Washington A Dexter cancer patient featured in a conservative groups TV ad campaign denouncing her new health care coverage as unaffordable will save more than $1,000 this year under the plan, The Detroit News has learned.
Julie Boonstra, 49, starred last month in an emotional television ad, sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, that implied Democratic U.S. Rep. Gary Peters vote for the Affordable Care Act made her medication so unaffordable that she could die. Peters of Bloomfield Township is running for an open U.S. Senate seat against Republican Terri Lynn Land.
Boonstra said Monday her new plan she dislikes is the Blue Cross Premier Gold health care plan which caps patient responsibility for out-of-pocket costs at $5,100 a year, lower than the federal laws maximum of $6,350 a year. It means the new plan will save her at least $1,200 compared with her former insurance plan she preferred that was ended under Obamacares coverage requirements.
A Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan spokesman said the insurer welcomes to chance to help members understand their benefits and alleviate concerns.
We are here to help people like Ms. Boonstra to work their way through adjusting to the health plans we are now offering them, the Blues Andy Hetzel said. If there are questions ... they should call.
Boonstras old plan cost $1,100 a month in premiums or $13,200 a year, she previously told The Detroit News. It didnt include money she spent on co-pays, prescription drugs and other out-of-pocket expenses
By contrast, the Blues plan premium costs $571 a month or $6,852 for the year. Since out-of-pocket costs are capped at $5,100, including deductibles, the maximum Boonstra would pay for all of her cancer treatment is $11,952 for the year.
When advised of the details of her Blues plan, Boonstra said the idea that it would be cheaper cant be true.
I personally do not believe that, Boonstra said.
She said she still fears her costs will be unaffordable because she could be hit with large out-of-pocket bills in the early months when she wouldnt have the money to pay. She also said her out-of-pocket maximum could be higher than advertised because theres one prescription that was previously covered by her old plan that she says she must now pay for out of pocket.
Hetzel said he understands patients may be confused by their benefits as they adjust. On the chance of being assessed a full out-of-pocket maximum in the first month or so of a health plan, he said: It is possible, but its highly unlikely.
