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By: Bettie on 11/1/09
God Bless these good health care providers. Insurance companies are evil.
God Bless these good health care providers. Insurance companies are evil.
By: mborohoney on 11/1/09
I personally don't believe its the insurance companies alone. Your insurance is really designed for catastrophic care. If people overuse/abuse medical care, premiums go up. People go to the ER for the minor things in the middle of the night, when they could wait until morning and get the same care at a walk in clinic.
The insurance system was ruined 20 years ago when the HMO/PPO's were designed by the Drs/Hospitals. Who wouldn't go to the doctor for a sniffle if they only have to pay $20? If you had to pay the entire fee of a doctor visit ($100+), because the fee is applied toward your $ 5,000 deductible, you probably wouldn't go ($20 is easier to lay on the counter than $100 isn't it?). Same thing holds true for RX charges. When they developed the drug card, people began not worrying about filling that prescription the doctor gave them. They started paying $10/$20/$35 or even $50 for a prescription that really costs them $ 150+. Where is the difference in the cost of the drug going in this situation? It is paid by the insurance company with your premium. Guess what, the premiums are cheaper than the medical/rx costs.
Again, don't just blame the insurance companies. The insurance people are probably playing golf every week with the doctors, hospital administrators and the rx people.
I personally don't believe its the insurance companies alone. Your insurance is really designed for catastrophic care. If people overuse/abuse medical care, premiums go up. People go to the ER for the minor things in the middle of the night, when they could wait until morning and get the same care at a walk in clinic.
The insurance system was ruined 20 years ago when the HMO/PPO's were designed by the Drs/Hospitals. Who wouldn't go to the doctor for a sniffle if they only have to pay $20? If you had to pay the entire fee of a doctor visit ($100+), because the fee is applied toward your $ 5,000 deductible, you probably wouldn't go ($20 is easier to lay on the counter than $100 isn't it?). Same thing holds true for RX charges. When they developed the drug card, people began not worrying about filling that prescription the doctor gave them. They started paying $10/$20/$35 or even $50 for a prescription that really costs them $ 150+. Where is the difference in the cost of the drug going in this situation? It is paid by the insurance company with your premium. Guess what, the premiums are cheaper than the medical/rx costs.
Again, don't just blame the insurance companies. The insurance people are probably playing golf every week with the doctors, hospital administrators and the rx people.
By: mm123 on 11/1/09
mborohoney made some excellent points. As an employee of one of the nation's largest insurance companies, I have a large health insurance deductible. We don't get an option with a low deductible with co-payments. Our premiums are very low, but that high deductible makes you think before running to the doctor.
I definitely don't go to the doctor as often as I did previously when I had a co-pay. I have also started utilizing the grocery store clinic for small things since it is only $59 for an office visit.
This is the second insurance company I have worked for, and both had these plans for employees. Our deductibles can be as high as $5000 for a family, but the premiums can be under $100 per month. If I had chronic conditions that needed constant care, I would prefer my old insurance. But this method works for now, and I do save money.
Here are some interesting figures I found when googling "salaries insurance company ceo." I bet these guys get the best health care available.
Ins. Co. & CEO With 2007 Total CEO Compensation
* Aetna Ronald A. Williams: $23,045,834
* Cigna H. Edward Hanway: $25,839,777
* Coventry Dale B. Wolf : $14,869,823
* Health Net Jay M. Gellert: $3,686,230
* Humana Michael McCallister: $10,312,557
* U.Health Grp Stephen J. Hemsley: $13,164,529
* WellPoint Angela Braly (2007): $9,094,271
L. Glasscock (2006): $23,886,169
Ins. Co. & CEO With 2008 Total CEO Compensation
* Aetna, Ronald A. Williams: $24,300,112
* Cigna, H. Edward Hanway: $12,236,740
* Coventry, Dale Wolf: $9,047,469
* Health Net, Jay Gellert: $4,425,355
* Humana, Michael McCallister: $4,764,309
* U. Health Group, Stephen J. Hemsley: $3,241,042
* Wellpoint, Angela Braly: $9,844,212
mborohoney made some excellent points. As an employee of one of the nation's largest insurance companies, I have a large health insurance deductible. We don't get an option with a low deductible with co-payments. Our premiums are very low, but that high deductible makes you think before running to the doctor.
I definitely don't go to the doctor as often as I did previously when I had a co-pay. I have also started utilizing the grocery store clinic for small things since it is only $59 for an office visit.
This is the second insurance company I have worked for, and both had these plans for employees. Our deductibles can be as high as $5000 for a family, but the premiums can be under $100 per month. If I had chronic conditions that needed constant care, I would prefer my old insurance. But this method works for now, and I do save money.
Here are some interesting figures I found when googling "salaries insurance company ceo." I bet these guys get the best health care available.
Ins. Co. & CEO With 2007 Total CEO Compensation
* Aetna Ronald A. Williams: $23,045,834
* Cigna H. Edward Hanway: $25,839,777
* Coventry Dale B. Wolf : $14,869,823
* Health Net Jay M. Gellert: $3,686,230
* Humana Michael McCallister: $10,312,557
* U.Health Grp Stephen J. Hemsley: $13,164,529
* WellPoint Angela Braly (2007): $9,094,271
L. Glasscock (2006): $23,886,169
Ins. Co. & CEO With 2008 Total CEO Compensation
* Aetna, Ronald A. Williams: $24,300,112
* Cigna, H. Edward Hanway: $12,236,740
* Coventry, Dale Wolf: $9,047,469
* Health Net, Jay Gellert: $4,425,355
* Humana, Michael McCallister: $4,764,309
* U. Health Group, Stephen J. Hemsley: $3,241,042
* Wellpoint, Angela Braly: $9,844,212
By: Justus on 11/1/09
If you want to know why health care costs so much, follow the money.
If you want to know why health care costs so much, follow the money.
By: Farmall on 11/2/09
We went to a "in-network hospital" with an "in-network doctor". They used an out of network x-ray in the hospital. So now I am saddled with a $287 bill for a single x-ray. No wonder some people are wanting Obama care. Until the individual is in charge we will have problems using a third party system. Bring on the HSA and the MSA.
We went to a "in-network hospital" with an "in-network doctor". They used an out of network x-ray in the hospital. So now I am saddled with a $287 bill for a single x-ray. No wonder some people are wanting Obama care. Until the individual is in charge we will have problems using a third party system. Bring on the HSA and the MSA.
By: SocEtTuem on 11/2/09
Wait until old Doc has to start dealing with the government and it's "forms" is he thinks Insurance companies are a burden. Just ask a car dealer what it was like to recoup from cash for clunkers.
Wait until old Doc has to start dealing with the government and it's "forms" is he thinks Insurance companies are a burden. Just ask a car dealer what it was like to recoup from cash for clunkers.
By: publius on 11/2/09
I am an RN in a dialysis clinic. Health ins co stack the deck. Medicare for all it's faults does provide care and does it with a much lower overhead. It does not tell Dr's that tey can not do this test or that as do Private insurance. Medicare does not tell your Dr which medications that can be prescribed. Private insurance companies do. We need to start being Americans and stop being republicans and democrats. Insurance co's are raking us over the coals and are a big a part of the problem. The government forms are not the problem I fill those out it is short sweet and simple. private ins is another story. by the way Medicare spend 4% in administration private ins is upwards of 25%. Private insurance co execs make millions a year. stop letting the fact that you don't like Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama color your vision so that you don't make an informed choice
I am an RN in a dialysis clinic. Health ins co stack the deck. Medicare for all it's faults does provide care and does it with a much lower overhead. It does not tell Dr's that tey can not do this test or that as do Private insurance. Medicare does not tell your Dr which medications that can be prescribed. Private insurance companies do. We need to start being Americans and stop being republicans and democrats. Insurance co's are raking us over the coals and are a big a part of the problem. The government forms are not the problem I fill those out it is short sweet and simple. private ins is another story. by the way Medicare spend 4% in administration private ins is upwards of 25%. Private insurance co execs make millions a year. stop letting the fact that you don't like Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama color your vision so that you don't make an informed choice
By: hamrtyme on 11/2/09
Insurance companies V Doctors V Patients.
I had my knee joint replaced on Sept of last year, in the middle of my recovery, I'm told that TOA was dropping United Health Care, I can totally understand the doc. point of view BUT -- TOA covers just about any orthopedic in this area. Second time this has happened, what are we suppose to do. Now, the greedy docs. & the even greedier insurance companies win & we the patient get the shaft.
Insurance companies V Doctors V Patients.
I had my knee joint replaced on Sept of last year, in the middle of my recovery, I'm told that TOA was dropping United Health Care, I can totally understand the doc. point of view BUT -- TOA covers just about any orthopedic in this area. Second time this has happened, what are we suppose to do. Now, the greedy docs. & the even greedier insurance companies win & we the patient get the shaft.
By: driveguy on 11/2/09
Wait a minute folks, this should not be a government issue. Party politics will always play a role in any decision made. We can want to be americans all we want but if we allow the government to regulate insurance companies then we also allow them to regulate Dr's and let's face it, it will come down to a money issue for Dr's also. Profit potential drives research whether we want to admit it or not and if there is no potential for profit, then cancer research and other cutting edge technologies will not be developed because why should they? They can make much more money elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, healthcare costs are out of control and I do blame the insurance companies for this but, My like or dislike for any politician will not change the fact that if the government creates a "medicare" type healthcare system then I feel that in the long run, we will be asking ourselves "what happened to the quality of healthcare I used to get?" Lower overhead will equal less quality care. Be ready to be on waiting lists to see Dr's and less Dr's enrolling in schools because the potential for making money will not be there. A bigger government that includes healthcare is not the answer, it will result in higher taxes on middle income people, the same people who need help paying for Dr's visits and care. This program will have to payed for somewhere and if the government is involved, I guarantee you it wont be the top 10% income earners of this country.
Wait a minute folks, this should not be a government issue. Party politics will always play a role in any decision made. We can want to be americans all we want but if we allow the government to regulate insurance companies then we also allow them to regulate Dr's and let's face it, it will come down to a money issue for Dr's also. Profit potential drives research whether we want to admit it or not and if there is no potential for profit, then cancer research and other cutting edge technologies will not be developed because why should they? They can make much more money elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, healthcare costs are out of control and I do blame the insurance companies for this but, My like or dislike for any politician will not change the fact that if the government creates a "medicare" type healthcare system then I feel that in the long run, we will be asking ourselves "what happened to the quality of healthcare I used to get?" Lower overhead will equal less quality care. Be ready to be on waiting lists to see Dr's and less Dr's enrolling in schools because the potential for making money will not be there. A bigger government that includes healthcare is not the answer, it will result in higher taxes on middle income people, the same people who need help paying for Dr's visits and care. This program will have to payed for somewhere and if the government is involved, I guarantee you it wont be the top 10% income earners of this country.
By: momx5 on 11/2/09
Great responses, for once the opinions aren't filled with name calling and irrelevant examples. Thanks Rutherford.
Great responses, for once the opinions aren't filled with name calling and irrelevant examples. Thanks Rutherford.
By: mzzle on 11/3/09
Saving doctor's visits until big issues is *exactly* the problem. Preventive care is the most cost effective approach because large, expensive treatments that could have been prevented get avoided. It's much cheaper to go to the doctor four times a year for checkups and small issues, then it is to get treated for advanced ailments that require expensive tests, medication, and maybe hospital care.
Saving doctor's visits until big issues is *exactly* the problem. Preventive care is the most cost effective approach because large, expensive treatments that could have been prevented get avoided. It's much cheaper to go to the doctor four times a year for checkups and small issues, then it is to get treated for advanced ailments that require expensive tests, medication, and maybe hospital care.
By: mzzle on 11/3/09
The Government is the *only* body capable of handling this issue. Insurance companies will not sacrifice their duty to their shareholders, and nobody else is powerful enough to match their resources.
The Government is the *only* body capable of handling this issue. Insurance companies will not sacrifice their duty to their shareholders, and nobody else is powerful enough to match their resources.
By: driveguy on 11/3/09
mzzle,
I struggle a little with the government being the "only" body capable only because of their handling of social security and medicare which is riddled with graft and wasteful spending that ends up being taxpayers responsibility. Social security which I have paid into my whole life will not be there for me and when I need Medicare, how can I be sure that will be affective then too. No, I think that a competative marketplace for private enterprise were companies are competing for our business will gleen more cost effective medical care. Publicly held insurance companies that have responsibilties to shareholders are the reason why insurance premiums are so high and I think a government program that penalizes those who are profiteers and rewards those who are doing everything they can to hold costs down is a better way for the government to control this and not step in and offer a "medicare" type program would serve the public better.
mzzle,
I struggle a little with the government being the "only" body capable only because of their handling of social security and medicare which is riddled with graft and wasteful spending that ends up being taxpayers responsibility. Social security which I have paid into my whole life will not be there for me and when I need Medicare, how can I be sure that will be affective then too. No, I think that a competative marketplace for private enterprise were companies are competing for our business will gleen more cost effective medical care. Publicly held insurance companies that have responsibilties to shareholders are the reason why insurance premiums are so high and I think a government program that penalizes those who are profiteers and rewards those who are doing everything they can to hold costs down is a better way for the government to control this and not step in and offer a "medicare" type program would serve the public better.
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