Socialization is not the answer! I was married to a military man for 10 years, and that is socialized medicine at its best, or shall I say worst! You have to wait months for an appointment, and while it is a service that is provided free of charage, it is not free. The health care is not the greatest, and forget about seeing the same doctor more than once. And forget about getting the newest prescription medications, or surgical proceedures. You work with what you are offered, and when it isn\’t offered, you don\’t get it. I am for regulation, not socialization.
The correct way to change health insurance in this country is not to socialize coverage. Health insurance shouldn\’t be paid by employers but my individuals. It should be guaranteed issue or a basic high deductible and insurers can compete on cost. Insurers can offer more expensive plans which they can underwrite. Then everyone would have some basic coverage you wouldn\’t have to risk losing coverage if you lose a job and you can still have some subsidies for poorer people.
The issue, alluded to by several of my fellow agents is simply: the system is broken, and until our legislators are no longer beholden to hospital, and for that matter, insurance lobbyists, the system is unlikely to change. And unlike \”indAgent\”, I agonize daily for businesses, individuals and families, who want to buy insurance, but are denied, or offered waivers or multi-year pre-existing condition exclusions because of various of health problems. I represent 5 top-of-the-line health insurance carriers, and have underwriters who earnestly try to help, but with current system, there will be more, not fewer uninsured. And we\’ll all pay the consequenses.
All good points BUT many have missed the mark. Our parents had insurance and when the bill from the doctors or hospital came they usually ended up paying half of it. It\’s come full circle and it\’s our turn. Personally I have a HSA and provide the same for my employees (Retail Insurance Agency). We STRONGLY recommend them to all of our individual and group accounts. Simply…they work. NY has a problem with them as do other states. When our good legislators stop trying to legislate what a free enterprize market can do then you will see some return to competition and price reductions.
This is a very complex issue but hospitals do win with large write offs. Consumers do lose with insurance companies (think of the HMO\’s and the NO HEALTH consideration of the client…in other words, bring me your aids, your cancer, your fill in the blank) and try to make a profit from that. Personally I don\’t sell nor recommend HMO\’s except in cases were underwriting issues are so extreme that they are the last bastion of coverage.
Medical Malpractise Insurance, Law Suits, Outragous Settlements…all contributors to a system in need of an over haul. Can anyone explain to me why at the point of sale the pharmacy can apply my discount for my drugs but my doctor or hospital can only ask me for a co-pay and do I need a referral? Better yet my doctor\’s receptionist asked in shock \”I see you DON\’T have a co-pay…Is THAT RIGHT?\” Yes dear that\’s right… HSA\’s have been the future, are here today and will be with us for the rest of our lives…get knowledgable now….
Not so in the real world: If Ilose my job and somehow manage to pay $600+ a month cobra premiums for 18 months, but have failed to find another job and group plan I will be one of the uninsured you so belittle – by edict of the industry itself. I had a potentially serious health problem fixed four years ago so that I would be healthy and live longer. Now I am a \”high risk\” to – and rejected by – the industry.
There are hundreds of thousands of us out here – uninsurable because we had a health problem sometime in the past. Wonder what the premium is for someone who is perfectly healthy?
I am a semi-healthy 44 year old male in NC. I own my own biz. I pay $214 a month to BCBS Blue Advantage. It is full HMO coverage. I pay $15 for office visits. If I choose generic drugs they are free. This is an individual plan with $250 deductible. Try them. I am not a BCBS employee or agent. I had heard that I would never be able to get insurance, but I have it for a great price.
I somewhat agree with your statement concerning the length of time it takes for some patients to pay off their bills. People should be more responsible in paying their debts, and medical providers should be able to bill for minimum monthly payments to avoid repayment being prolonged indefinitely. A fair interest rate on past due balances would also encourage timely repayment.
But, why should the state FORCE employers to provide health insurance to their employees? Health insurance is not a RIGHT; especially employer provided health insurance. Employers provide health benefits to attract and maintain good employees, the cost of which is passed along to consumers in the price of goods and services a company provides. This means you and I are paying for their employees\’ benefits. It\’s just simple economics; and there is nothing wrong, irresponsible, or immoral about it.
Why not have the state FORCE all individuals to buy their own health insurance? Would you vote for that?
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Socialization is not the answer! I was married to a military man for 10 years, and that is socialized medicine at its best, or shall I say worst! You have to wait months for an appointment, and while it is a service that is provided free of charage, it is not free. The health care is not the greatest, and forget about seeing the same doctor more than once. And forget about getting the newest prescription medications, or surgical proceedures. You work with what you are offered, and when it isn\’t offered, you don\’t get it. I am for regulation, not socialization.
The correct way to change health insurance in this country is not to socialize coverage. Health insurance shouldn\’t be paid by employers but my individuals. It should be guaranteed issue or a basic high deductible and insurers can compete on cost. Insurers can offer more expensive plans which they can underwrite. Then everyone would have some basic coverage you wouldn\’t have to risk losing coverage if you lose a job and you can still have some subsidies for poorer people.
The issue, alluded to by several of my fellow agents is simply: the system is broken, and until our legislators are no longer beholden to hospital, and for that matter, insurance lobbyists, the system is unlikely to change. And unlike \”indAgent\”, I agonize daily for businesses, individuals and families, who want to buy insurance, but are denied, or offered waivers or multi-year pre-existing condition exclusions because of various of health problems. I represent 5 top-of-the-line health insurance carriers, and have underwriters who earnestly try to help, but with current system, there will be more, not fewer uninsured. And we\’ll all pay the consequenses.
Curt got it right – but it is complex
All good points BUT many have missed the mark. Our parents had insurance and when the bill from the doctors or hospital came they usually ended up paying half of it. It\’s come full circle and it\’s our turn. Personally I have a HSA and provide the same for my employees (Retail Insurance Agency). We STRONGLY recommend them to all of our individual and group accounts. Simply…they work. NY has a problem with them as do other states. When our good legislators stop trying to legislate what a free enterprize market can do then you will see some return to competition and price reductions.
This is a very complex issue but hospitals do win with large write offs. Consumers do lose with insurance companies (think of the HMO\’s and the NO HEALTH consideration of the client…in other words, bring me your aids, your cancer, your fill in the blank) and try to make a profit from that. Personally I don\’t sell nor recommend HMO\’s except in cases were underwriting issues are so extreme that they are the last bastion of coverage.
Medical Malpractise Insurance, Law Suits, Outragous Settlements…all contributors to a system in need of an over haul. Can anyone explain to me why at the point of sale the pharmacy can apply my discount for my drugs but my doctor or hospital can only ask me for a co-pay and do I need a referral? Better yet my doctor\’s receptionist asked in shock \”I see you DON\’T have a co-pay…Is THAT RIGHT?\” Yes dear that\’s right… HSA\’s have been the future, are here today and will be with us for the rest of our lives…get knowledgable now….
Unfortunately here in the state of Iowa, in order to establish a HSA, you need to have health insurance in the first place with a high deductible.
Not so in the real world: If Ilose my job and somehow manage to pay $600+ a month cobra premiums for 18 months, but have failed to find another job and group plan I will be one of the uninsured you so belittle – by edict of the industry itself. I had a potentially serious health problem fixed four years ago so that I would be healthy and live longer. Now I am a \”high risk\” to – and rejected by – the industry.
There are hundreds of thousands of us out here – uninsurable because we had a health problem sometime in the past. Wonder what the premium is for someone who is perfectly healthy?
I am a semi-healthy 44 year old male in NC. I own my own biz. I pay $214 a month to BCBS Blue Advantage. It is full HMO coverage. I pay $15 for office visits. If I choose generic drugs they are free. This is an individual plan with $250 deductible. Try them. I am not a BCBS employee or agent. I had heard that I would never be able to get insurance, but I have it for a great price.
Patty,
I somewhat agree with your statement concerning the length of time it takes for some patients to pay off their bills. People should be more responsible in paying their debts, and medical providers should be able to bill for minimum monthly payments to avoid repayment being prolonged indefinitely. A fair interest rate on past due balances would also encourage timely repayment.
But, why should the state FORCE employers to provide health insurance to their employees? Health insurance is not a RIGHT; especially employer provided health insurance. Employers provide health benefits to attract and maintain good employees, the cost of which is passed along to consumers in the price of goods and services a company provides. This means you and I are paying for their employees\’ benefits. It\’s just simple economics; and there is nothing wrong, irresponsible, or immoral about it.
Why not have the state FORCE all individuals to buy their own health insurance? Would you vote for that?