Meanwhile, I've had people brag to me about paying $10/ for damn to near full coverage. I'm starting to wonder if BCBS employer plans are just garbage
The statistical value of single insurance (Basic ACA) for 1 year is north of $10,000, so $1200 has the employer picking up most of the tab still.
This is why the linkage to employers for coverage is so insidious - it hides the true cost of the system in lowered salaries. People look at an unsubsidized exchange plan like mine, with its $2,144/month premiums, and go "holy shit, I only pay $10/month for mine at work, that's horrible!"
If she opted into it, her contribution would be ~$300/month, her employer's contribution would be $900/month.
If she wanted to cover me with it, her contribution would be $1,500/month, and her employer's would be $900/month.
Unsurprisingly, we did not take advantage of this, and she remains on my insurance (Since my employer handles 90% of the premium for both of us.)
When we were still dating, I had a good look at what the $300/month health plans provided. Absolutely flippin nothing. Deductibles of $8,000/year, and co-pays of 25%. If all you can afford is a $300/month plan, there's no way in hell you can afford an $8,000/year + 25% medical bill.
Meanwhile, Canada provides universal healthcare for $5,200 USD/year/person, with similar health outcomes.
Edit: fixed a typo in the employer's contribution.
I have a plan on the state exchange for around $300/month and an out of pocket max around $8k (I'm 34 years old).
I just budget $12k/year for healthcare and move on. This seems reasonable for people who can afford to take the risk of potentially having to pay anywhere from $4-12k/year.