Health Insurance Makes Me Sick

Truth in advertising?
These look like medical symbols.
They're not; they're insurance symbols.

Two words in the English vernacular that should never have been joined together are health and insurance. An industry that already found ways to detach people from their money by having them bet against their homes, businesses, automobiles and lives decided they could get people to bet against staying healthy. When premiums no longer provided the huge margin of profit the industry had grown to expect they started throwing curves at their customers. “Oh sorry, we can’t have you as a client, you are sick.”  If you weren’t so intimidated that you responded with, “But, that’s why I purchased your product in the first place,” you probably only received the retort, “However, you didn’t tell us about this latent tendency of yours, (insert here: diabetes, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s, et.al.); I’m afraid it’s a pre-existing condition.”

Now, as almost anyone reading this blog knows, the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare disallows the use of pre-existing condition as a method of refusing coverage. It’s still the big flaw with our supposed national healthcare plan: insurance. They’ll just jack the premiums and continue. Ever wonder why the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks the U.S. 38^th in quality of healthcare, but 1^st in per capita cost of healthcare? My answer: Insurance!

How much does this procedure cost?

Most people can tell you what their grocery bill and the gym cost them. I mention these items, because food and exercise are generally considered what keeps a person healthy. On the other hand, almost nobody knows what an MRI or gall bladder surgery costs. As with groceries and gym facilities there is some variance. However, recent investigations have found hospitals within a few miles radius charging ten times as much for the same procedure. Why didn’t the patient check? Unlike food and exercise, the medical world doesn’t tell you what something costs. They only tell you if your insurance will cover it. There it is, again. In the treatment portion of healthcare the consumer is not expected to ask for a menu, like in a restaurant, or a price list, as you might when your car is being repaired. All a patient/consumer needs is coverage and the ability to cover the deductible.

Can you decipher this bill?

Now, don’t get me wrong, under the current system I am grateful for the insurance plan I have. My good friend, Mike, tells me I have a Cadillac plan because I was a teacher. He may be right. For example, last month I finally realized I needed hearing aids and the audiologist told me my insurance company covered them completely. I was shocked, but then realized it was about the same amount as the 10 months of premiums we have been paying since we retired and have to pay the difference between the single plan provided retirees and the family plan we need.

For the past couple months I have been fighting with my insurance company to pay the pharmacy for my regular cholesterol medication. They fight with me every year because I found one that actually reduces its level. Unfortunately, the generic does not. So, my doctor has to give “prior authorization” every time. At times like these I’d prefer the Ford, Chevy or whatever model gets me results. Do you really think the government could screw it up any worse? Am I truly un-American because I don’t want the insurance company giving me a heart attack? If you’re an agent, go back to life, home or auto.