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RE: helthcare - chrischris - 10-26-2009 12:46 PM
Admin, the doctor my husband and I go to, also an internist, does not accept any of the "blues" as he calls them. His reason is because he doesn't want them telling him how to practice medicine.
He charges a flat rate fee for our annual exam, and a flat rate fee for all doctor visits. He says he trusts his patients so if you can't pay upfront, send in the money when you have it.
He takes his time, listens to his patients, truly loves being a doctor, and follows up regularly making phone calls, etc. He says he is available to his patients 24/7 if we need him. I have never had a better doctor.
For things like lab work, mammograms, referrals to other specialties, so far our insurance has covered these.
On the other hand, since we do have private insurance, we send in his bill, to blue cross, and receive a "portion" of our payment back. Blue Cross pays out of network medical at a fraction of the actual charges, and not much more for in network as I see from the EOB's.
He's worth every penny.
RE: helthcare - Bad Boy Bad Boy - 10-26-2009 01:02 PM
ADMIN, I wouldn't argue the point of medical care being much cheaper and all.
You know me by know. I just like to take a short shot, at a lQQk, at what is possible only of the complete picture is all.
I mean no harm.
Just wanted to show, one still might need HealthCare Insurance for other issues then just a doctor's visit.
Now in Medicare, here in Illinois, Tuffy and I, for that is all I know of right now, have Hummana Insurance. Supplement for Medicare. With Hummana, we have a choice also. Like me, I took the PPO Plan. By doing this, it allows me freedom of doctors and don't need referrals. But it cost me only $78.00 a month to have this. Now the HMO Plan, is cheap, in fact the cost to me per month is ZERO, with the same benefits paid as the PPO plan. Except freedom of going to doctor to doctor is then a referral. Either way not bad. Now, after I took the PPO plan, I then found out, my doctor, and knee surgeon, are in the network, and take both PPO & HMO plans. So come Nov. 15 this year, I am going to change to the HMO plan, saving me $78.00 a month.
The thing is, Healthcare coverage is out there, and just takes some research and homework. Now people not on medicare, or Medicaid, can also apply for a Hummana Plan, at a low monthly cost to them also. Being they have so many people that do apply and contract with them, they have and can reduce the cost figure.
Now I am for HealthCare Reform. I am not for a Goverment run HealthCare though. I can only, wish, hope, and pray, when this does comes into play, it will be the best for everyone, not just the best for some.
RE: helthcare - OldManOnCampus - 10-26-2009 01:32 PM
Bad Boy Bad Boy Wrote:ADMIN, I wouldn't argue the point of medical care being much cheaper and all.I have an experiment for you. Call Humana- and one of the other insurance companies, make up a name and get a quote for health insurance. See what it would be with your current conditions or just something that puts you in a high risk category- let's say high blood pressure or a cancer or heart attack survivor. That is if they will even cover you, the only insurance companies required to insure anyone is Blue Cross because in most states they are non-profit. If they would not insure you then you would have to go into a state high risk policy which can cost one to two thousand per month. I think people have no idea how much insurance costs because most get it through their employer or get medicare or medicaid and only have to buy a supplement.
You know me by know. I just like to take a short shot, at a lQQk, at what is possible only of the complete picture is all.
I mean no harm.
Just wanted to show, one still might need HealthCare Insurance for other issues then just a doctor's visit.
Now in Medicare, here in Illinois, Tuffy and I, for that is all I know of right now, have Hummana Insurance. Supplement for Medicare. With Hummana, we have a choice also. Like me, I took the PPO Plan. By doing this, it allows me freedom of doctors and don't need referrals. But it cost me only $78.00 a month to have this. Now the HMO Plan, is cheap, in fact the cost to me per month is ZERO, with the same benefits paid as the PPO plan. Except freedom of going to doctor to doctor is then a referral. Either way not bad. Now, after I took the PPO plan, I then found out, my doctor, and knee surgeon, are in the network, and take both PPO & HMO plans. So come Nov. 15 this year, I am going to change to the HMO plan, saving me $78.00 a month.
The thing is, Healthcare coverage is out there, and just takes some research and homework. Now people not on medicare, or Medicaid, can also apply for a Hummana Plan, at a low monthly cost to them also. Being they have so many people that do apply and contract with them, they have and can reduce the cost figure.
Now I am for HealthCare Reform. I am not for a Goverment run HealthCare though. I can only, wish, hope, and pray, when this does comes into play, it will be the best for everyone, not just the best for some.
How do you think the free Humana supplement is paid for, There ain't no free lunch. They are still subsidized by the federal government.
I posted earlier that my insurance has gone from $988 to $1354 per month under my wifes COBRA benefits from her previous employer. They do allow disabled people to stay on the policy-for $1800 per month for up to 24 months.
RE: helthcare - Cycler - 10-26-2009 01:38 PM
Let me get this straight....
You are saying that my reporting of a conversation of what a qualified medical Dr. considers an interesting state of current medical affairs is of no value here, or is it that you consider it meaningless ? Let's just assume that I can ( but won't ) provide those same sentiments by this same Dr. in print from the local medical society bulletin of which he is also the editor, which does in fact exist, which is why I brought up his editorial in the first place to him for clarification.
Still think so ?
A true reflection of but one of the problem facing physicians apropos the current thread; that medical care is already rationed when care is determined by a claims person rather than a physician even when insurance coverage is in place.
Surely you have had your head above the sand long enough to have been aware of the countless stories of the lengths and time spent arguing with insurance companies over the DENIALS for care that they feel their ( and "their" is the crux of the issue here ) patient needs.
I certainly find more merit in his words than yours to date on substantive issues.
stiffnecked Wrote:Cycler Wrote:My neighbor, an orthopedic surgeon, is a graduate of a top Ivy League University and medical school, volunteers his time to go to underdeveloped countries to teach and operate and is also the head of the local chapter of the state medical society. In other words, a pretty smart guy.
He likes to explain to folks who are interested in the challenges facing physicians in private practice today; (i.e me) with declining pay for services rendered and increasing costs of overhead by stating that the patients belong to the insurance company anymore, not the Dr.
Consider the ramifications of that statement.
An unattributed statement that you just made up is meaningless. It has no merit.
RE: helthcare - chrischris - 10-26-2009 01:55 PM
One of my jobs was to pay Blue Cross, and audit the monthly insurance billing for my employer. When I was injured and lost that position, the billing was nearing 1/2 million per month for employer paid medical benefits. It's outrageous what these group policies cost. Most people have no clue what's in their "hidden" paycheck.
Again, I will say the solution, in my opinion, is to regulate the insurance companies to make insurance more affordable for everyone. No free rides. Medicare is set up for the elderly and the disabled. In California we have MediCal for the very needy and I'm sure other states have programs as well.
Also, IMO, drug testing should be implimented before giving any assistance. There are needy folks yes, but there are also those who expect everything to be given to them and sit at home partying or whatever.
RE: helthcare - admin - 10-26-2009 02:30 PM
Ok, Cycler isn't paying any attention - Stiffnecked; Prove to me that at least ONE of you is a big enough person to just let this matter drop.
RE: helthcare - Cycler - 10-26-2009 03:13 PM
I'm sorry, I crossed posted with yours admin. and missed it My apologies to all. I LIKE Stiff just fine, no problems at all. Will cease and desist.
admin Wrote:And to Cycler and Sitffnecked, we know you don't like each other. Let it go. Move on.
RE: helthcare - Bummer Knees - 10-26-2009 03:32 PM
Admin
Thank you for requesting an end to the problems on this thread.
Cycler
Thank you for agreeing with Admin.
RE: helthcare - backache - 10-26-2009 03:45 PM
Thanks Cycler...Backache
RE: helthcare - Bad Boy Bad Boy - 10-26-2009 04:02 PM
OldManOnCampus, I have done your experiment over a year ago. And I do know that Insurance when one is a risk, to high risk is going to cost the person dearly.
As for me, I am on SSDI, and I do get Medicare. I had used my wife's company Insurance up to a year ago. Her employer Health Insurance was on the rise for 7 years before I decided to switch and go to Hummana. I think it was better for her employer, and also better for cost all the way around. Still I wasn't looking for a free ride on Medicare, I elected to have a supplement Insurance. Trurly only my choice. And very willing to pay a monthly free.
Now the Blues would have costed me around $375.00 a month. And I had checked into several other Insurance companies also. All in all, the cost was still in the $300.00"s, and I remember only 1 was over $400.00 per month.
In Illinois though, Hummana does have very many people that have signed onto their Plans. This in return does lower peoples cost per month.
Each State has an Insurance Company, that reaches out in this fashion. The more people that do sign on, the more the cost will get lower.
With Hummana, Pre-exsiting conditions didn't matter neither. Everything was covered. Other Insurance Companies want a waiting period from anywhere between 1 year to 3 years on
Pre-exsiting conditions before they would consider to pay for them. And I still think they would try to deny even then.
Even though Hummana is subsidized by the federal government, no one was knocking at my door telling me this. I still had to do research, and homework to find a Supplement that fit my needs.