[andrewchilds]

The problem, in NY at least, is that none of these sites account for the quality of the provider network, so you're fooled into thinking the quality of coverage just comes down to deductibles and coinsurance limits. Hopefully this works itself out over time, but right now network quality a serious problem affecting most of the plans offered on the NY state exchange.

Take MetroPlus for example: their plans looks good on paper, but their network consists of overcrowded municipal hospitals. Take a look at their yelp reviews for a more realistic picture: http://www.yelp.com/biz/metroplus-health-plan-new-york

[will_brown]

You addressed 1 of the 2 major issues I have with the ACA. I think the issue you raised could simply be called transparency, but as you allude there is no reason when I click on a plan in any market place, that I should not be able to see an exhaustive list of the providers who accept the given plan and a list of providers who do not, aside from premiums I would imagine this is the single most important factor to the majority of consumers, and the most important for people who are not picking plans based on finances. There are other data points insurers should be made to disclose as well, such as: the total number of claims under a given plan, the number of claims that were paid/not paid out, and the average amount of time it took to approve/pay said claims.

The 2nd issue, none of these plans on the market place make healthcare affordable to those who were previously uninsured due to cost. Yes, there are subsidies for premiums, but once someone actually has to use the plan, most can not afford the out of pocket co-pay much less the deductible. Due to inability to truly afford their subsidized insurance plan, people avoid using their insurance and so all the mandate really seems to do is line the pockets of the insurers with subsidized premiums on behalf of people who knowingly will not use their plans.