Dear IndAgent: I am \”one of those\” who does not currently have health insurance. YOu want to know why? BECAUSE WE CAN\’T AFFORD COBRA @ 1,000 per month. Why am I not working? I took a FMLA November 2005 because my spouse\’s health. 2005, brain surgery, now 100% DISABLED. What\’s wrong with you? We went from six digitis a year in income to less than $50,000 last year! You explain to me how my spouse and I can afford to pay for health insurance (since I left my job) SINCE HIS WC CARRIER – A FLORIDA BASED PEO hasn\’t paid us a dime! $7,000 for the year 2005. That\’s it! SSI $1500 permonth? 3 sons, two in college, one left in high school? ON the flip side. You and I who are TAXPAYERS are paying for people whose income is extremely low. They need some help right? Well, I happen to be a ex. legal secretary. Worked for EVP of a large health care company. Know why we both left our firm? THE ALMIGHTY $$$ He\’s making about 4 mill a year? IT\’S THE MEN IN SUITS WHO OWN THE HEALTHCARE COMPANIES WHO ARE COSTING THE WHOLE NATION OUR HEALTH INSURANCE AND ANY SORT OF INSURANCE PERIOD. THEY OWN US. WE DON\’T OWN THEM. IF WE ARE LATE ON A PAYMENT – DONE. If they are Late? What to do? After almost 2 years, I just FINALLY RECEIVED A LOUSY $79.99 REIMBURSEMENT FROM AETNA that was submittted November, 2004! What do you have to say about that? That 80 bucks was spent in the supermarket on daily essentials! That\’s it. Yes. My son\’s work and work hard.
Well said. I should have read all before I started to write! YOu are so dead right. If you went to your stock broker and asked \”what type of fund/stock should I invest in?\” HEALTHCARE is what they tell you. I saw myself, my stock grow and couldn\’t believe it – but I know who is making the money. I have been there, done it, saw it, counted it!!! BED COUNTS That\’s what counts to the healthcare indusry.
Just because the couple didn\’t have health insurance is no justification for charging them 3 times more than anyone else pays. At most, the insurance companies should only get a 10-15% discount.
Doctor\’s don\’t make $800,000 per year. Where did you get that? a newspaper from the 70\’s? I have an ulcer from NAPROXEN. took for 14 years for cramps. Twice a month! When I finally realized something was wrong, I made an appt. with a gastro. 3 weeks! I was scared. When we finally met – I had to ask him – Why so long for me to see you? His reply: \”med mal is very high in my field and there are no medical students interested becuase ultimately – no money.\” You know what? When I received my nsurer\’s invoice? They paid him $45 dollars FOR 10 YEARS OF COLLEGE AND POST GRAD? I wouldn\’t go neither.
I posted earlier saying I pay $1400 per month for comprehensive insurance. You see, I don\’t have a PPO or an HMO. I have the old fashion indemnity policy which pays at 100%. What I face though is that while the PPO and HMO pays a hospital $5000 for such an operation, my insurance works off the full sticker price so the hospital is paid $15000. The problem is I am still stuck paying $10,000 out of pocket because the hospital billed me a total of $25000. So, from $5000(HMO,PPO) to $15000 (my Insurance payment), to $25000 (the overcharge).
I tell the hospital they usually get $5000 for this surgery, My insurance paid you $15000. Why ask me for another $10,000. They say that\’s our price. Pay it or go to collections. I now go to John Hopkins as they do not over charge me.
First of all, I am not important compared to the common good of society, if society is not stable, then I am not stable. A sound economic structure and policies that return only the highest standard of living for all the American people is of the most important to me. I high standard of living means that we have an adundance of doctors who are very good at what they do. A standard of living the promotes irresponsibility and allowing people to choose vacations over health insurance is destined to be a society that will not return a high quality of life to it\’s people.
The fact that you are economically challenged is where your problem lies. If you took a macro viewpoint of society, you would understand what I am saying. If you take a self centered, me me me and me aproach, then you are destined to not only fail yourself, but to contribute to societies failure. Communist and socialist only think about themselves and they live in a society that returns and awful standard of living to it\’s people, let alone an awful medical system.
I have been ill and I had the appriate insurance in place to keep me going, so I know exactly what it is like. Also, I keep a reserve of three years salary in savings, not to mention a disability plan. Because of this, I cannot take as many vacations, but I have the peace of mind that I am not going to cry mommy too keep me financially above water.
People seem to hospitals and doctors are going to go broke from treating the uninsured. Personally I think they will go broke from providing deep discounts to 90% of there patients through there carrier.
What many people do not know is that 20 years ago the state of Maryland began to set the amount everyone is charged for health care. The state sets the fee which is charged. The results after 20 years appear to be a rising model of the new health care system. This because no hospital and very few doctors have gone under with the 20 year system. What happened is the discounting was cut out providing an evening out of fees paid for service. From what I read the hospitals are not operating on margin either but are in middle of the road America which profit. There is no problem with treating the uninsured there either as the system is far more stable and they can see those with out insurance, charge a reasonable amount, and still maintain a business. While I come from another part of the country, I use the medical facilities in Maryland because I know my insurance will cover at 100%. By the way, oddly Maryland is the very lowest for medical charges in the country yet have some of the best medical care there. This is a system which works and it is not a Canadian system. It has only price control which has shown to be reasonable.
I am not familiar with the Maryland system – but based on what you are describing, it seems to be a reasoned approach. You are correct, whatever the charges presented to the patient – outrageously high for self pay and stupidly discounted for insured, the system must be adjusted to provide balance. I say again – the carges should be based on verafiable cost plus 4% – and everyone should pay the same. The insurers will have the money because they collect the premiums – the hard part is the self pay and uninsured who don\’t have the money or refuse to pay. Dan Rather\’s comment \”and here is the outrageous part – they send the bill to a collections company\” is designed simply to be either inflamatory, without considering the implications of not trying to collect – or totally naiive. I am voting for the former.
While there certainly are some hospitals having financial trouble, more typically they have big profits. Check out http://www.wherethemoneygoes.com for more details about hospital finances. The tax returns of non-profits are public record so it is easy to follow the money.
I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CARDIO MYOPATHY AND UNABLE TO OBTAIN INSURANCE FOR 13 YEARS.WE WERE ONCE BEFORE WIPED OUT WHEN I HAD OPEN HEAART SURGERY AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 30 DAYS. NO COMPANY WILL COVER US. SHAME ON ANYONE WHO TALKS ABOUT THE COSTS OF LIPITOR AND COMPARES THIS TO THE INABILITY TO WRITE EVEN CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE. MY MOST RECENT TWO DAY STAY FOR APPENDICITIS RAN 50K. WE PAY FOR MANY OF THOSE THAT INVADE OUR BORDERS AND ASSIMILATE AS CITIZENS THROUGH BIRTH BY ILLEGAL ALIENS . WAKE UP THE SYSTEM NEEDS SERIOUS FIXING. OUR COUNTRY SHOULD STOP FIGHTING IN A COUNTRY THAT COULD CARE LESS. BRING BACK OUR KIDS, CUT THE DEFICIT AND DO SOMETHING FOR THOSE THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY AND ARE PREVENTED THE PEACE OF MIND AS EVERYTHING COULD BE GONE IN A SECOND.
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Dear IndAgent: I am \”one of those\” who does not currently have health insurance. YOu want to know why? BECAUSE WE CAN\’T AFFORD COBRA @ 1,000 per month. Why am I not working? I took a FMLA November 2005 because my spouse\’s health. 2005, brain surgery, now 100% DISABLED. What\’s wrong with you? We went from six digitis a year in income to less than $50,000 last year! You explain to me how my spouse and I can afford to pay for health insurance (since I left my job) SINCE HIS WC CARRIER – A FLORIDA BASED PEO hasn\’t paid us a dime! $7,000 for the year 2005. That\’s it! SSI $1500 permonth? 3 sons, two in college, one left in high school? ON the flip side. You and I who are TAXPAYERS are paying for people whose income is extremely low. They need some help right? Well, I happen to be a ex. legal secretary. Worked for EVP of a large health care company. Know why we both left our firm? THE ALMIGHTY $$$ He\’s making about 4 mill a year? IT\’S THE MEN IN SUITS WHO OWN THE HEALTHCARE COMPANIES WHO ARE COSTING THE WHOLE NATION OUR HEALTH INSURANCE AND ANY SORT OF INSURANCE PERIOD. THEY OWN US. WE DON\’T OWN THEM. IF WE ARE LATE ON A PAYMENT – DONE. If they are Late? What to do? After almost 2 years, I just FINALLY RECEIVED A LOUSY $79.99 REIMBURSEMENT FROM AETNA that was submittted November, 2004! What do you have to say about that? That 80 bucks was spent in the supermarket on daily essentials! That\’s it. Yes. My son\’s work and work hard.
Well said. I should have read all before I started to write! YOu are so dead right. If you went to your stock broker and asked \”what type of fund/stock should I invest in?\” HEALTHCARE is what they tell you. I saw myself, my stock grow and couldn\’t believe it – but I know who is making the money. I have been there, done it, saw it, counted it!!! BED COUNTS That\’s what counts to the healthcare indusry.
Just because the couple didn\’t have health insurance is no justification for charging them 3 times more than anyone else pays. At most, the insurance companies should only get a 10-15% discount.
Doctor\’s don\’t make $800,000 per year. Where did you get that? a newspaper from the 70\’s? I have an ulcer from NAPROXEN. took for 14 years for cramps. Twice a month! When I finally realized something was wrong, I made an appt. with a gastro. 3 weeks! I was scared. When we finally met – I had to ask him – Why so long for me to see you? His reply: \”med mal is very high in my field and there are no medical students interested becuase ultimately – no money.\” You know what? When I received my nsurer\’s invoice? They paid him $45 dollars FOR 10 YEARS OF COLLEGE AND POST GRAD? I wouldn\’t go neither.
I posted earlier saying I pay $1400 per month for comprehensive insurance. You see, I don\’t have a PPO or an HMO. I have the old fashion indemnity policy which pays at 100%. What I face though is that while the PPO and HMO pays a hospital $5000 for such an operation, my insurance works off the full sticker price so the hospital is paid $15000. The problem is I am still stuck paying $10,000 out of pocket because the hospital billed me a total of $25000. So, from $5000(HMO,PPO) to $15000 (my Insurance payment), to $25000 (the overcharge).
I tell the hospital they usually get $5000 for this surgery, My insurance paid you $15000. Why ask me for another $10,000. They say that\’s our price. Pay it or go to collections. I now go to John Hopkins as they do not over charge me.
First of all, I am not important compared to the common good of society, if society is not stable, then I am not stable. A sound economic structure and policies that return only the highest standard of living for all the American people is of the most important to me. I high standard of living means that we have an adundance of doctors who are very good at what they do. A standard of living the promotes irresponsibility and allowing people to choose vacations over health insurance is destined to be a society that will not return a high quality of life to it\’s people.
The fact that you are economically challenged is where your problem lies. If you took a macro viewpoint of society, you would understand what I am saying. If you take a self centered, me me me and me aproach, then you are destined to not only fail yourself, but to contribute to societies failure. Communist and socialist only think about themselves and they live in a society that returns and awful standard of living to it\’s people, let alone an awful medical system.
I have been ill and I had the appriate insurance in place to keep me going, so I know exactly what it is like. Also, I keep a reserve of three years salary in savings, not to mention a disability plan. Because of this, I cannot take as many vacations, but I have the peace of mind that I am not going to cry mommy too keep me financially above water.
People seem to hospitals and doctors are going to go broke from treating the uninsured. Personally I think they will go broke from providing deep discounts to 90% of there patients through there carrier.
What many people do not know is that 20 years ago the state of Maryland began to set the amount everyone is charged for health care. The state sets the fee which is charged. The results after 20 years appear to be a rising model of the new health care system. This because no hospital and very few doctors have gone under with the 20 year system. What happened is the discounting was cut out providing an evening out of fees paid for service. From what I read the hospitals are not operating on margin either but are in middle of the road America which profit. There is no problem with treating the uninsured there either as the system is far more stable and they can see those with out insurance, charge a reasonable amount, and still maintain a business. While I come from another part of the country, I use the medical facilities in Maryland because I know my insurance will cover at 100%. By the way, oddly Maryland is the very lowest for medical charges in the country yet have some of the best medical care there. This is a system which works and it is not a Canadian system. It has only price control which has shown to be reasonable.
I am not familiar with the Maryland system – but based on what you are describing, it seems to be a reasoned approach. You are correct, whatever the charges presented to the patient – outrageously high for self pay and stupidly discounted for insured, the system must be adjusted to provide balance. I say again – the carges should be based on verafiable cost plus 4% – and everyone should pay the same. The insurers will have the money because they collect the premiums – the hard part is the self pay and uninsured who don\’t have the money or refuse to pay. Dan Rather\’s comment \”and here is the outrageous part – they send the bill to a collections company\” is designed simply to be either inflamatory, without considering the implications of not trying to collect – or totally naiive. I am voting for the former.
While there certainly are some hospitals having financial trouble, more typically they have big profits. Check out http://www.wherethemoneygoes.com for more details about hospital finances. The tax returns of non-profits are public record so it is easy to follow the money.
I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CARDIO MYOPATHY AND UNABLE TO OBTAIN INSURANCE FOR 13 YEARS.WE WERE ONCE BEFORE WIPED OUT WHEN I HAD OPEN HEAART SURGERY AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 30 DAYS. NO COMPANY WILL COVER US. SHAME ON ANYONE WHO TALKS ABOUT THE COSTS OF LIPITOR AND COMPARES THIS TO THE INABILITY TO WRITE EVEN CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE. MY MOST RECENT TWO DAY STAY FOR APPENDICITIS RAN 50K. WE PAY FOR MANY OF THOSE THAT INVADE OUR BORDERS AND ASSIMILATE AS CITIZENS THROUGH BIRTH BY ILLEGAL ALIENS . WAKE UP THE SYSTEM NEEDS SERIOUS FIXING. OUR COUNTRY SHOULD STOP FIGHTING IN A COUNTRY THAT COULD CARE LESS. BRING BACK OUR KIDS, CUT THE DEFICIT AND DO SOMETHING FOR THOSE THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY AND ARE PREVENTED THE PEACE OF MIND AS EVERYTHING COULD BE GONE IN A SECOND.