If Texas is labeled as a “Hostile” state now – just wait!

Let me start this out by saying, please don’t stress. I’m doing that for you, and you’re welcome.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas made a huge announcement this week, and it’s not fun. They will no longer offer a PPO option for Individuals who have an on or off exchange individual/family policy that was purchased on or after January of 2014. This does NOT affect employer sponsored group plans. Nor does it affect individual Grandfathered plans. Only individual plans known as ACA plans. The PPO option goes away January 2016.

Now ladies and gentlemen, what this means is 397,000 Texans will lose their plans, options, and probably their doctor & hospital of choice. If you know anything at all about Texans, we like our chips and queso, our BBQ, driving our own cars (why do they even have HOV lanes here anyway?) - but most of all, we like our FREEDOM! Start messing with that, and we get a little fussy.

Since the media has already gotten their hands on this, it’s no secret why Blue Cross made this decision. Someone told me just last night, they explain it this way, “if you buy a $100,000 car, total it, replace it with another $100,000 car – for a $50 monthly insurance premium, how long is that sustainable?” We all knew it couldn’t last, but we stood still, hoping for the best.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas was the only carrier in Texas to offer their robust PPO plan both on & off exchange, when the individual mandate started in January 2014. Their PPO network includes places like MD Anderson Cancer Center, where other networks don’t. If I had cancer, this is the plan I’d want. Wouldn’t you? So guess who signed up for BCBS PPO plans? And let’s not forget that pre-existing conditions are no longer a factor, & no one can be denied coverage. Oh, and the sky is the limit, as in “unlimited lifetime maximums”. These are all mandates of the Affordable Care Act, you know - the law that has a very misleading name.

BlueCross BlueShield of Texas lost $400 million in the individual segment. You might say they’re now in survival mode.

Don’t get me wrong, The Affordable Care Act has indeed helped millions of people, it’s true. I’ve witnessed it. I’ve heard tears of joy from clients who could now get the surgery they needed, and rehab for their son. And the list goes on. But I’m a realist. And the fact is, it’s hurt just as many. How?

Doctor Shortages, Network Shortages, Premium Increases, Deductible Increases, A Constant State of Confusion, Insurance Companies going out of businesses or being acquired…and this is the short list. The more I think about this – THE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, founded right here in Dallas, Texas in 1927 – now bleeding red due to a law that was supposed to help. But is the media talking about this?

http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2015/07/bluecross-blueshield-of-texas-to-drop-individual-ppo-plans-in-2016.html/

NO, this Texan is tired of being quiet. Tired of insurance companies being blamed. A girl can only take so much before something has to give. This post is not political, but it is factual. What is happening to our country is wrong, and we need to come together and fight for what’s right. Maybe this doesn’t affect you now because you’re young and healthy. But what happens when that stroke happens to your uncle, or your child or spouse gets cancer? What if their only option is a doctor 50 miles away and the wait time to get in is crazy long. This is real. It will happen. It is happening. And it’s going to get worse.

And what about the doctors? They’re people too, and if you think this law has helped them, you’re wrong.   Some of them throwing in the towel due to the demands placed on them to “comply” with the Affordable Care Act. Giving up their private practice and joining larger hospitals. They’re seeing less patients per day than they used to, yet there’s a demand to see more. It’s a no win situation.

So what now? Isn’t that the question of the day, (sigh). Well, you can start out by contacting your congressman. They won’t listen to anyone except their constituents. Tell your story. Contact the media. Raise your voice. Thinking this will go away is naive. A new president can’t repeal this. But maybe if we scream loud enough we can start to fix one problem at a time. It’ll be a marathon, not a sprint. But we have to start the race.