Cristy Li

Covered California Still Having Computer Issues
Says Mrs. Mochulsky and EscapadeMusic@Twitter

(IBD) ObamaCare/Covered California trumpeted the news on Monday that premiums are set to rise 4% in 2016 slightly less than last years 4.2% increase.

While avoiding the double-digit premium hikes that have been proposed in many other states, many consumers may not be so celebratory when they find out what is happening to their deductibles which are already sky high.

Particularly hardest hit are people seeking the lowest cost ‘bronze-level’ coverage. In 2016 these plans will carry a deductible of $6,000 (an increase of $1,000 from 2015) and a separate drug deductible of $500 — After the deductible is met bronze coverage will cap R/X costs at $500 mo the combined $6,500 deductible will then be 30% higher than in 2015

• Flashback: Remember when Hoax N’ Chains promised lied how ObamaCare was going to lower health insurance premiums by $2500 annually when exactly were those costs savings going to kick in?
  

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said in a conference call that in 2016 a visit with a Specialist (with a $90 co-pay) will be allowed as part of three partly covered physician visits, left unsaid is that low income individuals facing a $6,500 deductible could easily be swamped with debt after getting limited benefits before the deductible is met. — This is perhaps ObamaCare/Covered California Achilles’ heel given that enrollment has badly lagged expectations.

Related: Covered California Rates Jump 7% in Northern California