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Title: What are people doing about the cost of medical insurance?
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Published: Mar 11, 2007
Author: me
Post Date: 2007-03-11 10:26:59 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 2695
Comments: 72
My daughter and son-in-law are contemplating a move and a change in life style. They're in NJ and the corporate rat race is insane. Together they make good money, more than $120k, but they still find the cost of living here ridiculous. Their plan is to downsize and change careers. With a 2-year old son, their major concern is medical insurance. I can’t believe the quotes for private medical insurance they’re received. Two questions: 1) does anyone know a decent plan that isn’t a budget buster, and 2) what is the answer to this insanity? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Move south...they all move south. This part of NC is still growing from relocated yankees.
Great question. I don't think there is a good answer. I have a good friend who is in the heart diagnostic biz, he knows his stuff. His father had some kinda procedure, he knew exactly what it was, and billed the insurance company $650. He couldn't believe it, called the insurance company and told them $100 was more than fair for the procedure. The insurance company didn't care, didn't know and paid the $650. Something is really rotten in the industry, and I think it started thirty years ago when the insurance companies became masters of the medical community. We have a $10,000 deductable Health Savings Account, for $350/month, family of four. To add to the insults, a few years ago Colorado allowed auto insurers to drop medical accident coverage from the auto policies, one of the most significant venues for people to have unexpected life wrecking medical bills. Ask me if the insurance rates dropped after being relieved from this huge liability. And bankruptcy now is not an option, so you work until you die just to pay the interest on you medical costs if you are ever involved in any medical problem bigger than the flu. The system loves the citizens in the same manner a wolf loves a flock of sheep.
I'm getting gouged for now, but Illinois is putting in a statewide plan that would cost me about $260 a month for decent coverage for me and my daughter, with rather high copays. Assuming it passes, it should go into effect by the fall. Cali and Mass have similar plans. In essence, they're single payer plans and the state negotiates for lower prices. Needless to say, there's a lot of opposition, but the Dems here control everything now. And they favor it.
Adopt the Russian Health Care plan. Don't Get Sick. It's been working for me for about 17 years.
Dying for old bastards, and their old money, isn't my idea of freedom.
I am for it. What really bugs me, and my medical friends, are the dodos who get a cold and a sore throat and go to the Doc. When I (very rarely) am in a waiting room I look around to see who really needs to be there. Half or less. The rest are fools who have nothing to do and want some attention from an important guy in a white coat. And the citizens pay and pay and pay.
That's basically our plan. Dosen't always work out though.
I wish I had an answer for you. I'm a business owner, but my wife is a nurse, so we have health insurance through her employer. Until she obtained her degree though, we didn't have insurance and paid cash for everything. We were fortunate in that we never needed any major medical procedures, although if push came to shove I could haved used VA for myself - after waiting nine or ten months that is.
My plan, as well. If I get sick; I'm screwed. Oh, well...
Insurance Companies, like banks, doctors, lawyers and corporate swindlers write the laws and bilk the public at will. Hospitals and doctors should have to operate under market forces just like everyone else. Insurance buyers, like taxpayers feed the slush funds that the elites gorge themselves with ... keep up the good work.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
A CFO of a local hospital once told me that he was of the opinion that 85 PER CENT of the "patients" that come to the emergency room could have treated their maladies at home. You are correct that many are just seeking attention from someone they perceive as an "expert".
My wife works in the ER. She says those non-emergency visits consist of two types of people; those with no insurance who use the ER as a normal doctors visit, and those who have insurance and only have to pay a deductible for their visit and use the ER as a normal doctors visit. The hospital does charge people with no insurance, but if they are illegal they have fake ID's and fake addresses, so the hospital eats the cost. Citizen's with no health insurance get billed and if they don't get paid, the hosptial will go after them if the bill is large enough. Most times the bill isn't large enough though, so the hospital eats those costs as well. Of course the hospital doesn't really eat the cost. Instead, they raise their prices to compensate for the loss. Add in the cost of regulation and paperwork, and the anti-competition practices of the AMA and walla, you have a health industry out of control.
My mother worked for decades as an admitting clerk in the ER. What she told me: half the people who come there aren't sick. They're looking for attention and something to do. Out of that half, 100% of them don't pay.
"We become what we behold. We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." -- Marshall McLuhan, after Alexander Pope and William Blake.
I'm sure you are right to a certain degree, but the law pays a large part as well. For instance, if you do not have medical insurance, a doctor working in a practice can demand payment right then and there. A doctor working in an ER is required by law to see a patient, whether they can pay or not, or whether it's a real emergency or not. It would be nice if an ER doctor could demand payment from a non-emergency patient, or better yet, be able to tell the patient "mam/sir, I'm sorry but this is not an emergency. You need to go and see your family physician. Of course you still have the cost of regulation and paperwork as well as the practices of the AMA to deal with, but being able to charge and turn away non- emergency patients from the ER would lower prices.
What I discovered is that there are different rates for different classes of people. For example, if you break your ankle and go to the ER with no insurance, the bill will be, say, $12000. If you have insurance, the insurance has contracted withthe hospital for a set fee for procedures, and the bill will then be, say, $2600. So, if you have no insurance and they can find you, you will pay a drastically inflated amount for the procedure. If you have no insurance, and they cannot find you, as an illegal, the hospital counts the inflated $12,000 as a loss that offsets their profits, if a private company, or lets them go beg to the taxpayers if a public owned entity. What a racket. Your money or your life. And many people, by the time they go to the doctor are on the cusp of recovery, for the typical colds etc, which little can be done for anyway. All they do is spread the virus by getting out in public.
You got that right.
Considering they have a kid, I don't think I'd be taking any high-deductible plans. Kids cost a pile and there's always another damn appointment around the corner... If they move to Minnesota and are unemployed, they can get on MNCare, which is fairly cheap, but I'm sure there are income requirements.
The national nightmare has ended... Now begins two years of watching the Congress play "Kick the Gimp".
I've read about some docs who are opting out of the insurance scam and all the b.s. paperwork that goes with it - you pay them a hundred a month, or so, and they treat you when and if you become ill, have an accident, etc. Back when, in China, the villagers would pay the doctor when they were well, and would stop paying if they became ill. Good luck with it.
Out of that half, 100% of them don't pay. Eye opening. I know of a couple here who are self-imployed, and they have private health insurance which costs $650 a month for the two of them. In Alaska everything is more expensive though, including medical care. I've decided if I ever come down with a heart condition or cancer, I will not get an operation, as they don't always work and I don't think I'd be able to tolerate chemotherapy. Even with health insurance people have to pay too much when they come down with major medical conditions. I would try to learn as much as possible about alternative medicines and use supplements instead, and keep my fingers crossed. I had a friend who had a heart problem at a young age, she went in for surgery, and when they put her to sleep and opened up her chest she died. I've heard a few such stories, so I believe trying to stay healthy and leaving out bad habits is the best solution.
I agree. If something major comes up, I would consider Mexico or India. Ya don't always have the option though. Getting daily excercise is my real health plan.
Canada? NZ? Australia? Ireland? UK? Seriously. Could just one of them work for a big enough corp or state or county govt, so they have reasonably priced insurance? My daughter's last raise went straight to increased insurance costs. It's outrageous. She and her two children are very healthy. When I heard how much they take from her paycheck for only an average HMO, I suggested she call around for private quotes. No good news, it's insane. We have a shaky economy with significant competition for employment, ever rising gas prices, while the govt sells our children's future to pay for an unholy war, and now health insurance has skyrocketed. They continue to herd us; to escape means taking risks.
Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is. ~George W. Bush Have them get a year-round membership to a tanning salon, dye their hair black, add the letters 'EZ' to the end of their last name and get one of those phoney wetback Mertricular (sp?) cards and they will be eligible for unlimited free healthcare anywhere in the country. You're welcome.
We'll need training videos for an attitude adjustment too. ;D
Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is. ~George W. Bush Govs, or other taxing entities, seem to be the only employers offering decent benefits these days...and even so, Mrs.L and I are paying nearly $500/month for just the two of us though the state of Texas BC/BS plan.
Yet all this money is being poured into Homeland Security, and the talking heads on the radio tell us our economy is in great shape, and our unemployment rate is something like 4.7%. I heard Michael Reagan going on about our great economy the other day. Where is all that money for the war and Homeland Security coming from? I don't get it.
The UK's - sheep herding proving grounds... Don't want national ID? Surrender your passport British citizens is that they will be able to refuse the physical ID card but, if they wish to travel abroad, they will have to provide the same information for storage in the national database. They will also still have to pay the nearly $200 fee charged for both an ID card and passport – or stay in the UK for the rest of their lives.
My mother lives in France and they get free health care there. Her doctor is right across the street from where she lives, but she is healthy and is also one of those people who doesn't like to admit to getting sick, and only goes to the doctor if she's practically dying. She did break a bone a couple years ago so she had to go in for that. I don't know how long that system can last there though with all the immigrants who have poured in, and all the gang members from north Africa and sub-Saharan Africa who have to go to the emergency room on a regular basis as the result of bullet and knife wounds. It's going to break the system eventually, especiallly as the majority of these people are already on welfare for most of their living expenses. At least she lives in an area of France where they don't have them, they are mostly concentrated around the big cities.
Canada's closer anyway. How about the Yukon? At least NZ and AU have govts that tried to fight back. A little plane door problem, after getting too vocal about the sleazy Israeli http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1262362,00.html http://www.theinsider.org/news/article.asp?id=1104 http://www.nsm88.com/articles/mossad%20down%20under.html http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/Scher_Aryeh.html http://jewishwhistleblower.blogspot.com/2005/02/israeli-foreign-affairsrefuse.html But hey, they are just a corrosive force trying to destroy Christian strongholds because we worship a false god. From 1:56 minutes to 2:32 minutes, just 36 seconds explains it very well.
Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is. ~George W. Bush When I was in Amsterdam airport enroute back from Madrid on KLM, I was suffering from either stomach flu or just reacting to the water. And the airport had a nice clinic, where I saw a real MD (unlike American clinics) and I was not charged a dime. It was very confusing for me.
Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is. ~George W. Bush “Yes, but is this good for Jews?" Prisoners not citizens. Just about where the US is now. As the US has imposed terrific fees for tourists comming here, most other countries have drastically boosted their visa costs for US citizens traveling.
I don't get it. The future. Basically being put on the US credid card. So much for the "conservative" republicans. Inflation is the only way out, so fixed income folks are screwed.
Here's the future of Health Care in the US, when the boomers are all 70 yo. If they smoke, do what I do. I used to pay for my own health insurance, but when cigarette taxes were raises to $2 or more a pack, to "cover the health expenses" we smokers cause the state, I figured I'd cost the state some health expeneses, and cancelled my insurance. Fuck em.
There is a first rate scam if there ever was one. That money is gone.
Oh, don't I know it. lol Get this, New York wants to raise the tax again because they are getting less and less money from it. I guess people are quitting, and now the fat pigs are used to having the revenue for the general fund.
Just what th insurance companies, doctors, and hospitals want you to beleive as the reason for high medical insurance costs and medical treatment costs. The real culprit is GREED plain and simple. We were all told to turn our thermostats down to a lower temperature to save natural gas/home heating oil and guess what. As we used less, the profits dwindled and we saw the doubling, trippling, and even higher prices. Price goughing!!!! This holds true for many othr products and services as well including auto insurance. Those in control are gonna get theirs| regardless of what we do. Afterall, doctors, hospital administrators, and insurance CEO's gotta have their big Mercedes, multi-million dollar homes, vacation hide-a-ways They are the elites or at least think they are. I believe they also see the high salaries of pro sports figures and somehow believe they are being shortchanged and opt to bankrupt the masses, the very same people who foolishly put those athletes on a pedistal and pay those exorbinant fees to attend sporting events. The average Joe Bagofdonuts is his own worst enemy. When the bottom finally falls outta everything and total bankruptcy becomes the norm, things may get better. Until then, as long as you got a buck in your pocket they'll find a way to get it from you. Now we can really see there is a real validity to the term sheeple in Amerika. Apparently we love getting sheard.
What is the title of that painting? "Homos in Hell"?
Maybe the one on the right is Andrew Cunanan? I read about him the other day, that was an extremely creepy story.
The insurance company didn't care, didn't know and paid the $650. Indeed it is a f'n racket. My mom had neck surgery a couple of years ago and they provided her with a neck brace. I just happen to be looking over the billing statements and notice they charged her $380 for this device. I went to the web and found I could buy the exact same brace for $49.95. Nope, the system is broken and something will have to be done as more and more employers are dropping coverage and the number of uninsured climbs.
I went to the web and found I could buy the exact same brace for $49.95. The system is just run this way. It's disgusting.
Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is. ~George W. Bush I have heard that this country is in debt, like a person who has maxed out their credit cards. If that is the case, then is our govt getting futher into debt, borrowing money from somewhere, spending money they don't really have to pay for this war and their many govt programs associated with their war on terror? I was confused the other day when Michael Reagan said that our economy is in great shape, better than ever. Because I know this whole war thing is costing a lot of money, though a select few such as armament and oil companies might be making some profit from it though they are private industry. I know Micheal Reagan is most likely lying, as neocons see nothing wrong with dishonesty and will tell the people anything to suit their agenda. Also this unemployment rate of 4.7% strikes me as odd, as there is so much competition for jobs and wages are very low. So what is going on? Is it true then that our country is in fact broke, and all this money is like spending credit cards, borrowing from somewhere, and if so, where? And what happens then when it can no longer continue? I just wonder what is going to happen. At least where I live there are jobs because no one in their right minds (except for non-conformists like me) would want to live in a place that has no amenities, and is not connected to the highway system. I have to wonder if the neocons are looting this country like the Oligarchs did to Russia under Yeltsin. And when it can no longer continue, then what? I guess it's good that I'm living this life-style now as I'm in practice for doing without a lot of material goods. We don't even have cell phones out here, and internet, dial-up is $50, high- speed internet is $100 a month, as is cable tv. So I have no tv and only dial-up internet. And as you know most the meat I get is salmon and moose which we get free from the land, and is much healthier anyway. I just don't understand how they can continue to spend so much money that apparently does not exist.
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest“Yes, but is this good for Jews?"
#2. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Two questions: 1) does anyone know a decent plan that isn’t a budget buster, and 2) what is the answer to this insanity?
#3. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
#4. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
#5. To: Mekons4 (#3)
#6. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#4)
Don't Get Sick.
#7. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
#8. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#4)
Don't Get Sick. It's been working for me for about 17 years.
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#9. To: tom007 (#2)
(Edited)
Something is really rotten in the industry, and I think it started thirty years ago when the insurance companies became masters of the medical community.
#10. To: tom007 (#5)
What really bugs me, and my medical friends, are the dodos who get a cold and a sore throat and go to the Doc. When I (very rarely) am in a waiting room I look around to see who really needs to be there. Half or less. The rest are fools who have nothing to do and want some attention from an important guy in a white coat.
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#11. To: tom007 (#5)
I am for it. What really bugs me, and my medical friends, are the dodos who get a cold and a sore throat and go to the Doc. When I (very rarely) am in a waiting room I look around to see who really needs to be there. Half or less. The rest are fools who have nothing to do and want some attention from an important guy in a white coat.
#12. To: tom007 (#5)
Half or less. The rest are fools who have nothing to do and want some attention from an important guy in a white coat.
#13. To: who knows what evil (#10)
You are correct that many are just seeking attention from someone they perceive as an "expert".
#14. To: Hayek Fan (#11)
Of course the hospital doesn't really eat the cost. Instead, they raise their prices to compensate for the loss. Add in the cost of regulation and paperwork, and the anti-competition practices of the AMA and walla, you have a health industry out of control.
#15. To: tom007 (#14)
What a racket.
#16. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Their plan is to downsize and change careers. With a 2-year old son, their major concern is medical insurance. I can’t believe the quotes for private medical insurance they’re received.
#17. To: YertleTurtle, Jethro Tull, all (#12)
#18. To: YertleTurtle (#12)
hat she told me: half the people who come there aren't sick. They're looking for attention and something to do.
#19. To: tom007 (#6)
#20. To: Diana (#19)
#21. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
(About the quote: Speaking on the war in Kosovo.)
#22. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Aaron - El Pee poster
#23. To: Esso (#22)
(About the quote: Speaking on the war in Kosovo.)
#24. To: robin (#21)
Could just one of them work for a big enough corp or state or county govt, so they have reasonably priced insurance?
#25. To: robin, Burkeman1, tom007, scrapper2 (#21)
We have a shaky economy with significant competition for employment, ever rising gas prices, while the govt sells our children's future to pay for an unholy war, and now health insurance has skyrocketed.
#26. To: robin (#21)
Canada? NZ? Australia? Ireland? UK?
“Yes, but is this good for Jews?"
#27. To: Eoghan, robin (#26)
#28. To: Eoghan (#26)
(Edited)
The UK's - sheep herding proving grounds...
diplomats spies (already convicted in Brazil as child predators), and in the end everything was smoothed out. But at least she tried.
(About the quote: Speaking on the war in Kosovo.)
#29. To: Diana (#27)
(About the quote: Speaking on the war in Kosovo.)
#30. To: Eoghan (#26)
hey will also still have to pay the nearly $200 fee charged for both an ID card and passport – or stay in the UK for the rest of their lives.
#31. To: Diana (#25)
Where is all that money for the war and Homeland Security coming from?
#32. To: All (#31)
#33. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
(Edited)
I don't want to be a martyr, I want to win! - Me
#34. To: Critter (#33)
raises to $2 or more a pack, to "cover the health expenses" we
#35. To: tom007 (#34)
I don't want to be a martyr, I want to win! - Me
#36. To: who knows what evil (#10)
A CFO of a local hospital once told me that he was of the opinion that 85 PER CENT of the "patients" that come to the emergency room could have treated their maladies at home. You are correct that many are just seeking attention from someone they perceive as an "expert".
#37. To: tom007 (#32)
#38. To: tom007 (#32)
#39. To: tom007 (#2)
He couldn't believe it, called the insurance company and told them $100 was more than fair for the procedure.
#40. To: Brian S (#39)
they charged her $380 for this device.
(About the quote: Speaking on the war in Kosovo.)
#41. To: tom007 (#31)
The future. Basically being put on the US credid card. So much for the "conservative" republicans.
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