Health Insurance Rant

[Burt Munro]

I'm going to start off by saying I appreciate the fact that I have good health insurance - especially after the bill I just got.

Climbing up on the box.....

I had an ER visit in July - turned out to be no big deal.....

I get the bill today for my $50 co-pay - no problem.

Then I look at the Account Summary:

Starting Account Balance -       $4,067.30 (total charges for ER visit)
Total Insurance Adjustment -   $3,784.30 (discount given to the Insurance company)
Total Insurance Payment -          $233.00  (amount Insurance company pays to the hospital)

New Account Ballance -                 $50.00 (my co-pay that I'm responsible for)



What if I didn't have Insurance???  I'd be stuck for over $4000!
I can understand the hospital making an allowance for the Insurance company - but forgiving over 90% of the bill????

Does this make sense to anyone? 

And they claim that Health Insurance premiums are going up because the cost of health care is increasing!!!!  I'd hate to see what it would cost if they had to pay more than 10% of the bill!!!

Again, I appreciate the fact that I have health insurance.  What about you guys out there that are self-employed or don't have an employer who pays for health care???

[Court Jester]

Well, for one, thank the lobbyists and the government for the screwed up health care system. Yeah, I know. That's a thread all in itself.

Anyway, so much is charged to the insurance company because the insurance companies as a whole try to bargain, deal, and sometimes flat refuse payment for some of the charges. As a result, the doctors and hospitals charge more on some things and add things they don't necessarily have to add in hopes of getting more when the insurance says what they will and wont pay.

My doctor farms on the side and I always buy sides of beef from him. The more I wreck, the better the deal I get on the beef.

[spyderchick]

You probably shouldn't go see Sicko by Michael Moore any time soon. 

[backMARKr]

Its a good thing American Society has Michael Moore, Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, and so many other self proclaimed experts to let us know why we suck, why we need to feel guilty, and who's to blame for everything... ironically its always who ever happens to be at the other end of these self righteous people's index finger.   



flame on....