You have to chat it (or troll it) to find out what’s in it. And live chats with the HealthCare.gov Health Insurance Marketplace are going pretty much as expected.
We’re laughing so we don’t cry.
Up first: Where do all the sad pandas and lab mice go to get coverage under the Adorable Care Act?
https://twitter.com/OrwellForce/status/383371287856291840
https://twitter.com/OrwellForce/status/383372472369688576
https://twitter.com/orwellforce/status/383375398953680897
A zoomed-in view:
Next, a live chat with a refreshingly honest Obamacare rep:
https://twitter.com/coolhandschlute/status/383473621647097856
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/383478806347935744
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/383474497992409088
https://twitter.com/coolhandschlute/status/383474846845247488
Read the complete transcript of that chat, including discussion of Andrew Breitbart and leg-humping.
Moving along to Gisela’s explanation of what you “must” do:
My conversation with https://t.co/SfigYrsQFO Live Chat: http://t.co/tz1Yao5THp
— Kim Jong-unthony Bialy (@AnthonyBialy) September 27, 2013
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/383456857349558273
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/383457019409100801
Nuance and nuisance:
https://twitter.com/sealegz/status/383495103911690240
Obamacare live chat, “Saved by the Bell” edition:
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383490822756257792
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496298889887744
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496371925307392
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496535062753280
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496602305830913
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496707876483072
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496783143243776
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496830765383680
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496876403605504
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383496969219362816
https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/383497057178091520
And finally, what was that Obama said about health care being a “right”? Someone should let the Obamacare live-chat reps know.
Currently live-chatting with http://t.co/1mp6tybQ5B
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
First question: Is this conversation recorded to medical records?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Response: Good evening, this conversation is not recorded to your medical records.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: Phew, that's a relief!
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: I'm in Texas and currently have health insurance is my doctor required to report what he treats me for under the new guidelines?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: or is that only if I enroll in the new exchange?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
It's been 5 minutes, response: Thank you for your patience. I am still researching that information.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Response 1: Unfortunately I wasn't able to find anything on that information, Doctors have a contract with each Insurance company
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Response 2: so its up too them to decide if they want to report what they are treating you for.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
3: We are getting information updated every day since the open enrollment is around the corner. You can all ways check back with us …..
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: It's cool, I'll just study up on home remedies on Wikipedia. What happens if I don't enroll?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
The ACA requires most people to maintain health insurance. You can get insurance through your job, through the Health Insurance Marketplace
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
or directly from an insurance company. After open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014,
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
you cannot get Marketplace coverage until the next annual enrollment period
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
unless you have a qualifying life event such as a birth or marriage. If you do not get health insurance in 2014, you may have to pay a fee.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: How much a month is the non-compliance fee?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
The fee in 2014 is 1% of your yearly income or $95 per person for the year, whichever is higher.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
The fee for uninsured children is $47.50 per child.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
The most a family would have to pay is $285. Amounts go up after 2014.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: So all I have to pay is $285 a year?!? I'm paying $2500+ a month now, sounds like a steal!
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
me: So if I dump my insurance and pay the fee, how do I get medical care?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Response: You can still buy insurance outside the Health Insurance Marketplace
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
but only plans bought through the Marketplace offer options to lower the costs of monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
new Marketplace insurance plans, and most plans offered outside the Marketplace, must offer minimum essential health benefits and coverage.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
just to clarify if you decide to deny the marketplace coverage and your insurance, you want to know how you would pay for medical care?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
me: if I drop my insurance and forgo the exchange, what happens if I get cancer?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Response: Then any medical care would be out of pocket.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
me: I thought this whole thing was about my RIGHT to healthcare?
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
probably time to let this guy off the hook
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
It is but only if you decide to take the coverage through the Marketplace but if you decide to opt out of your coverage
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
and the marketplace then you wont have any coverage. Meaning you would need to pay out of pocket for medical care.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: What are the consequences if I refuse to pay the fee? I'm down to do a little time.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
1: If you don't pay the fee, the Internal Revenue Service will hold back the amount from any future tax refunds.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
2: There are no liens, levies, or criminal penalties for failing to pay the fee.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Me: Well that's cool. Thanks for your answers. Where are you based out of, it's late.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Response: We are located in Arizona.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
troubling: but only plans bought through the Marketplace offer options to lower the costs of monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
The government just told me that they're the only good option and that I could keep my private insurance but that'd make me an idiot
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Now time for everyone else to play:
I'm going to offer a cash prize for the best trolling of the http://t.co/1mp6tybQ5B live chat
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Ya'll are much funnier than I am, go chat up your government: https://t.co/4LBivTj0sM
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Do you have what it takes to troll the government live-chatters at http://t.co/1mp6tybQ5B? giving away $300 details: http://t.co/SAJeOu2od5
— Dustin Stockton (@DustinStockton) September 27, 2013
Do it!
https://twitter.com/redsteeze/status/383453818559553536
Ladies and gents, I invite you all to Turing Test this thing until it explodes in a cloud of hubris. @redsteeze
— Kenny (@fusionaddict) September 26, 2013
(Hat tip: @redsteeze)
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