HMO's. Time to get out...

[Moses]

I love my insurance plan. I have a high deductible then 100% coverage. I rarely meet my deductible. I pay the PPO rate (significant discount) and I pay cash.

To me, my health insurance must perform two tasks well;

1) In the case of an unusual disease or crisis I want to take my family to the best facilities and the best doctors with NO questions.

2) The insurance must protect me from catastrophic financial loss.

I have no problem writing a check for my kids doctor visits. Too many people expect healthcare to be free, so they choose the $5 copay plan. Guess what kind of care you get for $5? The same people who cannot imagine paying $100 for a doctor visit will shell out twice that for a veterinary bill or a plumbers work without a whimper. Go figure.

What does my fancy insurance plan cost? Less that the HMO. Even if I meet my deductible.

[304065]

in this case you have a doctor telling you that malpractice claims keep doctors and medical organizations in check.

Uhh, "Dr. Sopp" is a Doctor of Jurisprudence, didn't you read the lawyer-bashing thread?

Moses, I like that plan of yours. The only trouble that I see with it is that a lot of folks simply don't have the resources or foresight to self-insure up to the deductible limit. I know it sounds silly but take a gander at the copay amounts for the medicare funded benefit, some are even lower, absurdly so.

Some of the benefit designs have a five dollar copay. Five bucks? That's like a freaking CHEESEBURGER in Manhattan! Is that genuinely supposed to deter the member from overuse of the plan?

I suppose it depends on your demographic. For me, a $1000 deductible would be fine, because I can use a flex account to pre-fund any known expenses with pretax dollars, and I'm really only relying on the plan for catastrophic care.

[Moses]

Originally posted by 350HP930

I think this thread is quite insightful for such dolts since in this case you have a doctor telling you that malpractice claims keep doctors and medical organizations in check.

Medical malpractice litigation is an important tool that helps ensure patient safety and keeps doctors "on their game." There. I said it.

The problem is that the patient and the HMO have a hidden adversarial relationship. The less care they provide, the greater the profits and bigger the bonuses. The supremes have now made it much more difficult to hold them accountable. Believe me, the cost of this ruling will be measured in pain and suffering.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Moses hit it on the head.....HMO organizations should be--at the VERY LEAST--not-for-profit.

I have no illusions that NFP isn't a scam as well (United Way, anyone?) but at least the stock price is no longer a driving factor in decision making.

[chuckw951]

Well the case wasn't decided on a constitutional issue like free speech or something. Basically ERISA pre-empts state law.

Congress simply needs to act on the issue.

Exactly what should be done is another issue.

[island911]

Well it's about time the HMOs got some protection from the LAW.
Insurance companies got their legal protection, in the form of manditory auto insurance. (it's great they have guys with guns enforcing the purchase of their product.)

In fact I think there should be a law forcing people to buy into an HMO or health insurance policy. it's only FAIR!


.
.
.
Yes, tongue firmly in cheek; but, how's that for scary!? (it's on it's way)

[350HP930]

Wow island, are you saying you are in favor of socialized medicine.

The best way to force everyone to buy and pay for it is by adding it to their tax bill.

Take all the profiteering management and insurance companies out of the middle man position and you might just be onto something.

[island911]

Yeah, Right.