Here's what my state has been running for several years and what most States are trying to set up.
Please keep the discussion civil so we can keep the thread open!
https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector
Here's what my state has been running for several years and what most States are trying to set up.
Please keep the discussion civil so we can keep the thread open!
https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector
Yup, Minnesota is doing the same. The governor just appointed the board to oversee the process.
It talks a lot about the regulations, but I don't see where they discuss the actual benefits, let alone any eyecare benefits.
Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry
Where we've seen the uptick is in the uninsured now getting coverage for exams and glasses under the MassHealth/Neighborhood Health Plan. After the exam (at often a higher reimbursement rate than "Eye Dread" and VSP) the patient chooses from a limited collection of basic approved frames with no add on's allowed with MassHealth. All but the most difficult rx's I believe are made by MassCore at the correctional facility in the Shirley prison and we get a straight fitting/dispensing fee. They often opt out of that and we make them better glasses from our collection. Fallon and others with Neighborhood Health let us make the glasses for a set fee and they can get upgrades. Like Eye Dreads $150 allowance less 20% deal.Originally Posted by Johns
There are still many plans with in the plans. For details we have to contact the insurer (or they'll solicit us) and get information as to whether we want to accept the plan and their reimbursements for vision. (This is where a single payer Medicare for all would so simplify things!)
This is still far from perfect and a work in progress as will the entire ACA be for years to come- but future generations I think will appreciate the work being done now.
Massachusetts had a relatively smooth transition as we had a state government that embraced the idea. With some states fighting this law it will be interesting to see how the politics (yes-there's no getting around it) play out. Republicans are gambling that by putting up all the obstacles they can come 2014 they can say "we told you so" to their constituents. The gamble is that states like Minnesota will have a smooth transition and the voters will notice.
Last edited by Uncle Fester; 05-09-2013 at 04:49 PM. Reason: add more specific clarification...
The only ones grumbling (actually shouting!!) are the die-hard Republicans who hate this "socialistic attempt to destroy the United States of America", which is just more of the same we've been hearing since this all began. The vast majority of people are waiting to see what's going to happen. Vision care is not even really on the radar at this point.
Interestingly enough on a slightly different subject: The Mayo Clinic wants several hundred million dollars for "infrastructure upgrades" to their facilities in Rochester, Minnesota...needless to say, this didn't go over very well at the Capital, especially when they tried the old "if you don't give it to us, we will expand elsewhere, like Arizona". Minnesota is somewhere near $2 billion dollars in the hole presently, due to the Republicans stealing money to "balance the budget" (the usual, shifting funds from one column to another) on the backs of the schools here.
I thought the request was to keep it civil.
It was, and there was nothing uncivil about what I posted. It was pretty much verbatim from what's been said and done.
Please try and keep politics out of this.
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I'm really trying Steve but it is intricately interwoven with politics as it is a piece of legislation and it's success or failure depends on how the politics play out.
FWIW- There was a browse feature that is no longer there as the current sign up period has past.
I plugged in some numbers and found an uninsured family of 4 making more than $75K a year would pay about $1750 a month for a $2000 deductible $15 rx $20 office visit $150 emergency room charge. It would be less if your families income is less. this took about 3 clicks and lists several plans for about these amounts. It will be up to you to compare which plan from a choice of 3 or 4 is best for you. During the sign up period there is help for those who need it online or with a phone call to an 800 number.
This is similar to the plan my doc's have me on. It costs them if I recall correctly about a $100 a month for me as an individual while it costs me substantially more. My wife by comparison who works in a hospital has a much better plan that is valued at about $8500 a year paid by the hospital as a benefit with minimal out of pocket to her. Our W2 this year was required to show this amount and it was interesting to say the least.
Last edited by Uncle Fester; 05-07-2013 at 01:27 PM. Reason: tweak...
This is pure opinion (and I realize it's not yours):
There can be a discussion about this, without being emotional, political, and running off on tangents. A recent poll shows that most Americans don't even know that the new law has taken effect. I would be willing to be that many ECPs are included in this lot. We WILL face this soon, whether we want to or not. You will be hearing a collective moaning and groaning, which will be coming from those that have been discussing the politics, rather than the ramifications.
die-hard Republicans who hate this "socialistic attempt to destroy the United States of America"
The sad part is that many in the business of administering third party plans don't even know how this is going to play out, so it's good to look at the states that have a model. and see how they've handled it.
Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry
Found a way to browse-
https://www.mahealthconnector.org/portal/site/connector
Click on the Connector link above
Click Commonwealth Choice
Click shop compare enroll-- enter your info to see costs and options in the Massachusetts plan. Remember this is for Mass and not necessarily your state.
Sorry to disappoint you, but that wasn't an opinion. The quotes surrounding it should have given you the necessary clues to show that it was an almost word for word direct quote spoken by many republican legislators as well as more than a few republican leaning members of this very board. I believe that those words were almost word for word written in the previously closed thread about "Obamacare".
Only Mike finds this civil.
I'll do the same and keep it just as civil
ObamaCare is a disaster. The tyranny that the Dems have put onto the American people is mind blowing. Obama claimed that it wouldnt raise taxes 1 dime on anybody making under , what 250k ?
What about that tax penalty Mike??
Most Americans do not even understand that if they do not have insurance they will be hit with a TAX penalty...
And talk about stealing, how bout that Al Franken? Stole that election aye?
I bet your one of those Liberals that says the National Debt doesnt matter... you have any kids? It will matter to them big time.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
As a matter of fact, Senator Franken didn't "steal" the election. That's usually what the losers call it when there is a tight election. There was a recount, and he still won. Deal with it.
And, also as a fact, the ACA DOES NOT raise taxes on people making less than $250K. You are mistaking a penalty for not getting insurance for raising taxes overall on a group. Please get your facts straight.
I stand by my statement of "stealing". Even some of the republicans here in the state called it that. It was done by the Republican Governor (Pawlenty) and the Republican Legislature. Funny now, though, we have both houses controlled by Democrats and a Democrat as Governor. Almost 90% because of what the republicans did to the school budget. They promised to pay it back in full the next budgetary cycle, but, huh, it never happened. They delayed, sometimes up to a full year, tax payments to the schools, forcing schools to borrow money or issue bonds. 2. Billion. Dollars.
And please, the National Debt? Bush the 2nd had a budget surplus going into his first term. Then he invaded Iraq without cause or reason (where ARE those WMD's?). It's going to take a long time to clean up that mess. One war, sure. Boot out the Taliban (and I'm sure that he could have found bin Laden if he had let the military have free reign). Then come back home. But noooooo...
All of that done (two wars) without raising taxes to pay for them, forcing the money to come out of the general budget. And, to make matters worse, there were several tax CUTS.
Why is it that when straight talk is written about what the R's did, you consider it "uncivil", but when you write about it, it's "civil". I've never understood that.
Deal with 1099 felons voting that shouldnt have? in an election where it was won by 312 votes? your ridiculous
Facts Mike? how bout the supreme court ruled the mandate a TAX... you living in a hole somewhere?
The teachers up there already make too much money... where does minn rank in the nation in grades? And for every rino you can produce i could produce as many dems not happy with thier party
And still Obama has added more to the debt than Bush in half the amount of time..... Obama phone anyone?
you ever heard of sarcasm?
I see that you read InfoWars and Faux "News".
Those 1099 "felons" were never proven to have voted much less be "felons" who had their voting rights suspended (btw, once you serve your sentence, your voting rights are returned, R's tend to forget that minor little fact). There was a recount. Franken won. Why haven't you gotten over it yet? Is it because he has a D behind his name?
Again, the penalty "tax" applies ONLY to those who do not get insurance, NOT EVERYONE.
I see, so it's ok to steal money from the school districts because the teachers make too much money. Interesting view you have on school funding.
And you are quoting right down the line on the far-right-wing talking points. Ever bothered to look at the funding on the so-called "Obama phone"? No? Perhaps you should!
Here's a link to set you straight: http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/cellphone.asp Check it out. It was a program started by President Reagan, and expanded by Clinton (remember him? He left Bush II with a budget surplus). And the funding does not come from the Federal Budget, it comes out of everyone's phone bill.
Really, if you are going to be working on nothing but e-mailed talking points without bothering to do any research on them, you are simply wasting mine and everyone elses time.
WoW, your 1 of about 1000 people watchng msnbc and cnn. You ever look at the ratings pal?
Kind of like the 2000 election? I bet you still think Bush stole that dont ya?
Well Obama said , and I qoute " nobody making under 250k a year" what dont you get about that?
Well the #1 thing a city, state, or local govt should do is provide police , fire and emergency services period!!! how much hand outs is Minn giving to illegals and how many foodstamps?
I got 1 name for ya, Claire McCaskill - go look at her opposition to the phones
So , those guys were advertising in Mexico for those phones? no wait it's Obama
Your the waste of time... your ridgid leftist ideology is whats the matter with this country. Talk about leftist talking points. You sound like Chris Mathews
I suggest that everybody step back and take a deep breath.
If those involved can not be civil, this thread will be closed down.
Fezz, I'm done!
Mr. Fezz, I am officially stepping back.
Is there a thread we could start to get heated and political hehe
Please start another thread.
Why not start it in the Pro forum? None of the offenders ponied up for that, so we can have a civil discussion, and not worry about them.Please start another thread.
Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry
Very good idea
Wellll.....I'd like to reach as many eyes as possible to allay some of the concerns over the laws implementation.
No offense taken if someone else wants to start a duplicate thread elsewhere- but hopefully we can right the ship when it starts listing too far to the right or left and not get sunk with future posts if you take my meaning.
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