Getting old/sick

[deaknh03]

17 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I told my wife that if (and more than likely when)my health becomes a burden either financially or I have to be baby sitted. I will take care of the problem myself.

your going to become a doctor?

[Way north bass guy]

On 8/6/2019 at 3:43 PM, Tim Kelly said:

Living in the UK, with a very good, though obviously not perfect national health system, I can't imagine the terror of living in America with the constant possibility of being forced into bankruptcy just because you have the misfortune to have an accident or get ill. A friend of mine who has a very good job and could easily retire is kind of forced to keep working just to keep the healthcare insurance for him and his wife until they're old enough for medicare. Universal healthcare seems like it should be a basic tenet of a civilized society, especially in developed countries, from my European perspective.

^ This is pretty much the exact way I feel. ??

[jbsoonerfan]

My job (school teacher) makes my insurance a part of my salary. I have no choice to find my own insurance. I pay almost $7,000 a year for health insurance as a part of my "salary". I have used it one time in 14 years and I think the bill was $1,200 before the insurance and I paid like $300. So, I have paid almost $100,000 for insurance without an option. Chew on that.

[J Francho]

9 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I pay almost $7,000 a year for health insurance as a part of my "salary". I have used it one time in 14 years and I think the bill was $1,200 before the insurance and I paid like $300. So, I have paid almost $100,000 for insurance without an option. Chew on that.

What's to chew on?  That's exactly how insurance works.  I pay to insure my vehicle, but haven't made a claim in decades.  I pay for enhanced short term disability, but haven't ever been on it.  If I ever need it, it's there.  You put in to the basket of funds, and if you need it, you can take from the basket.  If too many take from the basket, then rates increase.  That said, I most certainly take more than I pay on the health insurance side.  If I didn't have that access, I'd be dead.  Chew on that.

 

I don't like the system any more than you, but it's all we have.

[Koz]

The entire Affordable Care Act was a fiasco for most people and the people it was intended to help the most still didn't sign up for insurance. A few years ago the company I worked for was sold and I was out of a full time job for a while and had to drop my insurance because I needed a roof over my head and food to eat. The government penalized me $1800 for that.

 

One of the biggest problems with the insurance industry is that competition is discouraged. It's ridiculous that companies cannot sell insurance across state lines. That's why we have entities like Blue Cross of South Carolina, Blue Cross of Connecticut, etc.

 

I don't see a national healthcare system working because as soon as the government is involved prices will skyrocket (the old $300 hammer issue). If the government is involved it should be in price controls, not managing the program. But even then there will be lobbyists and kickbacks and a bunch of members of Congress will suddenly add millions to their net worth. As long as we allow lobbyists regulations and laws will benefit the pockets of politicians and big corporations. I'm not against most big companies, but every year consumers get screwed a little more.

 

As for drug companies, a lot of them spend a ton in researching new drugs and as soon as it hits the market the rest of the world copies it and they lose sales. But even with that, they charge way too much for crucial drugs. They also spend billions in advertising. I've written my Congressmen on a few occasions asking for a bill to be passed that prevents drug companies from advertising on TV. There's a lot behind me reasoning and I won't go into it here, but it is not good for consumers in the long run.

 

 

[Scott F]

3 years ago, when I was forced to retire due to an injury, I would not have been able to afford any health insurance for my wife and myself without the Affordable Care Act.  It was a huge help to me.

[jbsoonerfan]

16 hours ago, J Francho said:

What's to chew on?  That's exactly how insurance works.  I pay to insure my vehicle, but haven't made a claim in decades.  I pay for enhanced short term disability, but haven't ever been on it.  If I ever need it, it's there.  You put in to the basket of funds, and if you need it, you can take from the basket.  If too many take from the basket, then rates increase.  That said, I most certainly take more than I pay on the health insurance side.  If I didn't have that access, I'd be dead.  Chew on that.

 

I don't like the system any more than you, but it's all we have.

But I don't have a choice to shop around for insurance. Do you get to purchase the vehicle insurance you want, with the deductible you want? I don't get to do that with my health insurance. But I'm glad you take more than you pay in on the health insurance so people like me can pay for it.

 

Probably my last post ever on BR for disagreeing with a Mod, thanks for the good times.

[roadwarrior]

5 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Probably my last post ever on BR for disagreeing with a Mod, thanks for the good times.

C'mon, you can disagree and make your point on this or any other topic.  All we ask is that

conversations are "civil".

 

 

 

[J Francho]

6 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

But I don't have a choice to shop around for insurance. Do you get to purchase the vehicle insurance you want, with the deductible you want? I don't get to do that with my health insurance. But I'm glad you take more than you pay in on the health insurance so people like me can pay for it.

 

Probably my last post ever on BR for disagreeing with a Mod, thanks for the good times. 

I did get a choice of three plans from my employer, or I can shop on the NYS Exchange.  I would say benefits are one the first things I ask about when applying for a job.  I pay my fair share for insurance, about 8% of my gross income.  Add in co-pays, and that number jumps.  Factor in that insulin and insulin pump supplies quadrupled in out of pocket costs, and maybe you get the picture.  Ever look at that "maximum out of pocket" number when enrolling, and think yeah, I'll never hit that.  I hit it in April.  Emptied my FSA as well.  I spend around 18-21% of my income to stay alive.  Do you think that's fair?  I'm okay with it.

 

And no banning for meaningful dialog. 

[jbsoonerfan]

5 hours ago, J Francho said:

I did get a choice of three plans from my employer, or I can shop on the NYS Exchange.  I would say benefits are one the first things I ask about when applying for a job.  I pay my fair share for insurance, about 8% of my gross income.  Add in co-pays, and that number jumps.  Factor in that insulin and insulin pump supplies quadrupled in out of pocket costs, and maybe you get the picture.  Ever look at that "maximum out of pocket" number when enrolling, and think yeah, I'll never hit that.  I hit it in April.  Emptied my FSA as well.  I spend around 18-21% of my income to stay alive.  Do you think that's fair?  I'm okay with it.

 

And no banning for meaningful dialog. 

While I may not think it is fair for me to not have a choice, I am glad I have it in case I ever need it. If I had the option to put that money in my pocket every month I would. That being said, if something were to ever happen to me there is no way I would be able to pay for the costs without insurance. I guess I would have a change of heart should something bad ever happen to me.

[slonezp]

13 hours ago, Koz said:

The entire Affordable Care Act was a fiasco for most people and the people it was intended to help the most still didn't sign up for insurance. A few years ago the company I worked for was sold and I was out of a full time job for a while and had to drop my insurance because I needed a roof over my head and food to eat. The government penalized me $1800 for that.

 

One of the biggest problems with the insurance industry is that competition is discouraged. It's ridiculous that companies cannot sell insurance across state lines. That's why we have entities like Blue Cross of South Carolina, Blue Cross of Connecticut, etc.

 

I don't see a national healthcare system working because as soon as the government is involved prices will skyrocket (the old $300 hammer issue). If the government is involved it should be in price controls, not managing the program. But even then there will be lobbyists and kickbacks and a bunch of members of Congress will suddenly add millions to their net worth. As long as we allow lobbyists regulations and laws will benefit the pockets of politicians and big corporations. I'm not against most big companies, but every year consumers get screwed a little more.

 

As for drug companies, a lot of them spend a ton in researching new drugs and as soon as it hits the market the rest of the world copies it and they lose sales. But even with that, they charge way too much for crucial drugs. They also spend billions in advertising. I've written my Congressmen on a few occasions asking for a bill to be passed that prevents drug companies from advertising on TV. There's a lot behind me reasoning and I won't go into it here, but it is not good for consumers in the long run.

 

 

The affordable health care tax was written by insurance companies and health care providers to provide government subsidies to the insurance companies and health care providers. You were fined $1800 for not paying a tax.

Lobbyist groups rather than constituents control our government officials. Until that changes, nothing will change.

 

[Way2slow]

Wow, sounds like someone is very thin skinned. 

If I got my drawers in a bunch every time someone did not agree or disagreed with me, I would have been out of here almost as soon as I joined.  I seem to have an inherent way of p*****g people off on a lot of subjects, but hey that's why these are open discussion topics. 

I guess you've been married a lot of times.  Every time a wife's does not agree with something, you leave and find another.

[deaknh03]

19 hours ago, slonezp said:

The affordable health care tax was written by insurance companies and health care providers to provide government subsidies to the insurance companies and health care providers. You were fined $1800 for not paying a tax.

Lobbyist groups rather than constituents control our government officials. Until that changes, nothing will change.

 

thats it. well said.

[.ghoti.]

We are sliding off into politics folks.

 

I realize it will be difficult, but let’s not go there, please.

[DanielG]

On 8/6/2019 at 4:12 PM, Way2slow said:

He said Medicare and Tricare are great for the patient, but medical facilities are loosing large sums of money because they are only paying about a dime on the dollar for what it cost.

So, it's getting harder and harder to get quality heath care if you only have Medicare.

I live in Maine. The oldest population in the country I've heard. We have lots of doctors in the more populated southern part of the state. Where I am a decent size hospital about every 25 miles. Everyone takes medicare. If they didn't they wouldn't have any patients. So, that's not an issue.

 

I'll be on Medicare in a couple of months. I was a teacher for 30+ years but had to drop my medical when I retired... long story but it wasn't possible with the wife and the way it is set up in our state. Anyway, we went on Obamacare for three years, no choice. It has been  really good coverage in both cost, coverage and availability. I know everyone says it sucks, but it is very good for anyone you ask around here who is on it. And yes, I know someone is paying for it, and I wish there was an alternative but it saved us when we needed it. The only downside was the year to year uncertainty of it being gutted.

[Hammer 4]

I'd like to see medicare include hearing and vision. I've lost 65% of my upper freq hearing, and to get hearing aids that correct that runs over 6k, which I don't have laying around to spend, so I miss out on a lot of conversations. Not saying they should cover it 100%, but at least a portion of it.

[NYWayfarer]

On 8/9/2019 at 8:09 AM, J Francho said:

  I would say benefits are one the first things I ask about when applying for a job. 

 

That’s sound advice I would give everyone. I interview candidates all the time for positions on my team. 99% ask about salary instead of benefits. My company offers a great insurance plan and generous PTO. You might make money somewhere else but factor in the benefits and you might actually be making less.

 

[Way2slow]

Hammer 4, if you happen to be a veteran, The VA is using top of the line hearing aids (believe it or not).  I don't normally go anywhere near a VA, but my ENT told me about the VA's hearing aids, and you couldn't buy any better.  So, now I'm waiting on mine to come in.  Like with anything to do with the VA, you will have a long wait, but I figured this time, it's would be worth it. 

I have a 75 DB loss above 4,500hz and starting to loose some on the lower frequencies so figured it was time to try them.

[Bass Junke]

If you get into an accident where you receive injuries that leave you on deaths doorstep, America is the best country to be in. If you have an ongoing condition ( diabetes) this is the worst country to live in. There is no money for the insurance companies if they cure you. On the other hand, if they can keep you alive with medication...$$$. 

 

The way I look at it, if you can't make me better, I shouldn't have to pay for medication to keep me alive. We have the best and brightest in this country, figure it out. 

[Sam]

We have both Medicare as primary and the full Federal Government Employees Blue Cross as backup. This is how a "self-insurance" program works. Medicare pays first and your group health insurance pays second.

 

We get to see all the doctors we want and don't pay any copays, etc. for covered charges.

 

Blue Cross, Cigna, United Healthcare, etc. have "preferred providers" who accept lower reimbursements keeping the price of medical coverage at a low level adn at the same time reducing the number of Medicare patients the physicians want to see. After all, they got into medicine for two things: First, the money. Second, the prostate check during your annual physical.

 

I also go to the McGuire VA in Richmond and it is fantastic. Great people. Great service. It is a pleasure to go the McGuire for medical tests, skin cancer screens, eye checkups, etc. Plus you can get glasses (frames and lens) for free although they do recommend you pay $109 for the coating. And my wife is eligible for the free glasses, too.

 

Sorry you had to find out about the pitfalls of Medicare and how the medical professionals view that program. I am sure the VA hospital in Atlanta will see you although you will have a drive to and from the facility.

 

 

[Buckeye Ron]

I go on Medicare next March. As it stands right now, the whole program confuses the heck out of me! Pretty sure I am going to consult an expert before I decide what to do.  My current retiree insurance runs out when I hit 65, and unfortunately for me(in this case)the wife is 7 years younger than me so I will also have that cost to absorb. 

Im thinking very seriously of looking into a part time job to help offset these impending medical costs.

[J Francho]

And we're done here.  Seems impossible for folks not to make political comments.