With the advent of the Affordable Care Act proponents thought, at last, Americans would receive the health care they deserve.
Welcome “skinny plans” — health insurance that does little more than pay for routine visits to the doctor.
Big business has found the work-around to providing comprehensive care by offering the scaled-down plans, which are fast gaining traction. An approximate 16 percent of businesses are offering the cheaper options according to a recent report by the National Business Group on Health.
The plans don’t meet the Affordable Care Act’s requirements as being adequate. But because the companies also offer more robust — and expensive — plans, they are allowed to carry the lesser option.
Those in service industries — hotels and restaurants — typically opt for the low-benefit plans because of their lower costs to both businesses and employees.
To be considered affordable, an employee’s contribution to insurance should not exceed 9.5 percent of his household income, according to ACA guidelines.
The problem with skinny plans is they don’t provide adequate coverage such as trips to an emergency room or stays in a hospital — events that incur lots of debt in little time.
Unfortunately, that’s the gamble many workers are forced to take.
The new healthcare act is only one piece of the puzzle to combating the high costs of health care.
Our next battle: Ensuring every state expands Medicaid to help the disabled and poor access adequate healthcare to help keep overall costs down.
— Susan Lynn
‘Skinny’ plans lack adequate coverage
