Exchange or buying direct from BCBS or any other the price is all the same. Any discussion about the exchange vs. “private” insurance is smoke and mirrors and just misinformed.
If you are on the dole you go through the exchange.
If you are a paying person you can go to the exchange or direct to the insurer.
Most people don’t know about this because most people are freeloading off of me and other payers. Enjoy what I can’t afford to use axxholes.
The insurance product may be the same, but many doctors don’t like it because they have a better chance of getting stiffed by exchange patients.