DMV-Style Healthcare

Oct 4, 2009 6:12 pm

I LOLed at this.  Creative stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXtS2RMBukQ&feature=player_embedded

Oct 4, 2009 11:40 pm

I’d love to be laughing, but I believe we already have DMV style healthcare…and I have the expensive stuff. And, every time I look at the folder on my desk, I just get more angry.

In fact, these past 10 years have been so atrocious that even though I expect any new plan to be a catastrophe, I still support making a change.

Oct 4, 2009 11:44 pm

I’ll never understand why people have expensive health care. Mine is pretty inexpensive. And I’m self-employed.

Oct 4, 2009 11:47 pm

[quote=Moraen]I’ll never understand why people have expensive health care. Mine is pretty inexpensive. And I’m self-employed.[/quote]

The price usually is driven by the deductible and the maximum coverage. If you have a low deductible and unlimited coverage, it is never cheap.

Oct 4, 2009 11:52 pm

My deductible is $500. Co-insurance is 80/20. My premium is $167.43 a month since I dropped my wife (she’s got it through the university for free).

Oct 5, 2009 12:02 am

[quote=Moraen]My deductible is $500. Co-insurance is 80/20. My premium is $167.43 a month since I dropped my wife (she’s got it through the university for free).[/quote]

It is close to $1200/month for a whole family in my state if you want no limitations on coverage…then those f***ers try to limit your coverage.

Oct 5, 2009 12:15 am

Dude that sucks.

Oct 5, 2009 2:34 am

[quote=Moraen]My deductible is $500. Co-insurance is 80/20. My premium is $167.43 a month since I dropped my wife (she’s got it through the university for free).[/quote]

What’s your stop-loss and how long have you had the policy?

Oct 5, 2009 2:48 am

Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr



Unlimited lifetime benefits.



I’ve only had this particular policy about a year.



Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.

Oct 5, 2009 3:33 am

[quote=Moraen]Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr



Unlimited lifetime benefits.



I’ve only had this particular policy about a year.



Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.[/quote]

Sounds like you’ve got a nice plan.  Just so you’re aware they’re likely going to jack the rates up big time once you get past the 2-year contestability period.  That’s what Assurant Health did to the plan I bought 3 years ago.  Bastards.

Oct 5, 2009 1:28 pm

So the most you can pay per year is $4500 (premium plus deductible plus co-ins)?  That just seems low, but I guess I am comparing your single coverage to my family coverage.  I’ve never really looked at single coverage.  What is your prescrip benefit?

Oct 5, 2009 1:36 pm
Moraen:

Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr

Unlimited lifetime benefits.

I’ve only had this particular policy about a year.

Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.

I'm not saying this to call BS, I am genuinely curious because I don't know how it works...   Aren't you covered on some level by the VA too? Wouldn't that defer some of your cost?
Oct 5, 2009 3:11 pm
SometimesNowhere:

[quote=Moraen]Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr Unlimited lifetime benefits. I’ve only had this particular policy about a year. Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.





I’m not saying this to call BS, I am genuinely curious because I don’t know how it works…



Aren’t you covered on some level by the VA too? Wouldn’t that defer some of your cost?[/quote]



The VA only covers injuries that occurred in the line of duty, unless you are 100% disabled. In which case, I wouldn’t be paying jack for health insurance. In my case, my left eye, my right knee, my neck, back. You have to go to a VA facility for that. Also, my shoulder and any psychological injuries that may be present (PTSD).



To be honest, I’m not sure how it works. There are a couple of people on the boards that live in the same state as I do, so maybe they know. I used a lady who specifically does health insurance. This is the rate I got. I can fax you my card without my policy number and name on it if you want.



Oct 5, 2009 3:14 pm
B24:

So the most you can pay per year is $4500 (premium plus deductible plus co-ins)? That just seems low, but I guess I am comparing your single coverage to my family coverage. I’ve never really looked at single coverage. What is your prescrip benefit?



Prescription is $10 for generics, $35 for brand. There is a $100 deductible before that occurs though. Also, those numbers before were for in-network (which is most providers). $150 ER visit/$30 Urgent care. I'm just reading off of the card right now.

You also have to consider I'm in fairly good physical condition. Drink rarely. Never smoked. Cholesterol is low, etc.

I don't know guys. All I know is I wouldn't be paying that outrageous sums you guys are.

I'd look at single coverage if you can.
Oct 5, 2009 3:17 pm

[quote=Moraen] [quote=SometimesNowhere] [quote=Moraen]Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr Unlimited lifetime benefits. I’ve only had this particular policy about a year. Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.[/quote]



I'm not saying this to call BS, I am genuinely curious because I don't know how it works...
 
Aren't you covered on some level by the VA too? Wouldn't that defer some of your cost?[/quote]

The VA only covers injuries that occurred in the line of duty, unless you are 100% disabled. In which case, I wouldn't be paying jack for health insurance. In my case, my left eye, my right knee, my neck, back. You have to go to a VA facility for that. Also, my shoulder and any psychological injuries that may be present (PTSD).

To be honest, I'm not sure how it works. There are a couple of people on the boards that live in the same state as I do, so maybe they know. I used a lady who specifically does health insurance. This is the rate I got. I can fax you my card without my policy number and name on it if you want.

[/quote]   Understood.   No need for that, I was just curious how that works for someone that was in the service. Seems like we owe a bit more than that.
Oct 5, 2009 11:48 pm

[quote=BerkshireBull]

[quote=Moraen]Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr

Unlimited lifetime benefits.

I’ve only had this particular policy about a year.


Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.[/quote]
Sounds like you’ve got a nice plan.  Just so you’re aware they’re likely going to jack the rates up big time once you get past the 2-year contestability period.  That’s what Assurant Health did to the plan I bought 3 years ago.  Bastards.
[/quote]

You have to be very careful of that. If there’s a contestability period and you develop a serious condition, they will claim “pre-existing” and they will do everything they can not to pay your claim (aka: you won’t be able to get the treatment you need, when you need it).

The good thing is, most people do not develop serious conditions, but for those who do, the insurance companies are pure evil. I think this is the case with a 17 year old girl in Calif. named Nataline Sarkisyan. Last I heard, her lawyer wants to file murder or manslaughter charges against CIGNA because they delayed her transplant and she died.

Oct 6, 2009 12:04 am

I’ve never had a problem with health insurance. Always seems to me if you fill out the paperwork correctly and are legitimately sick the insurance company will take care of you.



But I’ve heard the stories too. And seen the movies.



Also, half of my life I had military health benefits (I guess more than half of my life), so what do I know? But I also believe that prevention (exercise, eating correctly, moderation in everything) is the key to making sure nothing really bad happens to you. Are there exceptions? Sure.



Oct 7, 2009 1:55 am

[quote=Still@jones]

[quote=BerkshireBull]

[quote=Moraen]Co-insurance maximum is $2000/yr

Unlimited lifetime benefits.

I’ve only had this particular policy about a year.


Had an HSA before, but was never getting close to the deductible. It’s preferred plus, if that helps. BCBS.[/quote]
Sounds like you’ve got a nice plan.  Just so you’re aware they’re likely going to jack the rates up big time once you get past the 2-year contestability period.  That’s what Assurant Health did to the plan I bought 3 years ago.  Bastards.
[/quote]

You have to be very careful of that. If there’s a contestability period and you develop a serious condition, they will claim “pre-existing” and they will do everything they can not to pay your claim (aka: you won’t be able to get the treatment you need, when you need it).

The good thing is, most people do not develop serious conditions, but for those who do, the insurance companies are pure evil. I think this is the case with a 17 year old girl in Calif. named Nataline Sarkisyan. Last I heard, her lawyer wants to file murder or manslaughter charges against CIGNA because they delayed her transplant and she died.

[/quote]

We had that happen to a client’s father.  He retired at 60, bought a private plan with WPS, 6 months into it diagnosed with renal failure, $200,000 in health costs have piled up over the last year associated with a transplant and etc, WPS has not paid a cent in claims saying it was pre-existing.  Now the guy is in court with a team of attorneys suing WPS and the insurance agent who sold the policy.