Insurance

higgs · Dec 9, 2010

Good thing you were able to rely on a good insurance policy. I suspect most of us on this board have decent insurance. As much as I am addicted to sailing, I put health insurance over boat ownership. As long as I can keep up with bottom painting and other maintenance (and health insurance), I will own a boat. When it gets to the point I can't maintain her I hope other members at the club will invite me out on their boats.

KD3PC · Dec 10, 2010

Good that you have insurance...some of us have these pesky "pre-existing conditions"...that preclude insurance at any cost and even the new program does nothing to add us to the rolls - at a rate anyone can afford. In my case since I have taken three pills a day for the last 10 years, that constitutes "treatment" - and "treatment" = "pre-existing condition".

Yes, I have been to the lawyers and anyone else who claims to be able to help - politicians, doctors, clinics, etc. Had short term and long term disability while working...but the carrier for that says long term does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Isn't every illness/disease you get pre-existing at least some time...before you discover it.

The new program, if your state participates, says they have to take you...but they do not say anything about the rates...(same for taken your adult children) In my case, three years ago I could have gotten high deductible, catastrophic health for just under $4K monthly and that had a $500K life time payout. The same plan last month was over $6K.

All this for a stomach ailment that a large majority of the population has, and seldom kills directly. Colitis/Crohn's.

A big thank you to the new gov't health care that still leaves a large number of people with absolutely NO health care. NOT!!

Benny17441 · Dec 10, 2010

Well said Ross. We should all take care of ourselves as well or better than MaineSail takes care of his boat.

Steve Dion · Dec 10, 2010

KD3PC:

Have you looked into some of the new laser treatments for these stomach ailments? I have no idea if they really work, but I would look into something like this. What have you got to lose considering your problem?

I would do some research and see what type of a story you get. Look up "laser allergy treatments".

zeehag · Dec 10, 2010

colitis is nasty stuff. as a result of reynauds disease i have ischemic colitis--i have to remain hydrated and stress free to remain free f pain. isnt always easily done. crohns is exceptionally nasty-- good luck.
someone who used to be a friend was relaying to me that his arms were not functional due to back injuries-- is on ssi and no ins-- so, should he not be telling false tales, he is massively toast. i am glad i dont have to concern meself with those problems.. mine are treated well by avoidance of hospitals..and avoidance of cold weather./...

Paul Brinkley · Dec 10, 2010

Ross-
"The repair work and the attendant care ran close to a hundred thousand dollars. I am not sure I am worth that much but I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt. "
I seem to remember some time ago someone calculated the value of the materials which make up the human body, and it was only a few dollars. We just have to be glad that the value of a human being is considerably more than the value of the materials! -Paul

zeehag · Dec 10, 2010

they also harvest skin

Steve Dion · Dec 10, 2010

Obviously there is a happy medium between purchasing the Rolls Royce policy and a policy that covers you with a reasonable spot lost. Normally insurance costs are in the favor of the insurance company. If you determine the difference between the high price policy and something that has a reasonable cost, you can put the difference in a Medical/Health Savings account to put away the money for the big one.

There are not many of us that have a $100 grand that we can afford to pay for a major operation/s so you need to decide where your odds are.

zeehag · Dec 10, 2010

something about ssi and ssdi income that precludes ability to purchase anything much less insurance. is not easy finding the money to make it to end month for foods when some of the folks only bring in 600-800 dollars per month. where ye gonna find the dough to buy insurance??????
and medicare b is removed from pay ye get as ssdi recipient-- doesnt cover anything. they take 100 dollars out per month for part b and nothing is covered by that, except percentage of a doctors visit. 100 dollars per month out for nothing. and the problem is-- this was paid for when i was working-- mandatorily. so -- you tell me, guys-- do ye buy insurance or do ye eat????

AbbySedge · Dec 10, 2010

Insurance or food

Ross said:
Fortunately I can do both, but medical insurance and prescription drugs takes a seriously big bite out of my budget. I confess that this year we have dipped into savings to pay our bills and we are careful to food shop for only items that are on sale. Except for the boat we haven't been out of the county for three years.

Luckily for me I can do both, although I do a lot of bargaining shopping, buy store brands etc, etc. I am a retired nurse from the University of Alabama so draw fairly good pension, widows benefits from ss and a small retirement from my deceased husband. God rest his soul. He really took care of me. He passed ten years ago and social security has informed me that I will be eligible to draw more on my own after my 70th birthday so the govt has not ruined that for me.

Oh by the way, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

kenn · Dec 10, 2010

Single-payer, universal healthcare, people. Civilized, and less expensive overall. You'll come around someday.

AbbySedge · Dec 10, 2010

Ross said:
We are careful to insure our homes and boats and cars against loss and we tend to be diligent about caring for them. Are we as careful to make certain that our health is as well insured and maintained as the rest of that which we hold dear.
When I turned fifty I asked my doctor for a complete physical. He wanted to know why and I told him that I wanted him to know how the machinery sounded when it was running well because one day I might have a problem and he should know what good looked like on me.
This year I had some excess wear and tear on my back and hip but because of exceptional insurance I didn't spend any money out of pocket for the repairs and the attendant care.
If I had not had the insurance I would be crippled but because of the repairs I am able to function as well as I could three years ago.
Having a collection of toys is of no value if your health won't permit you to enjoy them.

Ross, I had a lung cancer scare in September of this year and had a little stint in the hospital when they ran every test you could think of. CT scanned, Pet Scans and got threatened with a bronchoscopy. Fortunately and hopefully it is not cancer but my pulmonary doc is keeping a check on it every three months;

. I have good insurance with medicare A and B and a subsidy of blue cross from my place of retirement, therefore, my costs were minimal. Talk about a scare!
Made me realize how precious life is and be thankful for every day and can be glad I worked all those years to get where I am now.
I will be getting married Jan first to a wonderful man who is also on this board. Restless one!
We have three weeks from tomorrow!

Steve Dion · Dec 11, 2010

kenn said:
Single-payer, universal healthcare, people. Civilized, and less expensive overall. You'll come around someday.

Kenn: When you say it is less expensive overall who are you taking about? The person that is receiving the service or the tax payers.

Medicare & medicaid are the most expensive insurance programs that there are in the US. Our doctors are already dropping out of Medicare. They are posting notices in their offices that they will be dropping Medicare patients.

Now we will be seeing waiting lists to see a doctor if you do not have private insurance or pay cash.

The US is already over 14 trillion in debt what do you think this is going to do to the debt?

KD3PC · Dec 11, 2010

A big first step that would brin immediate cash to the table - would be to chase down, eliminate and prosecute the FRAUD that is rampant in both medicare and medicaid...

Billions are at stake, everyone agrees - yet nothing is done to reduce or prosecute those criminals.

But I don't think people are interested in SOLVING the problem..nor will this new "health care plan" change things..too much money at stake...

YMMV