-covered expenses. These add on policies are paid directly to insured, not the hospital, doctor or labs. Additionally a person is not limited by in or out of network, pay is the same.
These 4 policies will cost me a combined total of $404 a month vs ACA Silver policy of $926 a month with $7,000 deductible. Obviously, a person requiring many doctor visits a year will be better served with an ACA policy; however, for those of you who rarely go to a doctor this option is excellent. There is a small hassle filling out a new short-term application every 2 months; however, the 3 additional policies are 1 year policies and can be paid monthly. If you would like more information please contact Flanigan Insurance @ 314-727-6000.