It should be no surprise to anyone that a democratic bill, phased in over several years will reach the point of covering the uninsured in 2013. It will begin with collecting taxes on "the rich", banking the cash for pay-out in 2013. Can you spell Social Security?...Medicare?...bankrupt? Enough of the sarcasm for now. This is really a serious subject. What are people to do between now and 2013?? or longer?? We really can't expect things to change over night...the mess didn't develop over night.
There are some options within the current quagmire of health care. You may need to work around some things, through other things/providers and work WITH providers. I told a friend recently (who is uninsured) that if I could advise on 1 item, it would be to negotiate with healthcare providers (Doctors, hospitals, etc). However, you cannot expect it to be like the good doctor making a house call for a dozen eggs. But...this concept/strategy is worth a try. It will not be easy with negotiations because providers in this healthcare market are generally paid to provide more care (needed or not). The market will move toward an end in which this negotiation is more attractive. Just think...you could arrange with a physician to pay a certain amount (cash or services) for a visit, procedure, etc...at a discount of full price (of which is always over-priced). What is the incentive for the doctor? No paperwork, insurance forms, the time spent for billing, coding, re-billing. This, of course is only useful if you do pay your negotiated part and up-front.
Do you provide a service that could be useful to the provider? Plumbing, electric, drafting, cleaning, yeard work?? Perhaps, you could trade services. Think about other services that may be of potential use for bartering. Please share your thoughts and suggestions about this topic. Kind of an interesting way to approach your healthcare? Think about it...share with us.
Until next time... Simplify Your HealthCare with Alice@ezhealthcareonline.com
Showing posts with label uninsured. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uninsured. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Can You Obtain Health Insurance?
As statistics continue to indicate the increasing numbers of uninsured in the US, it is (or should be) of utmost concern to every American that the team we elect into the presidency as of January has a firm plan to reform health care. In my opinion, the health care system is in a state of turmoil akin to the economic crisis. They are going to go hand-in-hand. Today, WebMD published articles related to the uninsured which did reinforce what we have been told all along of the number of uninsured. Along with these statistics, a recent study by Consumer Reports was highlighted that indicated it has become increasingly more difficult for individuals to obtain insurance coverage.
Here's the link to the article: http://www.webmd.com/news/20071203/buying-health-insurance-on-your-own
In other words, if they do not have group coverage through the employer, it is difficult or near impossible to obtain it unless you are completely healthy. They told the story of a woman with Rheumatoid arthritis who lost her group insurance when her employer discontinued the plan. With her arthritis, the only thing that was keeping her from being completely disabled was a monthly injection of a medication costing $1400-$1700 per month. She has been turned down for most policy coverage or when accepted, it was to exclude any costs related to the rheumatoid arthritis.
I restate parts of the story to make a point. This situation is not an isolated one. I am fairly sure if I lost my group coverage, I would not be able to obtain coverage, or at least not anything I consider comprehensive and or affordable. In the above situation, she is actually considering not taking her injections (because of cost) until she is completely disabled again, then file for disability through the government systems. Now, is this what we want or need in a health care system? I think not, but it is not the fault of the insurance companies. I believe the insurance situation is a by-product of ever increasing costs of technology, drug research and development as well as the increase in the human life span. The attached link is to another article published on WebMD of items to consider and look for if you find yourself in the position of searching for health policy coverage.
It is extremely important that we demand of our legislators and the upcoming President of the US to implement a plan that will ensure every American is able to obtain health coverage regardless of current health conditions. We need to hold them responsible to first, implement a committee of health personnel and non-health care persons to identify what we actually do expect from our health care system. Then, do whatever it takes to find funding that will provide at least that basic requirement for every American. Now, I don't mean to imply that there is no personal financial responsibility.
As you can see, I am somewhat passionate about this topic. Due to that passion, I have provided some helpful resources on my web site (http://www.ezhealthcareonline.com/ ). I would also like to recommend a book recently published by a colleague. The book is "Healing Health Care" by Dr. Roger Howe. His analysis does give an interesting perspective of approaching a solution to this crisis...and yes, it is a crisis. That is my opinion.
Here's the link to the article: http://www.webmd.com/news/20071203/buying-health-insurance-on-your-own
In other words, if they do not have group coverage through the employer, it is difficult or near impossible to obtain it unless you are completely healthy. They told the story of a woman with Rheumatoid arthritis who lost her group insurance when her employer discontinued the plan. With her arthritis, the only thing that was keeping her from being completely disabled was a monthly injection of a medication costing $1400-$1700 per month. She has been turned down for most policy coverage or when accepted, it was to exclude any costs related to the rheumatoid arthritis.
I restate parts of the story to make a point. This situation is not an isolated one. I am fairly sure if I lost my group coverage, I would not be able to obtain coverage, or at least not anything I consider comprehensive and or affordable. In the above situation, she is actually considering not taking her injections (because of cost) until she is completely disabled again, then file for disability through the government systems. Now, is this what we want or need in a health care system? I think not, but it is not the fault of the insurance companies. I believe the insurance situation is a by-product of ever increasing costs of technology, drug research and development as well as the increase in the human life span. The attached link is to another article published on WebMD of items to consider and look for if you find yourself in the position of searching for health policy coverage.
It is extremely important that we demand of our legislators and the upcoming President of the US to implement a plan that will ensure every American is able to obtain health coverage regardless of current health conditions. We need to hold them responsible to first, implement a committee of health personnel and non-health care persons to identify what we actually do expect from our health care system. Then, do whatever it takes to find funding that will provide at least that basic requirement for every American. Now, I don't mean to imply that there is no personal financial responsibility.
As you can see, I am somewhat passionate about this topic. Due to that passion, I have provided some helpful resources on my web site (http://www.ezhealthcareonline.com/ ). I would also like to recommend a book recently published by a colleague. The book is "Healing Health Care" by Dr. Roger Howe. His analysis does give an interesting perspective of approaching a solution to this crisis...and yes, it is a crisis. That is my opinion.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Health Insurance: To Buy or Not to Buy? That is the question
Hi everyone!
I am back to continue our discussions.
Many of us are fortunate enough to have employers who provide a significant portion of our health insurance coverage. Today I am very grateful for that but that has not always been the case. I need to tell a story. Being a nurse, my employment options have always been fairly solid, i.e. among other things my Health Insurance policy has always been provided with very little out of pocket expense. Not to long ago I was transitioning out of one job/employer with the intent to take a break and “find myself”. My little break meant I would be paying my own health insurance. I could not believe how much it cost! This was just for myself (but it was very good coverage)…I really couldn’t even guess what it might have cost if it was a family policy…Oh My Gosh! So, I am paying my way and there is no income…you can imagine this might not last very long. I also ran up some additional expenses. Suddenly I ran out of money and didn’t have another job lined up at the moment. I depleted my entire savings, had an excessive amount of revolving debt and had More Out-Go than In-Come. I was riding a very thin financial line.
All this story to say that at that point, if a large expense occurred I would have absolutely no resources to manage. I could easily see how the middle management, middle aged person can end up sleeping in a cardboard box down by the river. I was very fortunate to be able to secure another position (one that is right for me) that provided benefits. I managed to get my revolving (credit cards) debt down while I checked on other options. I could see the abyss and it was scary. I can now see how people could let themselves be without insurance. Similar decisions as to whether to take the dog in for her yearly vaccinations or pay the electric bill are somewhat common at my house these days.
Now, we can finally get to the question of can you go without insurance??? My opinion is a big fat NO!
What do you guys think about this topic? Let me hear from you. I will return later and continue...unless you guys give me something else to talk about.
Alice
I am back to continue our discussions.
Many of us are fortunate enough to have employers who provide a significant portion of our health insurance coverage. Today I am very grateful for that but that has not always been the case. I need to tell a story. Being a nurse, my employment options have always been fairly solid, i.e. among other things my Health Insurance policy has always been provided with very little out of pocket expense. Not to long ago I was transitioning out of one job/employer with the intent to take a break and “find myself”. My little break meant I would be paying my own health insurance. I could not believe how much it cost! This was just for myself (but it was very good coverage)…I really couldn’t even guess what it might have cost if it was a family policy…Oh My Gosh! So, I am paying my way and there is no income…you can imagine this might not last very long. I also ran up some additional expenses. Suddenly I ran out of money and didn’t have another job lined up at the moment. I depleted my entire savings, had an excessive amount of revolving debt and had More Out-Go than In-Come. I was riding a very thin financial line.
All this story to say that at that point, if a large expense occurred I would have absolutely no resources to manage. I could easily see how the middle management, middle aged person can end up sleeping in a cardboard box down by the river. I was very fortunate to be able to secure another position (one that is right for me) that provided benefits. I managed to get my revolving (credit cards) debt down while I checked on other options. I could see the abyss and it was scary. I can now see how people could let themselves be without insurance. Similar decisions as to whether to take the dog in for her yearly vaccinations or pay the electric bill are somewhat common at my house these days.
Now, we can finally get to the question of can you go without insurance??? My opinion is a big fat NO!
What do you guys think about this topic? Let me hear from you. I will return later and continue...unless you guys give me something else to talk about.
Alice
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