Actually, if you are in a group plan, the cross coverage can cancel out the costs as you say. For a policy for just one individual, if the insurance companies are allowed to offer options of coverage, it does work against you as I said. That what priced so many out.
Well, the IM is what I'm talking about. The same concept is true for the universe of individual/family policies.
Doubtfully you live in an area which has experienced total market destruction as I have, where we experienced up to 300% in premium increases in the IM. (way before Obamacare)
300% absolutely prices people out of the market...not a trifling 1 to 3%.
The Maine Bureau of Insurance has done an in-depth study on the mandated coverages impact, and produced a "white paper" revealing the results.