Obamacare and CPAP costs...

[taberge]

Now that Obamacare will be fully implemented, I wonder what is going to happen to costs on our machines since they will be taxed taxed and taxed? How much more is it going to cost us? Will sites like CPAP.com survive?

[RandyJ]

The tax has been reported to be 2.3%. It may be early to say, but it doesn't sound like it's going to break the bank.

[ughwhatname]

Maybe we could argue that the equipment falls under "Preventive Care" which must be fully funded by the insurance companies. Of course, that just passes the expenses on to all the insureds...

Now that Obamacare will be fully implemented, I wonder what is going to happen to costs on our machines since they will be taxed taxed and taxed? How much more is it going to cost us? Will sites like CPAP.com survive?

[lindaF]

My husband has been unemployed for 3 years now. My insurance, because I use CPAP, went up to 1000 per month. We had to drop it. Now I have been told, I can't get insurance EVER because I had to drop it and use CPAP. Is there a solution for this? How is it good for people with sleep apnea to be encouraged to not be tested and get the machine because some day, they may not be able to get insurance to cover them for major problems. We had 5000 deductible and it was 1000 for me. Is this the way Obama gets rid of the older people and cuts his budget?

[Drowsy Dancer]

Now I have been told, I can't get insurance EVER because I had to drop it and use CPAP.

Hang on. The *laws* regarding health insurance and pre-existing conditions has changed substantially over the last several years. From http://www.pcip.gov:

The Health Insurance Marketplace

Starting next year, the Affordable Care Act guarantees that all Americans – regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions – will finally have access to quality, affordable coverage. People will be able to apply for affordable health insurance coverage choices in Health Insurance Marketplaces when open enrollment begins on October 1 [2013]. The Health Insurance Marketplace will offer a choice of quality, affordable health plans. Coverage begins on January 1, 2014. Visit http://www.healthcare.gov to learn more about the Marketplace.

There are some issues with the current *marketplace* a/k/a the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. New enrollments were suspended on 2/18/2013:

Why is PCIP enrollment being suspended?
PCIP is a temporary program for those locked out of the current insurance marketplace. The program has a limited amount of funding from Congress.

Based on program experience and trends since the start of the program, PCIP enrollees have serious and expensive illnesses with significant and immediate health care needs. More information can be found in the Annual Report on the Implementation and Operation of the PCIP Program at http://www.cciio.cms.gov/resources/file ... 312013.pdf.

This suspension will help ensure that funds are available through 2013 to continuously cover people currently enrolled in PCIP.

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/ ... index.html

[johnthomasmacdonald]

My husband has been unemployed for 3 years now. My insurance, because I use CPAP, went up to 1000 per month. We had to drop it. Now I have been told, I can't get insurance EVER because I had to drop it and use CPAP. Is there a solution for this? How is it good for people with sleep apnea to be encouraged to not be tested and get the machine because some day, they may not be able to get insurance to cover them for major problems. We had 5000 deductible and it was 1000 for me. Is this the way Obama gets rid of the older people and cuts his budget?

Are you aware that it hasn't even kicked in YET???? One of the main changes under obamacare is that they will not be able to deny you coverage for pre-existing conditions or charge you higher for it -


People with Pre-existing Conditions

Under ObamaCare, all individuals, including chronically ill children and their parents, can rest easy knowing they cannot be denied affordable, life-saving health care.

Before ObamaCare, children under the age of 19 could be refused health insurance due to pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, asthma or HIV/AIDS, but no longer. Under the new law, health plans that cover children cannot deny or limit them coverage.

No individual with a pre-existing condition or chronic disease of any kind can be locked out of the health care market under ObamaCare.

Before ObamaCare went into effect, health care plans for those with pre-existing conditions were often priced way out of reach.

Under the new Affordable Care Act, these individuals can now access insurance through a temporary bridge program called the PCIS, or Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.

State-by-state enrollment is available in the PCIS, which may be administered by either the state or federal government in your area.

Benefits and premiums also vary from state to state
.
By 2014, full protection for people of all ages with pre-existing conditions will go into effect.

These new rules do not apply to individual, grandfathered health insurance policies. A grandfathered plan is one you bought on or before March 23, 2010. This is to ensure that you can keep a plan you currently have if you so choose.