tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35939526553763919742024-02-20T14:43:48.952-08:00Healthcare BUZZa blog about healthcare. duh.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-16966261645413178842010-08-20T10:13:00.000-07:002010-08-20T10:20:18.321-07:00Obamacare's Methodical Dismantling of MedicarePeople who rely on Medicare will eventually find themselves relegated to a place in the pecking order LOWER THAN MEDICAID patients.<br /><br />This is a direct result of Obamacare's steady whittling away at Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals - all in the name of cost-savings. It makes the cost of Obamacare look much more affordable, but in the end, it erodes coverage for those who need it most.<br /><br />This article, published in the Washington Examiner, is eye-opening:<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/obamacares-stealth-ambush-of-senior-citizens-101007754.html">Read the article here - how Obamacare will impact Medicare</a><br /><br />As it stands today, more and more physicians are refusing new patients on Medicare. That's because of the abysmal payment schedules set by Medicare. Those payments are small and getting smaller by the day.<br /><br />By 2019, they will be lower than MEDICAID based on the way the law is written.<br /><br />We have a looming shortage of primary care physicians in this country and it is only going to get worse because of Obamacare, not better.<br /><br />All of us, the people and the politicians we elect to represent us, need to revisit this ill-advised law sooner rather than later.<br /><br />CDRthe HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-78014723498090432992010-08-11T23:09:00.000-07:002010-08-11T23:09:28.269-07:00aca litigation blog: Reading the tea leaves: Why I think Judge Hudson w...<a href="http://acalitigationblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/reading-tea-leaves-why-i-think-judge.html?spref=bl">aca litigation blog: Reading the tea leaves: Why I think Judge Hudson w...</a>: "Judge Hudson's ruling last week denying the United States's motion to dismiss Virginia's complaint was technically no more than that -- a re..."the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-63624158883823766352010-08-07T21:28:00.000-07:002010-08-07T21:39:59.655-07:00How to Play "Let's Make a Deal" With Your Doctor <embed type='application/x-shockwave-flash' salign='l' flashvars='&titleAvailable=true&playerAvailable=true&searchAvailable=false&shareFlag=N&singleURL=http://sun-sentinel.vidcms.trb.com/alfresco/service/edge/content/9b1033c5-b1e0-4555-93eb-bafc124375de&propName=sun-sentinel.com&hostURL=http://www.sun-sentinel.com&swfPath=http://sun-sentinel.vid.trb.com/player/&omAccount=tribglobal&omnitureServer=sun-sentinel.com' allowscriptaccess='always' allowfullscreen='true' menu='true' name='PaperVideoTest' bgcolor='#ffffff' devicefont='false' wmode='transparent' scale='showall' loop='true' play='true' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' quality='high' src='http://sun-sentinel.vid.trb.com/player/PaperVideoTest.swf' align='middle' height='450' width='300'></embed><br /><br />Everyone knows that you can negotiate the price on a new car, but did you know that you also can negotiate the price of healthcare?<br /><br />If you are not the type of person who will insist on a lower price on a new car, chances are, you probably don't ask for lower prices for healthcare. By not asking for discounts, however, you end up paying too much.<br /><br />According to this video article from the Sun-Sentinel, 74% of people surveyed said they did get discounts from their doctors when they asked.<br /><br />This is one of the key secrets to maintaining a health savings account plan. Because the plan carries a high deductible insurance policy, everyone insured with an HSA plan learns to negotiate prices for services performed. The better negotiator you are, the lower the prices you'll pay.<br /><br />Visit our main website for details on how a health savings plan can help your family save on health insurance.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.hsahealthplans.com">High deductible plans</a>the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-7603528764594277242010-08-07T14:18:00.000-07:002010-08-07T14:34:49.587-07:00MilwaukeeTeachers Union Provides Shining Example of What's Wrong With Our Healthcare System<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.pill-weight-loss.com/images/viagra.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="http://www.pill-weight-loss.com/images/viagra.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Almost 500 teachers in the Milwaukee district have been laid off due to tough economic times, and many who are left are fighting - not for their former colleagues to be reinstated but for inclusion of Viagra in the district's medical plan.<br /><br />You can't make this kind of stuff up.<br /><br />On the one hand, male members have a point, sort of. They argue that many "female only" things are covered, such as birth control pills, estrogen replacement, and vaginal creams. Interestingly enough, penile implants ARE covered under the plan; Viagra is not.<br /><br />Many who follow my blog may find this difficult to believe, but I actually agree with the men here, and no, not for personal reasons.<br /><br />Viagra is a prescribed drug that is prescribed in response to a diagnosed medical condition (ED as it is commonly known). It is not just a "sexual problem" thing. Usually, the condition itself is reflective of other issues such as hypertension, etc. So medically speaking, the drug usually helps, but even if it's purely from a mental standpoint, it still should be covered because many other drugs are covered for mental-nervous conditions.<br /><br />Like it or not, the men's position here is at least consistent. And that's one thing I consistently argue for - consistency.<br /><br />Either do it all or not at all.<br /><br />The real problem with our healthcare system, however, is that we have developed a mentality that our health plans should "do it all" for us.<br /><br />If those teachers had to pay the full cost of their own premiums, they would have a dramatically different outlook.<br /><br />And THAT my friends is the real problem with our system that the teachers highlight here by arguing for Viagra inclusion: LACK OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.<br /><br />High deductible plans go a long way toward restoring the personal responsibility that is lacking in our healthcare system today.<br /><br />Make no mistake: High deductible plans ARE the wave of the future. We are just beginning the process of reverting to the 1980's before copay plans were invented. The cost of premiums for copay plans has gotten too much out of control and the copays themselves are greatly at fault. Copays are the antithesis of personal responsibility. Copays encourage someone else to pay or heavily subsidize the cost of one's own medical care.<br /><br />CD Richard<br />"the health insurance guru"<br />Licensed Agent/Broker since 1980the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-19395448894671264572009-12-21T22:26:00.000-08:002009-12-21T22:26:03.711-08:00AHIP on Health Care Reform<a href="http://www.americanhealthsolution.org/ahip-perspective-ahip-statement-on-senate-health-care-reform-legislation/">Campaign for an American Solution - AHIP PERSPECTIVE: AHIP STATEMENT ON SENATE HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION</a><div><br /></div><div>From AHIP, this says it all about the Senate's latest boondoggle effort to "reform" health care. </div><div><br /></div><div>As structured, the Senate bill will dramatically INCREASE premiums almost immediately, due to a number of factors including a new $70 billion tax on the insurance industry (to pay for so-called reform) and a mandate to cover all applicants regardless of health conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div>This bill continues to be mindboggling to the normal American. Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of the Chicago politicians are utterly clueless.</div>the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-42947321443302371562009-12-20T08:55:00.000-08:002009-12-20T08:55:04.073-08:00Speedy emergency rooms? What next?<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/health/la-he-er-wait-times21-2009dec21,0,2748034,full.story">Advertising emergency room wait times gains popularity -- latimes.com</a><div><br /></div><div>From the LA Times comes this interesting story of American ingenuity. Emergency rooms around the country are responding to long wait times by posting wait times at various ER rooms around the vicinity.</div><div><br /></div><div>2-hours were you are? It could be only 4 minutes down the street.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another new company is testing the idea of place holding, for a fee. Get online, pay a small fee, save your place in line, wait at home, then go when it's your turn. </div><div><br /></div><div>My goodness. And to think nobody has relied on the government to figure this out.</div><div><br /></div><div>What will they think of next?</div>the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-55626267370845898762009-08-11T21:36:00.000-07:002009-08-11T22:07:00.040-07:00Obama's Fuzzy Math - Counting the (real) Uninsured<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/health%20care%20reform.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 358px;" src="http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/dcblog/health%20care%20reform.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">46 million huh?<br /><br />Wow, that's a lot.</span><br /><br />And as it turns out, a gigantic overstatement that can have only one purpose - to persuade the American public that the health care "dilemma" is so dire that only his (still undefined) plan can save the country.<br /><br />Let's review the facts, sans hyperbole.<br /><br /><ul><li>Fact 1: Percentage-wise, the number of uninsureds actually is lower than in 1998 (Obama claims it continues to rise).<br /></li><li>Fact 2: Health care of children has improved dramatically since 1998 by about 3 million kids.</li><li>Fact 3: As many as 12 million (of the uninsured 46 million) are ILLEGAL aliens -- ILLEGAL as in they shouldn't be here in the first place and certainly should not be counted.</li><li>Fact 4: About 8.3 million earn between $50,000 and $75,000 (meaning they have the means to buy health care coverage, but opt not to).</li><li>Fact 5: Amazingly, even more, about 8.7 million, earn over $75,000 (no excuses for them whatsoever).</li></ul>So far, we've accounted for about 29 million of the 46 million, leaving about 17 million. But, of those, about 8.8 million are without coverage only for about 4 months or less before returning to the ranks of the insured.<br /><br />That leaves a grand total of about 8.8 million (legal) American citizens who are, according to Kaiser Foundation, chronically uninsured.<br /><br />So why all the fuss over a mere 8.8 million people who are here legally and cannot, truly cannot afford to purchase health care coverage?<br /><br />Would it not be much, much simpler to focus on THOSE people? Forget about the illegals and I mean that literally. They have no right to be here in the first place; therefore, they should have no "right" to expect health care coverage (which they now get for free merely by showing up in emergency rooms at all hours of the day and night).<br /><br />As for the 16 to 17 million legal Americans who clearly earn enough to buy health care coverage but opt not to do so, again, forget about them -- start turning them away if they can't cough up the cash to pay the doctor. (There's actually a good example of why making the purchase of health care coverage mandatory makes sense, 10th Amendment issues notwithstanding).<br /><br />What about the chronically uninsured? Why not qualify them for Medicare (under age 65)? In theory, many of them should qualify now for Medicaid - based on income. If the threshold needs to be lowered, fine - let's get those people covered, and I have no problem subsidizing that effort with tax dollars.<br /><br />But the illegals? The people who clearly make enough money but opt not to spend it in advance on purchasing health care coverage? Those laggards have been turned into pawns by the Obama administration that clearly has one overriding goal in mind: Install some kind of system that eventually will become the only game in town.<br /><br />(The essence of this article was derived from <a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2009/08/10/illusions-and-delusions-about">an article by Peter Hannaford in The American Spectator</a>.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-68125905664982435342009-08-06T19:17:00.000-07:002009-08-06T19:25:14.956-07:00Obamacare's Grand Canyon of Runaway Costs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/ED-AJ928_1house_NS_20090805181218.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 327px;" src="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/ED-AJ928_1house_NS_20090805181218.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Finally!<br /><br />Somebody has picked up on the fact that current CBO estimates for Obamacare extend only for 10 years out.<br /><br />At some point, one must ask: What happens after the initial 10 years? Does Obamacare suddenly stop and cease to exist? Of course not. It's a government program, which can only mean one thing - it is destined to get bigger and bigger until it becomes self consuming.<br /><br />But at what cost?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203609204574314622075560890.html">A new article from the WSJ </a>shows a scary scenario where the costs in the second decade of Obamacare greatly exceed anticipated revenue creating a "Grand Canyon" of additional national debt.<br /><br />Just how much debt will the Chinese be willing to underwrite?<br /><br />My suspicion is that these blowhard Democrats who today are crying over the incessant constituency outrage had better start looking for a new job in another year, should they bow to Pelosi and vote in favor of the largest single boondoggle in American history.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-7654630198037556672009-07-21T09:22:00.000-07:002009-07-21T12:32:08.204-07:00Should anyone be forced to purchase health insurance?Yes - because inevitably, sh*t happens and people who are convinced they are invincible end up being - bankrupt.<br /><br />No - it's a rights thing. The government should not force people to buy anything, especially insurance. For that matter, the government should not tell people where they can and cannot smoke.<br /><br />Well, there ya have it - the pros and cons.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0720/p09s01-coop.html">Here's an interesting article</a> that got me to thinking about it all. Not sure I know what my own answer is but one this is certain - people who NEED health care coverage desperately WANT health insurance - and if they are allowed to wait and buy it only when they need it, that drives the cost through the roof.<br /><br /><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2009504866_guest21larson.html">Then there's this</a> - the other perspective, arguing that having the uninsured become insured will lead to better care for all.<br /><br />Personally, I tend to agree with the latter view. It's life. Sh*t happens. It is completely irresponsible not to carry insurance on one's health (which must mean that health insurance is a responsibility - not a "right").<br /><br />CDRthe HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-82750664640797690532009-07-18T15:05:00.000-07:002010-08-07T14:38:06.448-07:00Support for Government Run Health Care Fading FastThankfully, the American people aren't quite as gullible as Obama would like for them to be.<br /><br /><br />As it becomes clearer that The Liberal One really wants the Government to take over our every day lives, Americans are growing skeptical of this approach.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/17/AR2009071703584.html?hpid=topnews">The Post Reports: Splinters in Health Care Debate</a><br /><br /><br />Hopefully, we are turning the corner on this wretched idea.<br /><br />To be sure, there are things the Government can do that will help, such as protecting physicians & hospitals against soaring litigation costs, and streamlining the medical information system to be computerized.<br /><br />But forcing people to buy health insurance or pay a penalty is a fundamentally bad idea. Forcing businesses to do the same is an even more egregious no-no.<br /><br />If people opt not to carry coverage when they plainly can afford to do so -- screw 'em if something happens. Those people should not even be allowed to file bankruptcy.<br /><br />What about the poor people? The working and non-working folks who literally cannot afford coverage? They should be allowed to participate in Medicare on a sliding subsidized scale. How simple is that?<br /><br />But to allow the Government to set up shop and become the WalMart of health insurers is fundamentally a flawed concept.<br /><br />Thankfully, people are beginning to see the light - and just in the nick of time.<br /><br />CD Richardthe HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-36766999790094479992009-05-21T12:31:00.000-07:002009-05-21T12:37:52.608-07:00Baucus acknowledges - many of the 46 million uninsured will NOT be included in health care legislationIn a somewhat stunning acknowledgment of reality, Senator Baucus now states that health care legislation will not include a "vast majority" of the 46 million "Americans" uninsured.<br /><br /><a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/health-care-reform/2009/05/by_lori_a_montgomery_health.html">Read the Washington Post story here</a><br /><br />Who is he talking about? Illegals. The "Undocumented workers."<br /><br />First and foremost, how did a "majority" of the 46 million "Americans" come to include ANY number of undocumented illegals? <br /><br />What's the real number please? Anyone know?<br /><br />Of course not - it's politically powerful to stretch the truth by including hordes of illegals in the number of "uninsured Americans."<br /><br />What a bunch of baloney.<br /><br />Moreover, just how do you (Congress) plan to keep those people OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOMS??<br /><br />That is one of the biggest problems with our "system." The indigents show up there because the hospitals are obliged to provide coverage, then they are forced to pass the cost for coverage on to those who can afford to pay, i.e. those with health insurance, which predictably drives up the cost of coverage.<br /><br />Hey Congress: Solve THAT problem and you're more than half way home already.<br /><br />By the way, I am perfectly cool with the idea of putting people like that on a Medicare type plan. Why not? Better than nothing! <br /><br />An income stepped Medicare enrollment option makes more and more sense.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-58475606509014782602008-12-24T17:51:00.000-08:002008-12-24T17:56:32.884-08:00Sleep more to reduce heart attack riskIt's official. Sleeping more is good for you.<br /><br />University of Chicago researchers tested arteries of about 500 people over 5 years. They discovered the people who slept 8 hours or more every day had a 6% chance of a heart attack, compared to 27% for those who slept 6 hours or less -- a staggering increase.<br /><br />The thinking is that stress hormones are reduced by the additional sleep.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28369049/">MSNBC Link to Story</a>the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-78739956276339048512008-12-15T08:03:00.000-08:002008-12-15T08:15:40.402-08:00Democrats Already Spending Money (We Don't Have) on Healthcare "Reform"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.urlesque.com/media/2008/11/11.6.obama1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 169px;" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.urlesque.com/media/2008/11/11.6.obama1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The Obama kids haven't even picked out, much less <a href="http://www.urlesque.com/2008/11/06/name-obamas-new-puppy/">named their new puppy</a> yet and already Democrats in Congress are spending money we don't have on healthcare reform.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2008/12/12/democrats-weave-health-funding-into-stimulus-package/#comment-369864">This article from the WSJ Health Blog</a> gives a pristine overview of the Democratic overreaching.<br /><br />Among other things, they want to throw some more money into Medicaid, state children's health programs, and the computerization of medical records.<br /><br />Meanwhile in Detroit . . . .<br /><br />No, I'm actually not a fan of the great automobile bailout scheme -- just making a point that there are better things to spend our borrowed dollars on.<br /><br />And just to be clear, I'm not against healthcare for children. What I am against is more federal intervention in programs that by all rights should be funded by individual states, including Medicaid, by the way.<br /><br />But you think there's too much Washington in your backyard NOW? Just wait until that new puppy is 3 or 4 years old.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-15958739653909518982008-12-08T21:58:00.000-08:002008-12-08T22:05:54.933-08:00High deductible health plans becoming widespreadAs premiums on traditional plans continue to skyrocket, more and more people are turning to high deductible plans to save money on premiums.<br /><br />Almost 20% of employees had deductibles of 1,000 or more in 2008, compared with only 12% one year sooner.<br /><br />Of course, not everyone would qualify $1,000 as a "high" deductible, but in our practice, we are seeing an increasing number of individuals opt for deductibles of $2,500 or higher.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/09/25/high_deductible_insurance.html">As this article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution </a>indicates, an increasing number of high deductible plans are being used as part of consumer driven health care plan designs, which means that a tax-advantaged account is used in conjunction with the high deductible plan. Usually, this will mean a health savings account, but in some cases, a health care reimbursement account can be used in conjunction with high deductible plans.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-55973397314136415122008-12-01T22:59:00.000-08:002008-12-01T23:06:42.210-08:00The Emerging Concensus on Health CareAnd the answer is:<br /><br />THE GOVERNMENT!<br /><br />???<br /><br />No, seriously.<br /><br />They've finally figured it out in Washington -- they've got all the answers.<br /><br />Since the private market can't "fix" itself, Washington will get it fixed.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-na-healthcare1-2008dec01,0,6319201.story">"unprecedented government intervention" will create a system of universal coverage</a><br /><br />Oh boy, I can hardly wait.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-67828105796660947102008-11-26T08:38:00.000-08:002008-11-26T08:47:12.190-08:00Simple Tips to Save a LOT of Money on HealthcareAs religious readers of my blog know (and there are, at best, three of them), I've been marketing consumer driven health plans for years -- way too many to count.<br /><br />One of the key reasons why people should opt OUT of co-pay plans and opt INTO a high deductible plan is that if everyone did it, the cost of health care would drop by a country mile, almost overnight. Why? Because people would take responsibility!<br /><br />I took my old beat up Honda (I luv that car, don't get me wrong) to the Honda "dealer" recently for an overpriced oil change. While there, I asked about a replacement strip of weather stripping for my door. They wanted $80 for a $2.00 piece of rubber!<br /><br />I also needed to replace two radiator hoses. The dealer wanted $340. I took the car to a radiator shop. They wanted $80. Where do you think I ended up getting the work done?<br /><br />But does anyone ever question the price of services at the doctor? Or the emergency room of all places?<br /><br />Why should they, when someone else is paying the bill?<br /><br />Here's a <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/112608dnbusmedicalcosts.3958869.html">great article from the Dallas Morning News</a>. Learn how one lady saved a few thousand dollars just by asking a few questions before her daughter had "emergency" surgery in the ER. Learn how some other people cut the cost of a migraine medication Rx from almost $29 PER PILL to $3.66 per pill.<br /><br />Moral of the story: Be a better consumer!the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-32398708682788046382008-11-23T23:35:00.000-08:002008-11-23T23:42:02.295-08:00Need medical treatment? How's your credit?More and more hospitals are checking credit before providing expensive treatment, especially to people who carry no health insurance.<br /><br />But it may not be what you think. Check out this example:<br /><br />A woman in Dallas received over $100,000 in free treatment for skull and neck injuries suffered in 2005. Then in 2006 when she returned for a scheduled cat scan, she was denied. <br /><br />Not because her credit was too low, but because it was TOO HIGH. To the hospital, she no longer qualified as indigent based almost exclusively on her increasingly positive credit score!<br /><br />Other examples and more analysis are contained in <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_48/b4110080413532.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis">this article from Business Week</a>.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-92067348895285450862008-11-22T10:18:00.000-08:002008-11-22T10:32:01.506-08:00Can't afford a Cadillac? Buy a Chevy (health plan)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Governor_Bredesen.jpg/225px-Governor_Bredesen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 281px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Governor_Bredesen.jpg/225px-Governor_Bredesen.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've been marketing health insurance since 1980. And since that time, my motta has been:<br />"If you can't afford a Cadillac, buy a Chevy."<br /><br />Now, at last, the Governor of a state (Tennessee) is on board with me.<br /><br />While other governors and know-it-all legislators are intent on "first dollar, full coverage" health care for everyone -- those are known as Cadillac plans -- <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122731243742249447.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Gov. Bredesen explains the Tennessee approach:</a><br /><blockquote><br />We need a national health-insurance solution, but isn't it sensible in the meantime to make sure everyone has a basic health plan before we give a few more people a perfect but expensive one? Shouldn't we make sure everyone at least has a Chevy rather than providing a Cadillac to a few and letting the rest walk? We're trying that in Tennessee with CoverTN.</blockquote><br /><br />Is limited health care coverage better than none? Ask the lady referenced in the article whether she would have preferred not to have to put $9,000 on her credit cards to cover unexpected medical bills from a tick bite.<br /><br />There are two ways to buy a health plan at a Chevy price:<br /><ol><li>Buy a policy that has excellent coverage for very large expenses, but take a high deductible.</li><li>Buy a policy with a low deductible and perhaps a co-pay benefit that has very limited coverage for large expenses.</li></ol>In other words, you have to make a decision whether you want to be more responsible for unanticipated medical bills on the front side or on the back side.<br /><br />Front side expenses are more likely to be incurred -- everything from a minor ER visit for stitches to a coronary attack always start with the first few dollars.<br /><br />Large back side expenses are less likely to be incurred -- but can often result in bankruptcy if not properly insured.<br /><br />Today, I recommend basic coverage as an option to no coverage for folks because the "band aid" approach makes more sense than no coverage at all.the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-35576061088199418112008-11-20T11:43:00.000-08:002008-11-20T14:04:17.636-08:00Obama Breaks Campaign Promise by Appointing Daschle to Lead HHS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/11/19/us/politics/19daschle_190.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 138px;" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/11/19/us/politics/19daschle_190.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/us/politics/20daschle.html?em">As reported by the NY Times</a>, one of Obama's most impressive campaign promises was that no appointees would be " permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years."<br /><br /><br />Obama's pick for Secretary of Health & Human Services, Tom Daschle, has spent part of the past 4 years serving on the board of the Mayo Clinic, in addition to advising numerous clients regarding health care issues in his position as a lawyer at the firm Alston & Bird. Much of this work has in fact occured over the past two years.<br /><br />Sounds like Obama is in a pickle.<br /><br />Why would he make such an appointment?<br /><br />At this stage, it appears as though his staff is going to great lengths to explain that Mr. Daschle is not an appointee, as no official appointment has been made; rather, he is merely an individual who has accepted an INVITATION TO BECOME AN APPOINTEE.<br /><br />Remember how <a href="http://twoconservatives.blogspot.com/2008/02/obama-waffling-on-campaign-finance.html">Obama reneged on his promise to accept federal campaign funding</a>?<br /><br />Anyone else starting to think that Obama only adheres to his promises when it is convenient for him?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2008/nov/daschle-breaks-obama-conflict-rule">A keen insight from JudicialWatch.org</a>the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593952655376391974.post-88255685366945136352008-11-20T10:40:00.000-08:002008-11-20T10:58:55.953-08:00Health Insurers Agree to Accept Everyone with Pre-existing Conditionswell, sort of.<br /><br />There's a catch. A big one.<br /><br />They want the government to mandate coverage - - for everyone.<br /><br />The industry's largest support group, <a href="http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=25068">AHIP, has set forth a proposal</a> under which insurers would accept individuals with pre-existing coverage, so long as everyone is required to carry insurance.<br /><a href="http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15559.html"><br />Obama opposes mandated coverage</a>. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/17/health.care/index.html">Hillary (& others) supports it</a>.<br /><br />This is going to be fun.<br /><br />The insurers, of course, are right. They know their business better than the government. People like Hillary and Obama just kick back and enjoy the benefits of their cushy government jobs. They don't truly understand the wheels behind the machine. How could they?<br /><br />Cherry picking. That's the street slang for adverse selection in the underwriting process. If insurers are forced to take people who they ordinarily would not want to insure, then who is going to pay the bills? Answer: People who have no claims -- but still pay premiums. That's the way the game works. Shifting dollars.<br /><br />Notice the irony yet?<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2008/10/13/obama-plumber-plan-spread-wealth/"><br /></a><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/richard-viguerie-obamas-spread-wealth/story.aspx?guid=%7B4BA3B8FD-AD7A-4FB0-8066-9E440DFED5BB%7D">Obama wants to "spread the wealth" around</a>. Fine. Start with health care Mister President-Elect.<br /><br />Prediction: Typical insurance premiums may rise by 30% to 50% by the end of Obama's first term.<br /><br />CDR<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=25068"></a>the HSA kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08232861696068185271noreply@blogger.com0