Give up your Private Insurance if allowed to Buy Into Medicare?

[bvar22]

Poll question: Give up your Private Insurance if allowed to Buy Into Medicare?

How many of you with Private Insurance would switch to Medicare if you were allowed to Buy In?

[leftstreet]

1. Might need an option: Does your employer pay your premiums?

or a large percentage

[Cant trust em]

3. This is my category.

I don't pay a dime of my insurance.

[Oregone]

2. I don't understand the "No. Absolutely Not" responses

Perhaps a "Maybe Not"...

Its mind-numbing that people wouldn't want a more efficient (cheaper) insurance that actually honors claims

[leftstreet]

4. might be employer-paid?

possibly

[Oregone]

7. Even single-payer countries allow employers to cover premiums (if they exist)

The end result in this situation would be a lower bottom line for the employer, as well as a more responsible insurance for the worker. Thats not a bad thing.

Isn't that at least a "maybe no"? :)

[Brickbat]

6. We have always been very happy with what's been covered under our insurance.

Mr. Brickbat has excellent insurance through his unions. One of his unions administers its own coverage. I would hate to lose any of it.

[Oregone]

9. "I would hate to lose any of it"

You wouldn't necessarily lose the "coverage", but rather, the logo on the paperwork. Its all mind-numbing.

Sometimes I think America has the health system they deserve

[Brickbat]

10. I am not against a public option.

I'm not worried about losing my coverage.

[wryter2000]

14. Welcom to DU

:hi:

[peace13]

8. Retired Federal employees?

Don't forget...many people on Medicare now do not want others to have it at this time!

[wryter2000]

13. I'd love to have a public option so I could quit my job.

But, the coverage I have is excellent. No deductible, very low copays, excellent access and care. I desperately want a public option because the country needs it, but not on my own behalf.

[bvar22]

17. I don't understand them either.

I believe that some who receive Health Insurance from their employer are under the delusion that they aren't paying for it.

Buying into Medicare, and then purchasing additional coverage for premium care if you want it is a no-brainer to me.

I don't know anyone willing to give up their Medicare to buy Private For Profit Health Insurance.

Just try to take Medicare away from a Senior.
You will pull back a nub.

[brooklynite]

18. Because, some of us are happy with the health care we receive...

...it's important to remember when discussing this issue with others, that a significant share of the population are happy with hat they've got today. Not everybody has problems getting claims paid, or worries that they'll have problems or lose their coverage in the future.

[Oregone]

21. Yes, but its expensive

If not for you, for your employer. And you are fooling yourself if you don't think in some way, you are paying for that.

How could you look upon two products that, lets assume, are much the same (except product A costs a lot more than product B) and say that you would absolutely not choose the cheaper product? Its truly mind-numbing.

I understand examining it. Weighing the choices. Researching, etc. But "Absolutely Not". Crazy.

Maybe its because in America there is a myth that if something costs more, its better.

It costs more because executives need massive compensations, shareholders need their dividends, and they need their fancy logos and trips to Bermuda.

[FLDCVADem]

25. I know that I'm paying

As is my employer.

But I have great coverage, no deductible, low co-pay, low out of pocket cap, high lifetime max, and I've not found any doctor that doesn't accept it. They pay fast and without problem - I can go on-line, 24/7, and check the status. I've not seen any payment take more than 3 workdays, once it's submitted.

I see no reason to switch. I'm all for a public option, including Medicare, but I'm not interested in changing.

[brooklynite]

26. I choose to spend more on health care...

I have cheaper options, but I prefer the coverage I have, and can afford the additional premium.

Lets be clear: I support the Public option, for the purpose it's intended; to compete with the private insurers, not toreplace them. My point is that, in selling the Public option to the electorate, we can't start with "I don't understand why anyone would disagree with my option".

[peace13]

24. I am guessing that you are retired.

If not, do you think about what will happen when you change jobs or lose a job. If you have no worries about health care, do you have compassion for millions of people that pay for their own health care and still live in fear of losing it or can't get it at all. I just wonder how it feels to be so secure that you will never fall into the health care abyss? I wish I had that. We have worked like dogs for 25 years in our own business and pay $2400.00 a MONTH for three people. It is odd that those who have good affordable insurance do not care about the others.

[peace13]

5. We insure three people over fifty for$2400.00 a month!

A group of three...if one of us gets sick we won't have any insurance at all. I think Medicare would be a step up from the fear of losing it all if one of us gets sick! We could probably pay for quite a few other folks with the difference!

[Generator]

11. Probably

I looked up the premiums for medicare. Must be 65- $96 a month. I don't know how much of doctor's visits, etc. they cover after that. I got the idea most major stuff was covered 100% but am not sure. But as we pay $600 a month for 3 people now WITH the precious private insurance through my husband's employer that looks like a $500 savings to me. We have the Blue Cross B.S. (yes that is a double meaning there-and after that we pay a $500 deductible and 20% and $20 doctor visit.) ALSO I want to know that if my husband loses his job that we are covered. He changed jobs a few years ago, and we did the COBRA thing,what a nightmare. It was poorly managed and cost $1000 a month. I would like some piece of mind-so that alone is worth switching.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. Switch in a heartbeat

I'd gladly even pay slightly higher premium if I got more coverage out of it and NO deductibles!

[Paper Roses]

22. Don't forget that with Medicare, you pay a premium each month,

(as it is now) for each person, deducted from your Social Security check. That is about $97.00 a month. You have annual deductibles, co-pays and balances due to doctors and facilities of 20% of your bill. You are not covered at all for a lot of things unless you have the money to buy supplements. Supplements are for Part B and additionally for drug coverage. Any tests you need are not automatically covered as they are with most private insurance. (Mammograms, pap tests, things of that nature. There is no eye or dental coverage.

Yes, it is good to have Medicare but it would have to be revamped to be what people want or expect it to be.

I think it should be revamped, and offered to all Americans. As it is now, in order to have proper coverage, it is at least an additional $200 to $300.00 per person per month. Now we are up to $400.00 a month. Approx. $4800.00 a year from Social Security. Not much left for most of us. Not cheap.

Unless Seniors have another free chunk of cash each month for supplements, they are left like me: Medicare and a prayer.

[peace frog]

15. No question, I would switch

if a buy in was available.

[abluelady]

16. Absolutely

My premium is $600/month with a $2500 deductible, through husband's employer. I would defintely do better.

[Echo In Light]

19. +1

[lapislzi]

20. Depends on how much the Medicare option costs.

If it is less than my employer is paying for my premium now, then I sure would--my employer would reimburse me happily in exchange for a lower premium.

[scheming daemons]

23. My private insurance is actually pretty good.... I'd have to see what it would cost.