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In reply to the discussion: If you’re younger than 50 and entirely self insured you’re in for a nightmare.. [View all]Hoyt
(54,770 posts)81. Except, you are free to go to any doctor, take almost any medicine available, etc.
Last edited Mon Dec 10, 2012, 10:34 PM - Edit history (1)
You do not have free choice in most countries. Drug formularies are tightly controlled, and cost is a big factor. If you need a specialist, you are assigned one, or have limited choice at best. Hospitals often specialize in certain diseases. You may love old Dr. Welby, but to keep the system costs down -- you don't get to choose very much.
Again, I'm fine with that.
I have Kaiser now and like it, it's about as cheap as you can get without really high deductibles, copays, etc.
But, when I started, I had to change a number of meds to less costly ones. I got to choose from 3 primary care physicians. If I need surgery, I'll go where assigned. And I LIKE IT, because it's a coordinated system, which free choice systems are not. You'll get better care in a coordinated system.
And I'll guarantee you that most of those that want single payer will yell like crazy when they start tightening the system. Again, I'm fine with that and believe that is the way it should be so that we can cover those currently uninsured. But those who value free choice, etc., are going to be disappointed.
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If you’re younger than 50 and entirely self insured you’re in for a nightmare.. [View all]
busterbrown
Dec 2012
OP
Assume you are speaking of health insurance. Fortunately, Obamacare has some provisions that
Hoyt
Dec 2012
#2
Except, you are free to go to any doctor, take almost any medicine available, etc.
Hoyt
Dec 2012
#81
Yes I understand and agree with you.. Just an option I hope my fellow americans don't have to take.
southernyankeebelle
Dec 2012
#72
We live in a F'en insane country. Yep, I know it's not the worse, but the US is a
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#6
No, it really isn't, it's always used too much, I think, to gage our ineptness as acceptable. n/t
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#32
No, it certainly is not, not at all. I had a republican tell me the other day, well, you
RKP5637
Dec 2012
#38
if you have a middle class home and salary,You’ll have to protect your home and assets
busterbrown
Dec 2012
#8
For a 60 year old to pay 3 times as much as a 20 year old sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
pnwmom
Dec 2012
#23
Why do you think young people, who are in general healthier and make less money,
pnwmom
Dec 2012
#66
Because actuarial risk adjustment is both viciously amoral and twice as expensive to boot
eridani
Dec 2012
#67
That's not why the costs are lower there. It's because hospital and doctor charges are regulated
pnwmom
Dec 2012
#70
There will be a donut hole where people make too much for aid but too little for good insurance.
Selatius
Dec 2012
#61
I agree. The ACA is basically a floor -- and now we need to build on that floor. nt
pnwmom
Dec 2012
#63
Pray tell... How old are you. I had blue cross in Cali. and paid 350 with a huge deductible.
busterbrown
Dec 2012
#27
Is this based on info you have about Obamacare or are you basing this on past history?
pnwmom
Dec 2012
#15
I’m talking about my situation only. Middle class job with assets probably in the upper middle
busterbrown
Dec 2012
#25
Malarkey. I'm in my 64th year. My BC-BS self-pay premium is $550. Deductible is $1,500 and,
WheelWalker
Dec 2012
#30
"Self-insured" means you pay for ALL your med expenses. You mean "individual insurance policy"
Honeycombe8
Dec 2012
#18
Sorry.... Individual Insurance Policy is what I am referring to. Self insured, I thought I buy my ow
busterbrown
Dec 2012
#22
Don't forget that people lose their jobs late in life thru no fault of their own...
Honeycombe8
Dec 2012
#21
In Canada a hospital has around three employees doing claims and similar size hospital
Thinkingabout
Dec 2012
#36
Yes. It is clear to me that our own government doesn't consider us citizens
truebluegreen
Dec 2012
#57
Thanks for helping to bankrupt and kill the 15% sick minority by withdrawing money from the system
eridani
Dec 2012
#69
Health savings accounts are useful only to those affluent enough to pay income tax
eridani
Dec 2012
#74
Do those other countries have doctors that practice defensive medicine?
customerserviceguy
Dec 2012
#87
I don't agree that it's part of the problem. The problem is lack of guaranteed--
eridani
Dec 2012
#91
For a bunch of people who claim to understand business, Republicans just don't get this...
Hippo_Tron
Dec 2012
#54