IBM dumping retirees on Obamacare Exchanges

[Susie Chutzpah]

And so it begins. 

(Reuters) - IBM plans to move U.S. retirees off its company-sponsored health plan and shift them into new public insurance exchanges as a way of lowering costs.

IBM had selected Extend Health, which is owned by Towers Watson & Co, to provide retirees with new health options for medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage, the company said in a statement on Friday.

The plan, it said, offered IBM retirees more choice and better value than the company could provide through existing group plans.

IBM also said it was hosting meetings with groups of retirees across the country to inform them about the move to the country's largest private Medicare Exchange.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/07/us-ibm-healthcare-idUSBRE98602Z20130907

[evince]

which is why we needed the public option or single payer.

It will come.


You prefer people not having any healthcare?

[Howey]

(Reuters) - IBM plans to move U.S. retirees off its company-sponsored health plan and shift them into new public insurance exchanges as a way of lowering costs.

I don't know...sounds like they're embracing the intent of Obamacare by switching them into low cost "public insurance plans".

Oh and welcome Suzie!!!!

[paddymcdougall]

which is why we needed the public option or single payer.

It will come.


You prefer people not having any healthcare?

Agree. The OP makes sense.

[ekg]

The plan, it said, offered IBM retirees more choice and better value than the company could provide through existing group plans.

then what's the problem with giving them the better plan?

[Susie Chutzpah]

which is why we needed the public option or single payer.

It will come.


You prefer people not having any healthcare?

No one is denied healthcare in this country.  Fixes need to be made to the system, not the entire system destroyed.

[Howey]

No one is denied healthcare in this country.  Fixes need to be made to the system, not the entire system destroyed.

That's what Obamacare's trying to do...lower costs, decrease fraud, and increase participation by all...even the healthy.

[Susie Chutzpah]

That's what Obamacare's trying to do...lower costs, decrease fraud, and increase participation by all...even the healthy.

I agree with some aspects of Obamacare, but it is essentially like bulldozing a house to fix the A/C -- my favorite analogy.

The exchanges open in less than 30 days, so we will see more after that.

[Howey]

I agree with some aspects of Obamacare, but it is essentially like bulldozing a house to fix the A/C -- my favorite analogy.

The exchanges open in less than 30 days, so we will see more after that.

Remember, I'm one of those who oppose Obamacare, but not for the same reason the right wing does. I oppose it because a single payor system is better. Something like the VA system I enjoy, or Medicare for All.

There's other threads on here, Suzie, that explain the hyperbole over claims, but like you said we'll learn the truth soon.

[uselesslegs]

This is the first step towards single payer, as Evidence said. 

It's been a long time coming.

Millions and millions of people continually having to go into hospitals for non-critical, but necessary care they could get from a private practice M.D. is another factor that adds to high priced private insurance.

Time will tell. I expect tweaks and modifications along the way with ACA, but I suspect that ultimately it will help more than it will cause problems.

[Howey]

Btw Susie...there are ppl denied health care in this country, at least up until Obamacare.

Those with preexisting conditions.

[uselesslegs]

Btw Susie...there are ppl denied health care in this country, at least up until Obamacare.

Those with preexisting conditions.

I'm one of those.  If it wasn't for medicaid/medicare...I quite literally would probably already be dead.

[Howey]

I'm one of those.  If it wasn't for medicaid/medicare...I quite literally would probably already be dead.

To be honest Chuck you prove Susie's point only by being eligible for alternative treatment because you're poor. I'm talking about those denied by insurance carriers.

[uselesslegs]

To be honest Chuck you prove Susie's point only by being eligible for alternative treatment because you're poor. I'm talking about those denied by insurance carriers.

No, you misunderstand.  The level of care I receive, or am privy to, should be available to everyone, not just the poor/disabled/elderly.

It's crazy to think that people, who are able, who are working their asses off, doing the right thing (as it were), paying bills/taxes/taking care of their children...cannot afford health care...except going to the E.R....after they've let something that was nominal in the beginning escalate into something that now has to be really and seriously addressed. All because they couldn't afford to see an MD originally, where some pills or in office treatment would have sufficed and kept them out of the hospital, where the massive fees are passed along to those with private insurance, because someone who's doing the right thing, can't afford insurance or basic medical care and wellness.

It's obscene.

[Susie Chutzpah]

Btw Susie...there are ppl denied health care in this country, at least up until Obamacare.

Those with preexisting conditions.

Right, and that needs fixing, it could be addressed without the entirety of Obamacare.  That's what I mean by bulldozing a house to fix the roof.