Shaky Times, Shaky Health Coverage

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Why medical insurance is not free for all of us??
Instead of spending so many billions at NASA why can't we use that money on keeping a nation of healthy and happy citizens ??

Ruth Lucero of NJ 11:26AM November 12, 2008

The company my husband worked for 30 years went bankrupt but he was covered by the priorm owner everything was fine at the beginning but now that we need it the most they are dipping into his pension because a loop hole that allows them to do this. In the mean time the pension went from $1500 a month to $1000. and the next two months will wipe us out

mmf of DE 3:42PM November 07, 2008

Folks like Sylvia G of New Jersey suffer the consequences of good intentions. New Jersey is one of a handful of states that has tried legislating its way to 'affordable and universal' health coverage. However, even after more than a decade of trying (as much as 20 years in Massachusetts), the results have only been to drive the cost of health care up, making it even more unaffordable for a lot of consumers. And, you would think that after as much as 20 years of trying they would have achieved the universal part - but have failed to do that also. Iowa has as high if not higher percentage of insured than these states. No one is much over 90%, with the national average about 86%. Not the results anyone would expect, so watch out what you ask for. We all know that even with the best of intentions, government usually makes things worse.
Sylvia, move to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, get a Humana policy, then you can take your affordable policy back with you to New Jersy, that's the only way you are going to get affordable coverage in New Jersey. If you want proof for yourself, look up some zipcodes in these other states, go to ehealthinsurance and run some quotes, and see the difference.

Geoffrey Herbst of VA 11:30AM November 07, 2008

MY GYNOCOLOGIST SAID I MIGHT HAVE HPV VIRUS AND MADE ME GO INTO HIS OFFICE FOR ANOTHER PAP TEST TO BE SENT TO THE LAB. IT CAME OUT NEGATIVE BUT HE AND HIS STAFF STILL INSIST THAT I HAVE THE VIRUS. I ASKED HIM TO CALL ME BACK TO CONFIRM AND HE WILL NOT DO THAT. HE WANTS THE EXTRA MONEY BECAUSE HIS ASSISTANT SAID THAT THE EXTRA HPV TEST IS COVERED ON MY INSURANCE. I SUPPOSE IF IT WEREN'T COVERED, I WOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED THE EXTRA LAB TEST. I BELIEVE MY DOCTOR JUST WANTED THE EXTRA INSURANCE MONEY COVERED ON MY PLAN. THESE DOCTORS I UNDERSTAND PAY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD FOR PATIENTS TO BE COVERED FOR AN UN NEEDED LAB TEST. I AM ANGRY SINCE I AM NOT AN IMPORTANT ENOUGH PATIENT TO GET A CALL BACK FROM THE DOCTOR. I AM TRYING TO SWITCH PLANS NOW TO ANOTHER COMPANY.

BABS of GA 11:17AM November 07, 2008

An out-of-network physician can absolutely agree to take less. I suggest you raise your deductible and pay much less in premium. Also, the blues are different companies from state-to-state, so the operations of the blues in NC could be different from the blues in Illinois. However, they do allow the clients to use each others networks.
I encourage people to enroll in a high-deductible hsa plan and invest their savings in premium into an HSA account for out-of-pocket costs. An HSA account allows you to pay your out-of-pocket costs with pre-tax dollars.
HSA plans encourage patients to be more savy consumers because they have more skin in the game when it comes to treatment. This is what the industry needs - cost accountability when a physician and patient consider their choices.

Zane of OK 11:11AM November 07, 2008

I am still covered by my company medicare supplement which is united halth care but AARP medicare plan which several of my riends have is supposed to be excellent- all three parties say they get good service and almost ALL bills are paid- that is good
news to me for I may be lose my company plan anytime.

Phyllis Alport of FL 10:15AM November 07, 2008

Are their truly any insurance companies out their inwhich one can buy and not be charged an arm and a leg. Could one go outside their state and purchase insurance?

Sylvia Gargiullo of NJ 9:40AM November 07, 2008

I have Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Personal Choice. I pay over two thousand a month for a family of four. I am suppose to have the best plan with the company so they say.
My husband comes out of the hospital and they purposefully gave me a run around when it came to paying some of my bills. The following is just a few of the comments I heard:
"Even though your doctor is out of network he has agreed to take less" That was an out right lie.
"This is your plan, it only pays so much."
"Don't get mad at me if you don't know your plan"
The truth is if you go into the hospital as an emergency if any or all your attending physicians are out of network the whole bill is suppose to be paid and there is no such thing as an out of network doctor agreeing to take less. Your doctor is either in network or out of network, not a bit of both. The truth is they just didn't want to pay. I only got the bill paid when I threatened to call the Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner.
I urge people to use the Attorney General and or Insurance Commissioner with any insurance problem or question.

caroline of PA 9:26AM November 07, 2008

I currently hold a policy with AARP, I have been sent several information booklets from other companies. I was wondering if you have any information that could be helpful in my selection coming up in December.

Rochelle Gellman of FL 9:18AM November 07, 2008

After having Supplemental Insurance coverage from General Motors, the company is doing away with it as of the first of the year. How does one know which Insurance Company to go with? There are so many to choose from ie AARP, Human, United Health Care to name a few.

Barbara Ann Ritter of IN 6:58AM November 07, 2008