After trying a couple of times a week since the the October 1 rollout, I was finally able to successfully enroll in a healthcare plan on the healthcare.gov website.
There is only one provider in New Hampshire: Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I had my choice of five bronze plans, three silver plans, two gold plans. Anthem does not offer a platinum plan in New Hampshire.
I am a single, self-employed male, age 59. I have had no health insurance since July of 2010, when I lost COBRA coverage on my wife’s employer’s plan. I selected a silver plan which costs $592 per month. I am eligible for a federal tax credit of $486 per month. My total monthly premium will be $106.
What will I get for my $106? Annual deductible of $750. Annual out of pocket maximum of $1500.
$20 co-payment for primary care doctor visits. No co-insurance for primary care doctor’s visits.
Specialist visits - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
X-rays and diagnostic imaging - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Laboratory and outpatient professional services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Emergency room care - $100 Copay before deductible In-Network; $100 Copay before deductible Out-of-Network
Inpatient doctor and surgical services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Inpatient hospital services (like a hospital stay) - $250 Copay per Stay In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Hearing aids - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network; 1 Item(s) per Episode
Generic drugs - $15 In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Preferred brand drugs - $35 In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Non-preferred brand drugs - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Specialty drugs - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Three month in-network mail order pharmacy benefit - Yes
Prescription drug deductible - Included in Combined Medical & Drug Deductible
Prescription drug out-of-pocket maximum - Included in Combined Medical & Drug Maximum Out-of-Pocket
Other benefits:
Asthma - Asthma program available
Heart disease - Heart disease program available
Depression - Depression program available
Diabetes - Diabetes program available
High blood pressure & high cholesterol - High blood pressure & cholesterol program available
Low back pain - Low back pain program available
Pain management - Pain management program available
Pregnancy - Pregnancy program available
Weight loss programs - Weight management program not available
Acupuncture - Not Covered
Chiropractic care - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network; 12 Visit(s) per year
Infertility treatment - Not Covered
Mental/behavioral health outpatient services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Mental/behavioral health inpatient services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network
Habillitative services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network; 60 Visit(s) per Year ; Limits and Exclusions Apply
Bariatric services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network; Limits and Exclusions Apply
Outpatient rehabilitative services - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network; 60 Visit(s) per Year ; Limits and Exclusions Apply
Skilled Nursing Facility care - No Charge After Deductible In-Network; Not Covered Out-of-Network; 100 Days per year
I am very satisfied with the coverage. It is comprehensive, and very affordable. I feel like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and I can look forward to the future without dreading every little ache and pain.
If you have dismissed Obamacare as unworkable or some kind of bait and switch, I encourage you to have another look, and try the website again. It worked flawlessly for me today, in the middle of the afternoon.