Is anyone on Obama Care?

Would this calculator be helpful?

My nephew had Obama Care. In January of 2016 he was diagnosed with cancer. He never had chemo or radiation because he couldn't find a doctor that would accept his insurance. He died in April of that year. He was 33 years old. I guess you know my opinion of Obama Care.

Caroline,
Thank you for your post. I'm sorry your brother was not able to find a doctor.

I think some more specifics would be helpful, caroline24.

This summary seems to indicate that in most circumstances the ACA does cover most cancer care.

Katie,
"Obamacare" is a big umbrella term. Both my son and husband buy health insurance through the marketplace that Obamacare created. They have had no problems, and both qualify for help with paying the premiums.

I'm pretty sure that the details vary by the state you live in and maybe by the county, too.

Before Obamacare, I paid 27% of my income for employer-sponsored health insurance. Because of the Obamacare laws, my employer had to offer plans that were only 9% of my income.

My doctors told me that, before Obamacare, my health insurance was allowed to deny me coverage based on my health condition. Obamacare made the insurance company cover me.

It's really sad about the other poster's relative who passed away- so young, too.

Hi @katiegrace, the official name for ObamaCare is the Affordable Care Act or ACA. This article highlights some of the key features of the act as it pertains to cancer care specifically:
- Understanding the Affordable Care Act https://www.cancercare.org/publications/179-understanding_the_affordable_care_act

Here are some points relevant to your questions:
- Health plans must cover essential health benefits, including cancer treatment and follow-up care.
- As of 2019, there is no longer a tax penalty if you do not have health insurance, although some states still have one, including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, as well as Washington, D.C.
- Individuals and families with low to moderate incomes can receive help to purchase health insurance. These are called subsidies. The Kaiser Family Foundation offers a subsidy calculator at http://www.kff.org.

The article also lists helpful resources and organizations where you can ask questions.

Colleen,
Thank you so much.

I think part of the issue is not the insurance itself, but which insurance certain doctors and hospitals will accept (e.g., Medicare Advantage, Medicaid from different states, etc.).

With some of the ACA Market plans, I've heard of very tight regional restrictions; e.g., you may be required to see an in-network doctor within your county unless you have an emergency while traveling.

In both the above scenarios, it may be that medical providers are not satisfied with the reimbursement rates they receive from the insurer, or it may simply be that the insurer is not "in network" for that provider and they have extra work to do when a claim is filed since they don't already have agreements in place.

Thankfully, the ACA did eliminate most of the preexisting condition denials, but once you go on Medicare, there are some nuances you (and I) might need professional help to address.