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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: 2748
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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#16. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
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.
The murder in Chicago was right down the street from me. It's a complex of gray brick townhouses, with gated entrances about 15 feet high and the only access to the parking garage is cardkey access only. Pretty clear he was a trick of this guy, who was a big deal in Chicago's social circle. His wife still is. As for the "don't get sick" strategy, my brother tried that. He got mouth cancer, and it cost him $200K, everything he had, to get treatment. And that was only after surgeons gave him a big discount. He's going to be doing one guy's taxes for the rest of his life.
A lot of the 'equipment' in hospitals is just cheap plastic crap.
Yes, it is true. From the Federal Reserve. The FR is NOT part of our government, it is a privately owned banking corporation (foreign owned, no less). They print the "money" and government borrows it from them. Then our income tax proceeds (what's left after the expenses of running the tax collection agency are taken off the top) go directly to payment of interest on that loan. That interest is now so much that there is no way of even beginning to pay down the principal. Notice I put the word money in quotations above? The reason is because they aren't printing MONEY, they are printing Federal Reserve NOTES. There is a HUGE difference!!! By making the proclamation on each "bill" that it is a NOTE, they change the legal status of that instrument. I have explained this in several threads, but you may have missed it, so I'll re-explain it here (apologies to those that have seen this - I don't intend to be redundant, but I'm sure that there are those that have missed it): Let's say you write a note to the George (the owner of your local grocery store). The note says: You hand the note to Sally, and she runs to the store and gives George the note. George knows you, and that you're an honorable person; so he gives the milk and bread to Sally. Now Sally has the milk and bread, and is on the way back to your house with it. The correct answer (and what EVERY judge in the nation will rule) is (C), YOU are the legal owner. This is crucial to understanding the scam we are involved in. Since all our "money" is nothing more than a NOTE issued by the FR, the reality is that everything we (the agents) purchase with those notes is OWNED by the FED!!!!! Sure, they may allow us "use" of those purchases (equitable interest), BUT actual OWNERSHIP is solely theirs!!! What happens when this is no longer "sustainable" is that we're screwed. It's also why whenever possible, it's far better to use trade and barter as opposed to using FRNs.
No matter how noble the objectives of a government; if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion - it is an EVIL government. Eric Hoffer
Thanks for the explanation. The question remains, why are they doing this when they know it can only lead to major trouble? I sometimes think this country is being brought down on purpose, maybe that is the answer.
"Homos in Hell"? "Dante and Virgil in Hell", Virgil is the nearer of the onlookers, Dante is behind him.
Greed. In their eyes, we're nothing more than stepping stones to be used anyway they see fit in achieving their objectives.
No matter how noble the objectives of a government; if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion - it is an EVIL government. Eric Hoffer
"Homos in Hell"? "Dante and Virgil in Hell", Wish Diana could have named that painting - I like her name for it better...
No matter how noble the objectives of a government; if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion - it is an EVIL government. Eric Hoffer
Thanks for the feed back, guys. It seems lots of people are in the same boat, unfortunately. I've forwarded my daughter some info received here that will be helpful. Thanks again.
Catchy alliteration, I'll grant you that.
Consumers Reports evaluated different health insurance companies in their October 2001 issue - available at all public libraries - though 5 years old, the info about their top recommendations and why the companies were chosen as the top in HMO's ( for example) might still be applicable today. Consumers Reports have also done some shorter more up-to-date articles regarding health insurance - for example - http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cu-press- room/pressroom/eng0509hlh.htm? resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=7&searchTerm=health%20insurance "CONSUMER REPORTS® RATES HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS BASED ON HUGE READER SURVEY" CR Ratings and Recommendations: For HMOs, Kaiser Permanente, Northwest (OR,WA), and Capital District Physicians Health Plan (NY) topped our charts in this report as well as in 2003 and received consistently high marks for billing and customer service. For PPOs, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans dominate the top 10 as they did in 2003. Most of these plans had very good scores for choice of doctors. For more detail: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/health-care/hmos-vs- ppos- 905/ratings/hmos/index.htm
Thanks scrapper. I'm nearly 100% certain any presidential candidate who dangles "Hillary Care" in front of the public in '08 will have a winning issue.
No kidding. Might suggest they look into Medical Savings accounts w/ a high deductable. Allow you to put up to 5250 $ into a nontaxed account to be used for medical issues. So you can reduce your taxable income by either the deductable amount up $5250, put that cash into an Medical Savings Account, whose income is NOT taxable. When you have a medical issue, you can withdraw that $$ for payment totally untaxed. The provisions for a medical issue are fairly liberal, eyeglasses, travel to recieve special treatment etc, but not cosmetic or choice treatments. If you are healthy for a few years, the $$$ in the MSA can easily overtake the high deductable of the policy. Also, by being in an insurance system you buy medical treatments wholesale rather than retail, as noted somewhere above. Prolly the best bet in the current enviroment.
Very cool information. I'm amazed at the overall information our members have regarding this, and other issues. Very, very impressive, not to mention helpful.
Yes, excellent recommendation - especially for younger families where everyone is pretty healthy. The only down side is keeping track of the paper trail - which is imperative. In fact, if your daughter is not too organized, Jethro, what with keeping track of a little on the go 2 year old, it would be wise to buy her a photocopy machine as a gift for the home if she and her husband choose this health savings account option, so she is sure to keep copies of every health bill for her family's records.
I've seen some county and city health insurance premiums that are extremely outrageous. As much as 40% of after-tax income.
Comments (57 - 72) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestTheir 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.
#42. To: Diana (#38)
Maybe the one on the right is Andrew Cunanan?
#43. To: Brian S (#39)
I went to the web and found I could buy the exact same brace for $49.95.
Remember...G-d saved more animals than people on the ark. www.siameserescue.org
#44. To: Diana (#41)
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?
I just don't understand how they can continue to spend so much money that apparently does not exist.
George, please let Sally (your neighbor) get a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread for me, and I'll pay you for it the next time I'm in the store.
Diana
Legal question - at this given moment in time, who is the legal owner of the milk and bread? Is it:
(A) George, since he has not yet been "paid" for the goods?
(B) Sally, since she is the one in possession of the goods at the moment?
(C) You, since you are the one that made (or issued) the note?
George USED to be the owner, but relinquished his rights of ownership when he accepted the note and gave the goods to Sally.
Sally is merely an agent acting on YOUR behalf. Granted, she may have some "equitable interest" in the goods (you may give her a quart of the milk for her going after it), but it doesn't legally belong to her.
You are the legal owner. You are the issuer of the NOTE - the "promise to pay".
#45. To: innieway (#44)
#46. To: Diana (#37)
What is the title of that painting?
#47. To: Diana (#45)
why are they doing this
#48. To: tom007 (#46)
What is the title of that painting?
#49. To: All (#0)
#50. To: innieway, diana (#48)
Wish Diana could have named that painting - I like her name for it better...
#51. To: Jethro Tull (#49)
#52. To: scrapper2 (#51)
#53. To: Jethro Tull (#52)
m nearly 100% certain any presidential candidate who dangles "Hillary Care" in front of the public in '08 will have a winning issue.
#54. To: tom007 (#53)
#55. To: tom007, Jethro Tull (#53)
Might suggest they look into Medical Savings accounts w/ a high deductable. Allow you to put up to 5250 $ into a nontaxed account to be used for medical issues. So you can reduce your taxable income by either the deductable amount up $5250, put that cash into an Medical Savings Account, whose income is NOT taxable.
#56. To: robin (#21)
or state or county govt, so they have reasonably priced insurance?
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