Have You Gotten Your Health Care Policy Cancellation Yet? I Have.

by Kim D.

If Obamacare were working, they'd want you to see your 2015 premiums BEFORE the election: http://t.co/UzUkdiGEVn #FullRepeal
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) October 13, 2014

That dreaded letter came in the mail last week from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.  The health care policy my family currently has will not be extended (i.e. will be cancelled) in 2015.  We will have to select a new policy in November, after the mid-term elections.

I have no doubt the delay in releasing 2015 health care premium rates is by design. According to The Daily Caller, 

The open enrollment period begins Nov. 15, over a week after the Nov. 4 elections, and lasts just three months — half as long as the first open enrollment run. The GOP has urged the administration to release the rates as soon as they’re finalized so that customers have more time to budget (and presumably because hikes would be detrimental to Obamacare supporters come election time).

Last year that dreaded letter came in August stating our family's policy would not conform to Obamacare requirements. We were given the option to switch to a policy which would conform or go to Heathcare.gov and select a new policy.

Since my husband is a 1099 contract worker, we have opted for a high deductible plan associated with a health savings account. As we are relatively healthy, this type of plan makes the most sense for our family. In 2013, we paid $748 per month for the BCBS of TX policy and contributed, on average, an additional $500 per month to the health savings account.  

When faced to make a policy change decision last year, I contacted our Dave Ramsey insurance specialist for advice. He told me he was in the same situation and to take whatever Blue Cross was offering and to not, under any circumstances, go through Healthcare.gov. We took his advice and our 2014 rate only increased by $100.  

The Ramsey representative did give me an ominous warning. He said in the latter part of 2014 is really when they will "stick it to us" and premiums will skyrocket for 2015.  

Well. we will see if his prediction rings true next month. For now it only takes a modicum of common sense to know that if news for health care premium rates were good, the numbers would be released as soon as possible - before the midterms. All warning signs point to Americans spending more for health care next year.