American Health Care

[Amphiaraus]

So. I guess up there in the Great White North, you get gubmint wacky tobacky instead of gubmint cheese?

*nods*

You got that right: B.C.'s economy is resource- and export-based. While we're all proud of our shale gas production, hydroelectric and softwood exports, it's BC bud that really finances the Province's economy.

Does this knowledge depress me? Is Eric a quick typist? Does it rain in the Pacific Northwest? Stay tuned for these answers and many more...

[Tery]

Todash, I used to do billing and handle insurance for a large medical clinic. I cannot tell you how spot on this is:

Doctors' offices, hospitals, etc., have people specifically devoted to billing because it's all a nightmare. Every insurance company has different rules, different coverages, etc., and that adds HUGE inefficiencies into the system.

When I worked at this clinic, it was in 1989-90 - just before it all went to HMOs with their Preferred providers, referrals and the like. I witnessed them beginning to do what they do so well now: turn down charges for one jacka$$ reason or another. I would spend a lot of time on the phone with said HMOs trying to pin them down on why such-and-such wasn't covered. It was like nailing jello to a wall. And this was before they got really, really good at it. They didn't appreciate me advocating for our doctors and patients so they had me fired. They pulled strings and had me fired.

So, yeah, I know all about all the codes and paperwork and every other damned reason they squirm out of paying.

[Sundrop]

I purchase my own health insurance and pay $180 a month for it. I have a $30 office copay and a $6000 deductible. I have to pay $180 a month because I have a pre-existing condition, otherwise I would only be paying $120 a month. How many people who complain about the cost of health insurance or don't think they can afford it easily spend $120-$180 a month on cell phones and cable TV?

I used to purchase my own health insurance......I started out paying 98 dollars per month, this was in 1996. My per month premium rose a little every year whether I used the coverage or not. It finally rose to 567 dollars per month in 2011, at which time I had to cancel it. I had no pre existing conditions. Since I worked 3 jobs in 2012 and earned only a little over 12,000 total, I can't believe you just asked that question. I cannot afford anything easily.....muchless overpriced health insurance. Believe it or not, there are hard working people out there who earn less than a living wage, and seriously cannot afford the high premiums.

[guido tkp]

sundrop...agreed...it's amazing how many people hear stupid ****e bleated out by pol's and hacks and repeat it all as if it were gospel 'n true...

my co. offers two distinct programs: one for part-timers...one for full timers...each sucks badly: i get my ins. thru my wifes employer, which offers a far better program at better rates and better premiums

people should realize that just because you've found a pot of gold, doesn't mean everyone gets to share...

i have a long time mgr leaving me next week...where she'll go, they offer fully paid ins.

that is 100% better than the best plan our co. currently offers...sure, she'll have to work within their system...go to their drs...and have some minimal copays...but it'll be far better than what she gets thru us...

just by switching jobs...i shouldn't have to worry about losing good people just because of ins., but i do.

ins. should be pretty much the same...but as tery so brilliantly pointed out..it ain't now and its never gonna be as long as there is profit to be made...

we already exist, and always have, in that shady, grey/black world of death panels that palin dunce whined about...only they've always been run by the ins. co.'s...

[Tery]

Amen, guido!

Right now, I belong to a co-operative and it's much like having socialized medicine (gasp!). The docs all work for a salary, they are not paid by procedure or diagnosis. This keeps it affordable. We pay a $30 office visit co-pay (up $10 over the past 10 years) and have a small deductible. It's a lot better than what I read about. I'm glad we have such a good health insurance company but I'd be happier of everyone had similar coverage.