Insurance: The Real Truth
I watched 20/20 tonight. It's one of the reasons I stayed home. John Stossel discussed health care and health insurance, and I'm glad I saw it, because John Stossel may be one of the only people in our country who sees health care like it really is.
I am a fan of private health insurance. I do not believe the government should take over the health insurance industry. I do not believe they would serve us well. Private insurance has served me well throughout my life, and I believe that it will continue to serve me until the day I die.
When I was 17 years old, I was in a car accident. My family was insured through my father's job. We had Cigna and then, halfway through the treatment, were switched to Aetna. In that car accident - and I know that my closest friends will remember this (that would be you, Beth!) - I was injured very critically and, because I was in such bad shape, I did not "choose" the hospital where I was taken. I was taken to the hospital with best trauma department in the city, as well as the best reputation for treating head trauma. That hospital happened to NOT be on our insurance. Between the out-of-network hospital and the switch in insurance companies, my insurance was less than excited about paying for my bills. It took some time, but the insurance DID pay my bills - ALL OF THEM! Well, I take that back - after I got out of the hospital and rehab, I did have one follow up appointment with a doctor that my mom paid for in cash, just so that she wouldn't have to deal with the forms of one more doctor's office. So we paid a total of $30.
Lately I've been shopping for insurance again. Yea, it's challenging... but I've enjoyed it too, because I know what I need, and I can shop specifically for that. I need catastrophic coverage and prescription coverage, and it would also be a plus if I get vision coverage. I've shopped for that and, I think, I've found it. I will have a high deductible, which means I can also shop for a doctor within the network who also offers the best care for the best value.
I have a lot of opinions about insurance. Probably my number one opinion is that insurance MUST remain privately owned and competitive. I also think they need to go a step further than they are right now. I like the option of health savings accounts - that seems to be taking insurance deeper into competition. When doctors are competitive, they cater to the patient. They will do their best to provide the best care possible at the lowest price possible. But only when they have incentive to do so - and that's competition.
I am a fan of private health insurance. I do not believe the government should take over the health insurance industry. I do not believe they would serve us well. Private insurance has served me well throughout my life, and I believe that it will continue to serve me until the day I die.
When I was 17 years old, I was in a car accident. My family was insured through my father's job. We had Cigna and then, halfway through the treatment, were switched to Aetna. In that car accident - and I know that my closest friends will remember this (that would be you, Beth!) - I was injured very critically and, because I was in such bad shape, I did not "choose" the hospital where I was taken. I was taken to the hospital with best trauma department in the city, as well as the best reputation for treating head trauma. That hospital happened to NOT be on our insurance. Between the out-of-network hospital and the switch in insurance companies, my insurance was less than excited about paying for my bills. It took some time, but the insurance DID pay my bills - ALL OF THEM! Well, I take that back - after I got out of the hospital and rehab, I did have one follow up appointment with a doctor that my mom paid for in cash, just so that she wouldn't have to deal with the forms of one more doctor's office. So we paid a total of $30.
Lately I've been shopping for insurance again. Yea, it's challenging... but I've enjoyed it too, because I know what I need, and I can shop specifically for that. I need catastrophic coverage and prescription coverage, and it would also be a plus if I get vision coverage. I've shopped for that and, I think, I've found it. I will have a high deductible, which means I can also shop for a doctor within the network who also offers the best care for the best value.
I have a lot of opinions about insurance. Probably my number one opinion is that insurance MUST remain privately owned and competitive. I also think they need to go a step further than they are right now. I like the option of health savings accounts - that seems to be taking insurance deeper into competition. When doctors are competitive, they cater to the patient. They will do their best to provide the best care possible at the lowest price possible. But only when they have incentive to do so - and that's competition.
posted by Tidy Bowl at
10:30 PM
2 Comments:
Yay for no nationwide health insurance. You can't hardly see doctors in those countries... and if you do, you wait forever and ever. It doesn't really help too many people. It brings health care standards down, when we should be focusing on bringing them up as high as possible.
I would be interested to see how catastrophic coverage would have covered your accident.. since that's what you're looking at. I agree it's better than nothing and it's at least affordable! Like I said, I'd just be interested.
I am also an insurance company's nightmare. :) I easily made them spend at least 6 times what I paid for last year's insurance coverage.
Life is grand.
Beth
By
Anonymous, At
September 25, 2007 11:44 AM
Don't vote for Hillary Clinton, the queen of nationwide health insurance!
By
Tidy Bowl, At
September 25, 2007 2:53 PM
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