OKC Couple Fears Healthcare Cost Will Go Up Due To ObamaCare

The roll out of ObamaCare has been anything but smooth and concerns are mounting for those who already have health insurance.

Starting January 1 is when we are all required to maintain a minimum level of health coverage.

The worry is that premiums will go up and that some health care plans will change dramatically because of the Affordable Healthcare Act.

"I've read horror stories about peoples insurance going up 400-percent and all that," said James Grove.

January 1, 2014 is being called a new era in American Health care. But, the Affordable Care Act mandates that plans include essential benefits which include contraceptives and substance abuse treatment.

Benefits you're required to pay for even if you don't use them.

"I think it's a nightmare," James Grove said.

"We have no idea what's going to happen," said James' wife, Beverly Grove.

Seventy-five-year-old James Grove and his wife have federal Blue Cross Blue Shield. Grove retired from Tinker Air Force base in 1997.

"To go to the doctor, go to the hospital, have surgery, whatever, never cost us anything," said Beverly Grove. "We're concerned that we'll no longer have what we have now, which we're happy with."

The couple already pays nearly $700 a month for their health benefits, $400 of is for major medical coverage.

"I understand that there's people that don't have insurance, and need care, but they go at it as such a grand scale, and not really knowing what they're getting into is just unbelievable," James Grove said.

James received a letter from his long time doctor saying she's recently joined a group called, "MDVIP," a private network of physicians. In order to continue getting care, James and his wife have to pay $1,500 out of pocket.

"It concerns me that could be the way a lot of doctors might be going so that they can guarantee their income. I don't even blame them for that," said Beverly Grove.

"At our age, you need healthcare, a lot of it, and if you don't get it, what happens," said James Grove. "So we'll probably, one way or the other, try to get the best we can get."

Because of ongoing issues with ObamaCare enrollment, there is a six-week extension. You have until March 31st to sign up for coverage for next year, and avoid tax penalties.