# Ask the Guy who successfully enrolled in Obamacare on the healthcare.gov website **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 5, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183 "2013-11-05T21:49:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/1 "2013-11-05T21:49:29Z")
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](http://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. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/2 "2013-11-05T22:15:04Z")
Did you feel like you hit the lottery when you finally got through? Before you succeeded, was there a particular spot in the process you kept getting stuck? Congrats, here’s to hoping Obamacare doesn’t go down the toilet in the next election cycle. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/3 "2013-11-05T22:22:51Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Did you feel like you hit the lottery when you finally got through? Yes, I was very surprised. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was working, then I realized I was definitely getting further than I ever had before. > [@](#): > > Before you succeeded, was there a particular spot in the process you kept getting stuck? I was able to submit my application, but unable to view plans or actually enroll in one. All of a sudden, when I clicked on the ENROLL button, it worked! > [@](#): > > Congrats, here’s to hoping Obamacare doesn’t go down the toilet in the next election cycle. From your lips to Og’s ear. I wonder if people who get enrolled will be able to keep their coverage if anti-Obamacare forces prevail? I’m not really too worried about the midterm elections, and 2016 is just too far off to predict. ---
**Author:** ![thisishowwepray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@thisishowwepray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thisishowwepray)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/4 "2013-11-05T22:36:27Z")
That’s great coverage. The mental health coverage seems excellent! ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/5 "2013-11-05T22:43:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > 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. That’s delightful. I am starting a business and there is no way I could afford a $600 / month health insurance premium. But I make just a little bit too much money to qualify for any subsidy. Nevertheless, the government is going to take my tax dollars and subsidize a plan for you which is much more expensive and comprehensive than I can afford to buy for myself. So, uh, congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/6 "2013-11-05T22:45:55Z")
The strength of Obamacare is guaranteeing [minimum benefits for all plans offered on the exchanges](https://www.healthcare.gov/what-does-marketplace-health-insurance-cover/): > [@](#): > > All private health insurance plans offered in the Marketplace will offer the same set of essential health benefits. These are services all plans must cover. > > The essential health benefits include at least the following items and services: > > Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital) > Emergency services > Hospitalization (such as surgery) > Maternity and newborn care (care before and after your baby is born) > Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy) > Prescription drugs > Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills) > Laboratory services > Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management > Pediatric services > Essential health benefits are minimum requirements for all plans in the Marketplace. Plans may offer additional coverage. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/7 "2013-11-05T22:46:53Z")
Considering what you hear on Fox News and other sources, that made from a satisfyingly ironic username/topic combo. Congrats on having health coverage again. May I suggest getting some tests and things out of the way now, in case this all does go down the flusher during the next election? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/8 "2013-11-05T22:48:37Z")
Oh yeah. I’ve been saving up my “Doc, what do you think this is…” questions. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/9 "2013-11-05T22:50:23Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > …the government is going to take my tax dollars and subsidize a plan for you which is much more expensive and comprehensive than I can afford to buy for myself. The subsidies are not paid for out of income taxes, and the program as a whole is projected to reduce the deficit. So I’m not sure why you view it as taking your tax dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/10 "2013-11-05T23:00:11Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s delightful. I am starting a business and there is no way I could afford a $600 / month health insurance premium. But I make just a little bit too much money to qualify for any subsidy. Nevertheless, the government is going to take my tax dollars and subsidize a plan for you which is much more expensive and comprehensive than I can afford to buy for myself. > > So, uh, congratulations. I think I feel the same way. My 30 year old daughter will be paying $270 a month to get a plan with $6000 deductible. She also makes a little too much for any subsidy or credit. So as nice as it is for some people, you have to remember that others just got screwed. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/11 "2013-11-05T23:02:05Z")
Your daughter got a cancellation letter, did she? What was she paying before? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/12 "2013-11-05T23:06:51Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > I am starting a business and there is no way I could afford a $600 / month health insurance premium. When was the last time you had an individual health insurance policy? How old are you? For someone my age (59), $600 is low, even without the subsidy, and has been for at least five years. If you are relatively young, your policy will be much less than $600. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/13 "2013-11-05T23:08:47Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > My 30 year old daughter will be paying $270 a month to get a plan with $6000 deductible. She also makes a little too much for any subsidy or credit. Assuming she has no dependents, that means she’s making at least $45,960 a year, which means she’s doing better than the overwhelming majority of the rest of the country. It also means that her monthly net income is in the neighborhood of $3000. You’ll forgive me if I don’t exactly weep for her. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/14 "2013-11-05T23:13:36Z")
OP: Have you had a chance to evaluate the size of the provider network? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/15 "2013-11-05T23:19:36Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s delightful. I am starting a business and there is no way I could afford a $600 / month health insurance premium. But I make just a little bit too much money to qualify for any subsidy. Nevertheless, the government is going to take my tax dollars and subsidize a plan for you which is much more expensive and comprehensive than I can afford to buy for myself. > > So, uh, congratulations. You’re not a victim. If you can’t afford insurance premiums because you’re starting a business, your business model is not up to par. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/16 "2013-11-05T23:38:50Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Your daughter got a cancellation letter, did she? What was she paying before? She was getting her insurance through a professional organization who decided to get out of the healthcare business totally. About $240 with $1000 deductible. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/17 "2013-11-05T23:38:53Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > OP: Have you had a chance to evaluate the size of the provider network? Yes. The doctor I selected before I enrolled is in the network, as well as the local hospital. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/18 "2013-11-05T23:56:41Z")
> [@Pai325](#): > > She was getting her insurance through a professional organization who decided to get out of the healthcare business totally. > > About $240 with $1000 deductible. Sounds like the organization will save itself a lot of money. Will she benefit from that savings? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/19 "2013-11-06T00:04:46Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > You’re not a victim. If you can’t afford insurance premiums because you’re starting a business, your business model is not up to par. I don’t think you know how “starting a business” works. They very rarely churn out money right out of the gate. Overwhelmingly, there’s a 2-3 year period where you’re not actively making a profit it all. I know because I also went through this. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/20 "2013-11-06T00:07:53Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > You’re not a victim. If you can’t afford insurance premiums because you’re starting a business, your business model is not up to par. Does this sentiment hold regarding people’s life model for those that need subsidies to acquire insurance? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183.md?page=2)