Surprise! Walmart health plan is cheaper, offers more coverage than Obamacare

Washington Examiner ^ | January 7, 2014 | RICHARD POLLOCK

[Hojczyk]

New Obamacare health insurance enrollees may feel a pang of envy when they eye the coverage plans offered by Walmart to its employees.

For many years, the giant discount retailer has been the target of unions and liberal activists “notorious for failing to provide health benefits” and "substandard.”

But a Washington Examiner comparison of the two health insurance programs found that Walmart's plan is more affordable and provides significantly better access to high-quality medical care than Obamacare.

Walmart offers its employees two standard plans, a Health Reimbursement Account and an alternative it calls "HRA High" that costs more out of employees' pockets but has lower deductibles. Blue Cross Blue Shield manages both plans nationally.

Also offered is a Health Savings Account plan that includes high deductibles but allows tax-free dollars to be used for coverage.

For a monthly premium as low as roughly $40, an individual who is a Walmart HRA plan enrollee can obtain full-service coverage through a Blue Cross Blue Shield preferred provider organization. A family can get coverage for about $160 per month.

Unlike Obamacare, there are no income eligibility requirements. Age and gender do not alter premium rates. The company plan is the same for all of Walmart's 1.1 million enrolled employees and their dependents, from its cashiers to its CEO.

A Journal of the American Medical Association analysis from September showed that unsubsidized Obamacare enrollees will face monthly premiums that are five to nine times higher than Walmart premiums.

JAMA found the unsubsidized premium for a nonsmoking gouple age 60 can cost $1,365 per month versus the Walmart cost of about $134 for the same couple.

The medical journal reported a 30-year-old smoker would pay up to $428 per month, in contrast to roughly $70 each month for a Walmart employee.

[1rudeboy]

If we smashed this thread into the following, will we find the elusive God particle?

Wal-Mart Relies On Taxpayers To Subsidize Low Wages [Free Republic]

[dangerdoc]

The biggest healthcare reform in my lifetime was the Walmart $4 script. Suddenly for the cost of a pack of smokes you could get a month supply of medication.

Walmart should have been put up for the Nobel prize, I’m not kidding.

Med schools should have a course on treating from the $4 script list.

[Sergio]

Bookmark.

[Seabeejas]

I have a sister who works full time for Walmart. She was diagnosed with cancer. Not only did her insurance cover her, Walmart paid for one months rent on her apartment, arranged to help her get to her chemo appointments, and donated an extra $1500 for expenses. Think the government will do that when you get sick?

[devolve]

— A NICE OLDER WOMAN ON FOX NEWS CHANNEL HAS MASSIVE CANCER - AND HAS LOST HER HEALTH INSURANCE FROM FLORIDA BLUE

- THANKS OBAMA

- YOU CAN GO BACK YOUR STUPID GOLF GAME WITH YOUR HOMO HS BUDDIE NOW

[Trod Upon]

If you’re over 40 the government will probably give you a pain pill and a hearty “bon voyage.”

[TurboZamboni]

“Always better than Obamacare.Always”