Keith, you are correct though you have no idea why. I am uninsured. The
reason why I am no longer in a group is complicated. The reason I am
uninsured is not complicated at all.
My individual premium had reached over $1600/month with a $10000 deductible
and prescription coverage that was worse than just mail ordering
prescriptions from Canada. At the time I was making 2 doctor visits per
year, with blood work each time, getting 4 prescriptions and had no
additional medical costs for years.
Once I dropped that useless insurance, I tried several group discount plans
which was a waste. I quit going to doctors and all medication for 7 years.
I just recently started going again because I found a lump under my arm (it
turned out to be an infected hair follicle). Now I am paying full bore
costs for everything and it scares the hell out of me that something serious
will happen. The last blood work series listed out at nearly $1000. I pay
that much because the medical facilities have to overcharge (and set
precedents) of high costs because medicare and insurance companies underpay
for everything. The "free market" driven system and government controls
BOTH suck ... largely because there is no free market. The bottom line
mentality today drives everything and hurts everyone but the rich and
powerful.
Sorry, I had promised I would not get involved in this thread and have
failed badly.
On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 5:39 PM, keith smith <
klsmith2020@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Based on a recent experience, other life experiences, and much reading I
> would say health insurance premiums are increasing do a great extent based
> on and the cause of extremely expensive rates is based on the uninsured who
> utilize and do not pay.
>
> We have a ton of "guests" who use the emergency room as their PCP. You and
> I pay for that in many ways. Directly and indirectly. It also affects our
> taxes.
>
> I know you are going to cry foul. I think you might change your tune if
> you had to pay $800 a month for insurance you can hardly use.
>
> The quotes I have been receiving are in the $400 plus range and have a
> $9000 deductible. That means I pay $4800 a year plus all medical costs up
> to $9000. My out of pocket would be $13,800 before I would get into a 70% /
> 30% where I would pay up to another $3000 and then the insurance kicks in.
> That means I would spend $16,800 before the insurance takes over.
>
> This is all true.
>
>
>
> ------------------------
> Keith Smith
>
> --- On *Sat, 8/28/10, Robert Holtzman <holtzm@cox.net>* wrote:
>
>
> From: Robert Holtzman <holtzm@cox.net>
> Subject: Re: OT: Self Employed Health Insurance Costs and Coverage
> To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010, 5:23 PM
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 28, 2010 at 02:39:06PM -0700, Lyle Tuttle wrote:
> > At 12:16 PM 8/28/2010, you wrote:
> >
>
> ............snip.........
>
> > > We have a problem and it needs to be fixed. I believe in a free
> market
> > > solution.
> >
> > The health insurance industry has been operating under a free market
> > system forever.
> >
> >
> > Sorry - that is not correct.......big brother govt has had their hand in
> for
> > quite some time, messing up the works.
>
> Oh. That's probably the reason rates have *far* outstripped inflation.
> Yup, too much regulation. Couldn't be the profit motive.
>
> .........snip.........
>
> >
> > If 100% of the people bought, we would have much lower pricing
>
> That's a feature of the health care package.....the feature that causes
> conservatives to have a stroke.
>
> --
> Bob Holtzman
> Key ID: 8D549279
> "If you think you're getting free lunch,
> check the price of the beer"
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
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--
Dazed_75 a.k.a. Larry
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions,
that I wish it always to be kept alive.
- Thomas Jefferson
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