Comments on: Question of the Day – Health Care http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:43:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Star http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-39698 Star Sat, 04 Nov 2006 18:29:18 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-39698 There are so many problems in the health system, I cannot count them. My sister had a hip replacement--the bill was $60K. When she went to check on it, she was told the insurance company only sent $5K. The insurance company said the hospital needed to send in more info and they would pay the balance they owed. This never happened. So the hospital was actually underpaid--but I am sure they will bellyache about reimbursments. Hey--your fault! Hospitals also employ special "hospital doctors" called (originally) hospitalists to manage you, even though they never met you and in my experience, don't want to even talk to you because in some cases their English is not good or they just plain would rather look at the chart than talk with a sick person. How do you even know if this person is board-certified? In most cases, they decide on your treatment and have never even met your doctor. Procedures in hospitals are not consistent--they can be sloppy about giving human blood products and things of that nature. I could go on for hours. We do our job--pay for this damn insurance--but then everyone drops the ball! The US is 78th in the world in health care and over the years, I have seen why! If you think working out at Gold's or eating 13 veggies a day will spare you a hosp visit, do it! Can't hurt, as they say. I run a health humor site...http://healthsass.blogspot.com. You have to laff or you will cry. What the heck--let's do both! There are so many problems in the health system, I cannot count them. My sister had a hip replacement–the bill was $60K. When she went to check on it, she was told the insurance company only sent $5K. The insurance company said the hospital needed to send in more info and they would pay the balance they owed. This never happened. So the hospital was actually underpaid–but I am sure they will bellyache about reimbursments. Hey–your fault!

Hospitals also employ special “hospital doctors” called (originally) hospitalists to manage you, even though they never met you and in my experience, don’t want to even talk to you because in some cases their English is not good or they just plain would rather look at the chart than talk with a sick person. How do you even know if this person is board-certified? In most cases, they decide on your treatment and have never even met your doctor.

Procedures in hospitals are not consistent–they can be sloppy about giving human blood products and things of that nature.

I could go on for hours.

We do our job–pay for this damn insurance–but then everyone drops the ball! The US is 78th in the world in health care and over the years, I have seen why!

If you think working out at Gold’s or eating 13 veggies a day will spare you a hosp visit, do it! Can’t hurt, as they say.

I run a health humor site…http://healthsass.blogspot.com.
You have to laff or you will cry. What the heck–let’s do both!

]]> By: Carlin http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-39356 Carlin Sat, 04 Nov 2006 06:37:22 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-39356 Unnecessary procedures drive up costs. The WSJ had an article about CT scans, and one person had 941 in 18 months I believe. Is it necessary? The article basically said no, it's not. But, because insurance covers it, doctors prescribe it and people have it done (nevermind the fact that's a lot of radiation, which is why a lot of doctors are trying to stop the CT scan everyone for anything movement. And I don't blame most people because if a doctor says hey, you need this, they're the professional, you trust their judgement. This carries over into prescriptions and other medical procedures. Do we really need to have it done? Does it make sense? I posted in the health insurance premium question of the day about my doctor wanting me to get a CT scan, and I told her no, I'm not doing it. There was a simpler solution (stop eating balance bars - and I told her it was probably my diet, the pain started after I began eating them) to curing my stomach pain that should have been her first suggestion, not the $1200 radiation bonanza. Also, when I had my wisdom tooth out, I had to foot the whole bill (even though I have dental coverage, long story). I have another tooth that may need to come out, but it doesn't hurt and it's not hurting anything, so I decided not to pay to have it out. If it didn't cost me anything (but cost the insurance company) would I have had it pulled too? Hell yes, I don't need the tooth and it might cause me pain later, so I'd have it pulled if I didn't have to pay for it. Is that the best idea? No, because I'm having surgery that I may not need. This drives up costs. Unnecessary procedures drive up costs. The WSJ had an article about CT scans, and one person had 941 in 18 months I believe. Is it necessary? The article basically said no, it’s not. But, because insurance covers it, doctors prescribe it and people have it done (nevermind the fact that’s a lot of radiation, which is why a lot of doctors are trying to stop the CT scan everyone for anything movement. And I don’t blame most people because if a doctor says hey, you need this, they’re the professional, you trust their judgement. This carries over into prescriptions and other medical procedures. Do we really need to have it done? Does it make sense? I posted in the health insurance premium question of the day about my doctor wanting me to get a CT scan, and I told her no, I’m not doing it. There was a simpler solution (stop eating balance bars – and I told her it was probably my diet, the pain started after I began eating them) to curing my stomach pain that should have been her first suggestion, not the $1200 radiation bonanza. Also, when I had my wisdom tooth out, I had to foot the whole bill (even though I have dental coverage, long story). I have another tooth that may need to come out, but it doesn’t hurt and it’s not hurting anything, so I decided not to pay to have it out. If it didn’t cost me anything (but cost the insurance company) would I have had it pulled too? Hell yes, I don’t need the tooth and it might cause me pain later, so I’d have it pulled if I didn’t have to pay for it. Is that the best idea? No, because I’m having surgery that I may not need. This drives up costs.

]]> By: » Retirement Rules http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-39280 » Retirement Rules Fri, 03 Nov 2006 22:00:21 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-39280 [...] 5. Take care of your health. JLP from AllFinancialMatters article on Health Care. [...] [...] 5. Take care of your health. JLP from AllFinancialMatters article on Health Care. [...]

]]> By: MoneyFwd http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-39181 MoneyFwd Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:11:30 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-39181 Although insurance payers may cover some of the cost of the uninsured, private hospitals generally provide a lot of care that they are uncompensated for. I've seen this amount be in the tens of millions a year. Although insurance payers may cover some of the cost of the uninsured, private hospitals generally provide a lot of care that they are uncompensated for. I’ve seen this amount be in the tens of millions a year.

]]> By: john http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-38917 john Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:45:16 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-38917 Originally I thought the ideas was great, but now I don't buy that HCSA will save much money. They can only change the margins (10% or so). You don't shop around for the other 90%, the expensive care - emergency and urgent care. Something else has to be done for that. The current system seems inefficient. We argue monthly with our health insurance provider, the doctors have to hire workers deal with the insurance company who try to get the best deal for the doctor. Meanwhile, the insurance company routinely denies coverage to minimize their costs. It almost makes me want to move to Massachusetts. Originally I thought the ideas was great, but now I don’t buy that HCSA will save much money. They can only change the margins (10% or so). You don’t shop around for the other 90%, the expensive care – emergency and urgent care. Something else has to be done for that.

The current system seems inefficient. We argue monthly with our health insurance provider, the doctors have to hire workers deal with the insurance company who try to get the best deal for the doctor. Meanwhile, the insurance company routinely denies coverage to minimize their costs.

It almost makes me want to move to Massachusetts.

]]> By: J.vigna http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-38891 J.vigna Thu, 02 Nov 2006 23:31:29 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-38891 According to govt reports,47 million Americans have no insurance, but they do have medical coverage- free of charge. These 47m go to any emergency room or public clinic and get medical care. Guess who pays for it? The rest of us that have coverage. I would like to see the govt employee FEHB plan be expanded to include all employees. The FEHB negotiates lower premiums with hundreds of insurance plans. The indivdual then choses the plan that fits his/her needs. COBRA needs to be extended from 18 months to 5 years. It at least makes insurance available, if not cheap. These two suggestions would not cost the govt or employers a penny more than it does now. It would force insurance companies and medical providers to stream line the admin procedures and expand benefits to be competitive. According to govt reports,47 million Americans have no insurance, but they do have medical coverage- free of charge. These 47m go to any emergency room or public clinic and get medical care. Guess who pays for it? The rest of us that have coverage.
I would like to see the govt employee FEHB plan be expanded to include all employees. The FEHB negotiates lower premiums with hundreds of insurance plans. The indivdual then choses the plan that fits his/her needs.
COBRA needs to be extended from 18 months to 5 years. It at least makes insurance available, if not cheap.
These two suggestions would not cost the govt or employers a penny more than it does now. It would force insurance companies and medical providers to stream line the admin procedures and expand benefits to be competitive.

]]> By: sam http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-38869 sam Thu, 02 Nov 2006 22:11:18 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-38869 Some ideas that haven't been touched on by other commenters are: Special interests influence state and Federal legislators to require health insurance policies to carry coverage for a multitude of things that drive up the cost of a policy. States can (and do) prevent their residents from looking for lower cost policies in other states without those mandates. Health insurance has become "prepaid health care". Imagine what your car insurance would cost if it covered fill ups, car washes, and oil changes in addition to crashes - and left it up to you to decide how often the car got washed, and oil changed. American's demand high quality care and vote with their pocketbooks and feet. Private hospital rooms are unheard of in countries with national health systems, but Americans demand them (I would as well.) In other countries, what they got is what you get - take it or leave it. Some ideas that haven’t been touched on by other commenters are:

Special interests influence state and Federal legislators to require health insurance policies to carry coverage for a multitude of things that drive up the cost of a policy. States can (and do) prevent their residents from looking for lower cost policies in other states without those mandates.

Health insurance has become “prepaid health care”. Imagine what your car insurance would cost if it covered fill ups, car washes, and oil changes in addition to crashes – and left it up to you to decide how often the car got washed, and oil changed.

American’s demand high quality care and vote with their pocketbooks and feet. Private hospital rooms are unheard of in countries with national health systems, but Americans demand them (I would as well.) In other countries, what they got is what you get – take it or leave it.

]]> By: Foobarista http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-38858 Foobarista Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:54:24 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-38858 My take: 1. We want to live forever. 2. Things that used to kill us now allow us to live long and expensively with chronic conditions. 3. We actually live more healthy lives than we used to, due to less physical work, less smoking, and lower pollution. So, more people get old and come down with expensive geriatric issues than they used to. Now that the baby boom generation is hitting its geriatric age, this stuff will explode. My take:

1. We want to live forever.
2. Things that used to kill us now allow us to live long and expensively with chronic conditions.
3. We actually live more healthy lives than we used to, due to less physical work, less smoking, and lower pollution. So, more people get old and come down with expensive geriatric issues than they used to. Now that the baby boom generation is hitting its geriatric age, this stuff will explode.

]]> By: WearyTraveler http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-38832 WearyTraveler Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:20:04 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-38832 I read somewhere that there are companies out there where individuals can get a better price than in COBRA or many employer provided plans. I don't remember the article or magazine, but I think that's what it said. Anyone out there have any information about healthcare providers that are cheaper? I read somewhere that there are companies out there where individuals can get a better price than in COBRA or many employer provided plans. I don’t remember the article or magazine, but I think that’s what it said. Anyone out there have any information about healthcare providers that are cheaper?

]]> By: Michael http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/comment-page-1/#comment-38830 Michael Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:17:53 +0000 http://allthingsfinancialblog.com/2006/11/02/question-of-the-day-health-care/#comment-38830 Several reasons: We are lawsuit-happy as a culture; We do focus on the "fix" intead of preventive care; We are the most obese nation on the face of the earth; There are huge administrative costs associated with US healthcare; Politics ... the constituencies most affected by the state of health care coverage in this country (the poor and some of the elderly) do not have the means to influence politicians. I agree with Sarah above; Kaiser was excellent when I worked in Oregon from '97-'04. Low co-pays and (usually) friendly service. My sinus surgery cost a total of about $75.00 ... the actual cost of the operation based on the statements I saw afterward was around $18,000. Now I am in NC and the legislature, for whatever reason, cannot come up with equivalent quality coverage for state employees. Our choices are pretty lousy compare to OR. It seems to me if you have 10 - 12,0000 securely employed workers, that would give the legislature significant leverage toward negotiating savings and low co-pays with some HMO. IF the legislature had a spine ...... Several reasons:
We are lawsuit-happy as a culture;
We do focus on the “fix” intead of preventive care;
We are the most obese nation on the face of the earth;
There are huge administrative costs associated with US healthcare;
Politics … the constituencies most affected by the state of health care coverage in this country (the poor and some of the elderly) do not have the means to influence politicians.
I agree with Sarah above; Kaiser was excellent when I worked in Oregon from ’97-’04. Low co-pays and (usually) friendly service. My sinus surgery cost a total of about $75.00 … the actual cost of the operation based on the statements I saw afterward was around $18,000.
Now I am in NC and the legislature, for whatever reason, cannot come up with equivalent quality coverage for state employees. Our choices are pretty lousy compare to OR. It seems to me if you have 10 – 12,0000 securely employed workers, that would give the legislature significant leverage toward negotiating savings and low co-pays with some HMO. IF the legislature had a spine ……

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