hoodie
Posts: 108
Joined: 6/30/2008 Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Vendaval Hello Nueva Vida, Yes, when someone is laid off the cost of COBRA compared to the rate of Unemployment Insurance usually does not work in the real world. Factor in mortgage or rent, utilities, car payments and/or insurance, groceries and household items and you will most likely have to drop COBRA. The bullshit with pre-existing conditions is very frustrating and consumers definately need better options that what is available now. Best of luck with your new job and being able to keep your doctor. quote:
ORIGINAL: NuevaVida Now I am on COBRA at a whopping $540/month! I shopped for individual coverage outside of the plan and the lowest I could find (without having to pay a ridiculous deductible first) was close to $300. And guess what? Healthy me was denied coverage because my BMI is too high and I have a history of depression. The system is broken, no doubt about it. However, I've yet to hear either one of these jokers even broach how to change several inconsistencies. It amuses me that insurance will pay for treatments a life long smoker needs, ie. when they develop lung cancer, or COPD, or the like. But they won't pay for the methods for a smoker to quit. I've encountered several people who are diabetic due to obesity. Their insurance will pay for all the diabetic testing strips, etc. but won't pay for a dietician to help in getting their weight under control. Far too often, our insurance companies are reactive to our health, and not proactive. I'm a state government employee, and I have some of the best healthcare around. However, I also am the last female on my mother's side of the family who hasn't been touched by cervical cancer in some way, shape or form. Imagine my horror when my doctor wanted to do 2 PAP's a year and the insurance denied saying, and I quote, "the costs outweigh the benefit of this second test" So I think more preventative measures must be covered under insurance plans. If more people are quitting smoking, there's less lung cancer treatments they need to shell out for. If more people are eating right, there's less diabetic treatments. We have some of the best technology around, and it's also the most expensive. But there is no doubt, one thing that does factor into the costs of healthcare, malpractice suits and insurance. Doctors, a few years ago, were leaving Pennsylvania in droves because the premiums for malpractice insurance were upwards of a million dollars a year. We are in a litigious society, and any little thing goes wrong, we sue. Get the Trial lawyers out of the picture, there's a big improvement right there. We had a woman a few years ago, who was told, in utero, that her baby would be born with Down's syndrome. While still pregnant, she sued the doctor, stating that the information was withheld from her, leaving her no "time to decide whether to abort or not". She lost the case, but the fact that the doctor was sued is still a permanent mark. His malpractice premiums went up, which in turn meant the price of every service he offers also went up. I'll be happy when politicians look at the reality of this issue. While it's sad that alot of people don't have coverage, getting them covered isn't going to make healthcare more affordable. There needs to be numerous reforms.
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bared on Your tomb, I'm a prayer for Your loneliness. And would You ever soon come above unto me. For once upon a time from the binds of Your holiness, I could always find the right slot for Your sacred key. Nymphetamine - Cradle of Filth
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