Link me Affordable healthcare.

[Carmen813]

Originally posted by: CPA
Start here. I found over 100 plans in Houston starting at $30/month. The best ones were in the $100/month range. The question however is what do you consider "affordable". I think if you ask many people they would consider a car payment of $400/month affordable, but not insurance. Apparently, they are more concerned with their car than their health.

The only plan that site listed for me was $1083 a month for two people. It was a wierd plan, no deductible, no coinsurance %, office visits not covered. So a little over $12,000 a year for 2 people.


Then I scrolled down and found:

The quotes or rates shown above are estimates only. Your premium is subject to change based on your medical history, the underwriting practices of the insurance company, the optional benefits you selected, if any, and other relevant factors, such as changes in rates which take effect before your requested effective date. The insurance company always determines your actual premium. Insurance companies reserve the right to change the terms of a policy upon proper notification.

Ah well, it was worth a shot I guess.

 

[OrByte]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Here....
http://www.anthem.com/

Rate quotes for someone living in Chesapeake Va.
Highest rate is $194
Lowest is $73

The plans most people would pick ranges from $89 - $126 a month.

Is that affordable enough?

Here's that $89/month plan:

Per Month: $89
Deductible: $500

Providers: In network PPO, out of network requires additional consinsurance, separate deductible, and additional out of pocket maximum

Doctor Visits: First 3 yearly visits $30 copay. After that, 30% after deductible

Drugs: Separate $200/yr deductable per person. You pay $15 or 40%, whichever is greater. Coverage is for generic drugs only. $5000 yearly benefit maximum per person.

Hospital Inpatient & Outpatient Services: 30% coinsurance after deductible.

Routine Wellness Care: 1 yearly visit per person. $30 copay if within first three visits in given year, 30% if three visit limit has been reached. Routine Screenings: Covered after deductible, you pay 30%.

Emergency: 30% coinsurance aftger deductible if covered services are for emergency care as defined by Anthem.

Max Lifetime Benefit: $2million per person regardless of providers or facilities.

First, many people cannot afford even those premiums. $89 is a lot for someone who works on an hourly basis at Walmart. All the above was quoted for things done 100% in network only. So, if you get sick with something that may require a test or multiple visits, be prepared to start paying a significant amount of your paycheck. The working poor cannot afford this. Cancer? Broken arm? Flu? Be prepared to miss a rent payment if you haven't already exhausted what little savings you have...

Re: Doctors visits I am trying to interpret the stipulation...gawd that could be expensive. First 3 visits at 30 bucks each....I go to the doctor at least 5 or 6 times a year.

On the 4th visit you can expect to have to pay the visit completely out of pocket. On the 5th visit....most likely out of pocket too. On the 6th visit the insurance finally kicks in (after the 500 deductible)....and you only have to pay 30% of the visit.

that kind of medical expense would be killer on a low/fixed income.

So, am I reading that right?

 

[Double Trouble]

SirStev0, sadly, your views represent a lot of what is being brought to the table. Basically "I think it sucks, we must do better, do any change will do". You have not specified parameters of what you consider "affordable", and you keep throwing out things that have to be part of the plan to be "OK". Basically, you might as well say "there is no affordable car available! Look, any car with decent looks, a good engine, good performance and reliability is expensive!". Affordable is relative.

Lets face it, the cost of health care is the problem, not the insurance or the plans. I've yet to see anything on the table that would actually impact the cost of health care. All I've seen is debate on who should run it, manage it, pay for it etc.

Also, I think a lot of people are confused about what health care insurance is supposed to be. It's not supposed to be some way to pay for all your medical bills, it's a way to try to make sure that when major expenses hit that you are able to handle them. You expect to pay an "affordable" premium, but yet expect the plan to pay out (cover) way more than what you are putting in. That's just not realistic, no matter what system you use.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Translation: Cheap worthless health care. If this poor sap would have saved his $170 a month, he might be able to just cover the care himself. Maybe.

The point of insurance is to be there when you need it.
I maintain, there is no affordable health insurance option that actually provides proper insurance service.
Why do people insist on maintaining the bloated useless system we have? Is reform so bad?

EDIT: I almost forgot to point out that both clearly state NO PREVENTATIVE CARE. I don't think many people understand what that means. Basically, any procedure they don't feel like covering they don't. My chest xray, My friend's MRI, another friend's glaucoma test. All denied based on preventative measures. What the fuck is wrong with people when they think diagnostic tests shouldn't be covered because they consider them preventative.

Not sure what youre looking at partner, but it isnt what Im looking at. From a quote:

Preventive Care Coverage
Periodic Health Exam$30 PCP/$45 Specialist
Periodic OB-GYN Exam$30 PCP/$45 Specialist Well Baby Care$30 PCP/$45 Specialist

Looks like preventive care to me. Also no lifetime cap.

I think you have no idea what youre talking about. You can nitpick health care plans all day long, and you WILL find something that isnt covered. I tihnk youre being argumentitive and unrealistic. But then, you ARE 23.

 

[glenn1]

Originally posted by: SirStev0
This needs its own topic. You are no longer allowed to claim there are affordable options out there. Put up or shut up.


I am 23, healthy, no history of chronic diseases, unemployed (I am a student), & nonsmoker. You must prove that I will be fully covered and that I will not be denied for "preventative" tests.

I do not have an employer so you can not forget their share of the cost. Just as a for instance, if my thyroid is significantly and irregularly enlarged and my doctor wants me to have an MRI, this MUST be covered (this is an actual example of a friend with my same stats who recently had the $2000 procedure denied)

Any anti-reformer on here is free to answer with a link. This is not a debate thread. I don't want to hear your theories on the issue. I don't care about your fairy tale coverage. It is time to prove that there is affordable health care in America.

Any Euro-posters feel free to rub in your average tax cost for health care.

Why would I want to do that? Conservatives don't want you to have good healthcare. We'd rather you be in debt, working at 3rd world wages in our sweatshops, and forcing you to sell organs to meet your daily expenses.

BTW, you might want to look into the phenomenon called a free clinic if you're really that hard up for cash rather than being an annoyance here to those of us who actually have jobs and can afford insurance.

 

[Slew Foot]

Originally posted by: alchemize

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
You guys are finally learning. You could cut every doctors salary in half and youd save 3% off the total cost of health care. The main costs come from the pharmaceutical and equipment companies. Sadly, Obama already caved into them.

Wrong.

Of each dollar spent on health care in the United States 31% goes to hospital care, 21% goes to physician services, 10% to pharmaceuticals, 8% to nursing homes, 7% to administrative costs, and 23% to all other categories. (wikipedia)

Reported to snitch@whitehouse.gov

Yeah wikipedia :roll:

800,000 us physicians *175K avg salary(which is fairly generous)= 140 billion.

Total US healthcare costs 2.4 Trillion

180bill/2.4trill= 7.5%

you=owned

reported to idiot@whitehouse.proc

 

[newnameman]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: alchemize

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
You guys are finally learning. You could cut every doctors salary in half and youd save 3% off the total cost of health care. The main costs come from the pharmaceutical and equipment companies. Sadly, Obama already caved into them.

Wrong.

Of each dollar spent on health care in the United States 31% goes to hospital care, 21% goes to physician services, 10% to pharmaceuticals, 8% to nursing homes, 7% to administrative costs, and 23% to all other categories. (wikipedia)

Reported to snitch@whitehouse.gov

Yeah wikipedia :roll:

800,000 us physicians *175K avg salary(which is fairly generous)= 140 billion.

Total US healthcare costs 2.4 Trillion

180bill/2.4trill= 7.5%

you=owned

reported to idiot@whitehouse.proc

Yeah, those idiots at the Department of Health and Human Services, what do they know???? :roll:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Nationa...esExpenditures2007.pdf

 

[Patranus]

LOL - so you want something "affordable" then then say you don't want to pay for any procedures....do you think these procedures are free for the doctors? Do you think that MRI machines appear out of thin air?

I know someone who just got catastrophic coverage from Kaiser Permanente for $80/month. That is VERY affordable. If you think it isn't affordable then you need to give up your internet and cell phone.

This site shows me a plan for as low as $50/month though I have not used it nor do I know anyone who has used it
http://www.ehealthinsurance.com

but I am very comfortable with the $80/month figure.

 

[Patranus]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
First, many people cannot afford even those premiums. $89 is a lot for someone who works on an hourly basis at Walmart. All the above was quoted for things done 100% in network only. So, if you get sick with something that may require a test or multiple visits, be prepared to start paying a significant amount of your paycheck. The working poor cannot afford this. Cancer? Broken arm? Flu? Be prepared to miss a rent payment if you haven't already exhausted what little savings you have...

That is 100% BS. If they cannot afford it then they either qualify for Medicaid or CHOOSE to not "afford" it.

 

[MotF Bane]

Troll thread is troll.

 

[Patranus]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: spittledip

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Here....
http://www.anthem.com/

Rate quotes for someone living in Chesapeake Va.
Highest rate is $194
Lowest is $73

The plans most people would pick ranges from $89 - $126 a month.

Is that affordable enough?

Wow, not bad. I checked out Hartford CT and got a quote of 211 per month with decent deductibles. There is the 1500$ hospital deductible but that is not too bad. Are these new options? If these are not new, what is the problem with finding affordable insurance/Health care?

Go ahead and sign up and get sick. See how great they are. That or try to find a good cipher to read the plan.

LOL - Someone provides you a valid link and cost estimates and you combat them with a straw-man....GG

And here I sat thinking I was think king of troll threads :disgust:

 

[gingermeggs]

ban cigarettes and regulate sugar, saturated fats and salt in food and drinks and you'll save a fortune!
here's a link gleamed from the health and fitness forum- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
Again its more about the corporates having their way over the good of the general population.
It's also disturbing that public employees have publically paid for "private" health insurance.
UHC will force this issues out from the closet.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: SirStev0
This needs its own topic. You are no longer allowed to claim there are affordable options out there. Put up or shut up.


I am 23, healthy, no history of chronic diseases, unemployed (I am a student), & nonsmoker. You must prove that I will be fully covered and that I will not be denied for "preventative" tests.

I do not have an employer so you can not forget their share of the cost. Just as a for instance, if my thyroid is significantly and irregularly enlarged and my doctor wants me to have an MRI, this MUST be covered (this is an actual example of a friend with my same stats who recently had the $2000 procedure denied)

Any anti-reformer on here is free to answer with a link. This is not a debate thread. I don't want to hear your theories on the issue. I don't care about your fairy tale coverage. It is time to prove that there is affordable health care in America.

Any Euro-posters feel free to rub in your average tax cost for health care.

The people who are against health care reform do not care about affordable healthcare, well at least for other people. They are satisfied with the current system.

Someone posted in a thread that if can not afford healthcare you need to get off your butt and make more money.

 

[Tequila]

Originally posted by: SirStev0
The point of insurance is to be there when you need it.
I maintain, there is no affordable health insurance option that actually provides proper insurance service.
Why do people insist on maintaining the bloated useless system we have? Is reform so bad?

EDIT: I almost forgot to point out that both clearly state NO PREVENTATIVE CARE. I don't think many people understand what that means. Basically, any procedure they don't feel like covering they don't. My chest xray, My friend's MRI, another friend's glaucoma test. All denied based on preventative measures. What the fuck is wrong with people when they think diagnostic tests shouldn't be covered because they consider them preventative.

I can see both sides of the story. First of all, health care in this country is not broken. Health insurance is what is broken. I've had excellent health care over the years but the whole employer based system is not ideal. The plan I have under my employer is excellent but I'd rather have the same quality plan with the insurer directly and take it with me wherever I go. But in order to do that costs would have to come down because my employer pays $4500 a year for me while I donate $480 a year.

For example a knee surgery I had last year cost $20,000 and I only had to pay $510 with my Anthem PPO employer based insurance. If you had the individual PPO 1000 from Anthem you'd have to pay the $1000 deductible if it hadn't been met, plus another $2500 to fulfill your out-of-pocket expenses and then the plan would pay the remaining $16500. Still not bad especially if that surgery was 50k or 100k because you'd still only have to pay $3500 max. On the flipside it's still a lot of money for some people and preventive care is not very good in these plans. Now if you look at how much my employer pays per year in addition to what I pay you can see why individual coverage is nowhere near as good.

For example, I pay $480 a year for my Anthem PPO and my employer pays $4500 a year. For that I get a very low $250 deductible and 10% coinsurance pay and preventive care is a measly $20 co-pay. Since it's a PPO plan I can choose the specialists I like if they are in the network(out of network is costlier but still not outrageous). The deal is even sweeter for the HMO plan but then you have to choose a primary physician and have to go through him to see a specialist. The guy who did my knee surgery was covered in my PPO network and is part of one of the best orthopedic clinics in the Bay Area. The people who work there were pro, very friendly and went out of their way to schedule me for an emergency orthoscopic surgery. So why am I saying employer based system is not ideal?

First off, if I'm laid off I can only keep my coverage via COBRA for 18 months which costs a ton of money. If after 18 months I lose that I'm back to shopping for individual coverage. Or let's say I find a job but their insurance plan offerings are not as good. Now what if insurance companies where non-profit? Imagine if costs could be cut so that my employer would not have to pay $4500 a year. Let's also say costs where cut enough that I could shop for that kind of excellent plan with any insurer directly and take it with me wherever I go. I would love if it someone like Steve could afford my same plan for say $50 a month and someone like me who makes a good salary could also buy it directly but maybe costs me a bit more to help subsidise the less fortunate. Hell, I'd be willing to pay 2k-3k a year for the same great employer plan I have if I could take it with me anywhere I go and help others get it. If we could cut the costs with non-profit insurers and via tort reform I think this is doable.

Thoughts?

 

[Fear No Evil]

I'd be interested in proof that the government run plan will cost the OP any less in taxes than it would cost him to buy private insurance. And will it actually cover anything MORE?

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: CPA
Start here. I found over 100 plans in Houston starting at $30/month. The best ones were in the $100/month range. The question however is what do you consider "affordable". I think if you ask many people they would consider a car payment of $400/month affordable, but not insurance. Apparently, they are more concerned with their car than their health.

I di not even know about that. Thats a good arguement. I put myself in, for me they are all around $200 a month, a little high for a single plan. But the drug coverage sucks. I have health insurance, but it is nice to know it is available. But I believe a public option would seriously bring health coverage down, significantly.

 

[Pliablemoose]

In the health care industry we call those plans "Streetsurance" they offer horrible coverage, are slow or no pay, have low maximum lifetime benefits, exclude pre existing illnesses, and go out of business frequently.

Using these POS insurance plans as justification to be against UHC is pretty goddamn sad.

I've been against UHC for decades, but I'm sick & tired of seeing people that slip through the cracks and literally die, and the countless number of families that have been financially devastated by a major illness despite having insurance coverage has finally gotten to me.

I've personally provided care for an acute MI (the entire 3 day stay) in an ER more than once, I've held people in the recovery room 2 days and discharged them from the recovery room, I've held up necessary surgeries because all the beds are full.

Health care in this country is a disgrace, we're a disgrace for allowing the insurance companies to make a profit from human suffering. Let them make their profits from overcharging you for your auto insurance or home insurance, things need to change.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
In the health care industry we call those plans "Streetsurance" they offer horrible coverage, are slow or no pay, have low maximum lifetime benefits, exclude pre existing illnesses, and go out of business frequently.

Using these POS insurance plans as justification to be against UHC is pretty goddamn sad.

I've been against UHC for decades, but I'm sick & tired of seeing people that slip through the cracks and literally die, and the countless number of families that have been financially devastated by a major illness despite having insurance coverage has finally gotten to me.

I've personally provided care for an acute MI (the entire 3 day stay) in an ER more than once, I've held people in the recovery room 2 days and discharged them from the recovery room, I've held up necessary surgeries because all the beds are full.

Health care in this country is a disgrace, we're a disgrace for allowing the insurance companies to make a profit from human suffering. Let them make their profits from overcharging you for your auto insurance or home insurance, things need to change.

So only insurance companies are the blame? The equipment makers, drug companies, hospitals, etc.. are all non-profit? Why are they allowed to profit at the expense of sick people? Why did you not mention them and only the insurance companies? Is it because you work in the industry?

 

[Fear No Evil]

Also, whats your solution when the government decides to not pay for certain procedures and hospitals close and there are even FEWER beds available? Then what? What happens when you can no longer afford the most top of the line equipment and tests and people start dying because of that? Who do you blame then? Do any of your 401k's or other investments invest in healthcare companies or insurance companies? Is that hypocritical of YOU to profit from sickness?

There is more than one side to this story.. and the evil insurance companies aren't the only problem.

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: newnameman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: alchemize

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
You guys are finally learning. You could cut every doctors salary in half and youd save 3% off the total cost of health care. The main costs come from the pharmaceutical and equipment companies. Sadly, Obama already caved into them.

Wrong.

Of each dollar spent on health care in the United States 31% goes to hospital care, 21% goes to physician services, 10% to pharmaceuticals, 8% to nursing homes, 7% to administrative costs, and 23% to all other categories. (wikipedia)

Reported to snitch@whitehouse.gov

Yeah wikipedia :roll:

800,000 us physicians *175K avg salary(which is fairly generous)= 140 billion.

Total US healthcare costs 2.4 Trillion

180bill/2.4trill= 7.5%

you=owned

reported to idiot@whitehouse.proc

Yeah, those idiots at the Department of Health and Human Services, what do they know???? :roll:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Nationa...esExpenditures2007.pdf

LOL...yah wikpedia and HHS :roll: My source is Slewfoot and his back-of-the-napkin math!

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil

So only insurance companies are the blame? The equipment makers, drug companies, hospitals, etc.. are all non-profit? Why are they allowed to profit at the expense of sick people? Why did you not mention them and only the insurance companies? Is it because you work in the industry?

Do you freaking think for even a moment I'm unaware that my bottom line will be adversely affected? I've been working alongside Canadian nurses, respiratory therapist, physical therapists, physicians, etc for decades because they make more $ here.

We are rapidly approaching a point where there will be no choice but to nationalize health care.

 

[Druidx]

After you find the OP affordable insurance, please keep looking until you find me an affordable house. When you're done with that, I would also like a no-cost loan, maybe a better job too.


The argument isn't about the need for heath care reform, it about how it being done

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Druidx
After you find the OP affordable insurance, please keep looking until you find me an affordable house. When you're done with that, I would also like a no-cost loan, maybe a better job too.


The argument isn't about the need for heath care reform, it about how it being done

I've had ZERO costs loans for the past 4 years. In excess of $30,000 in ZERO % credit card money sitting in my account for nearly 4 years earning as high as 6% (at one point) and now at 2.25%. It's available!

Affordable houses are available in Detroit...as low as $1

Job are starting to appear.

Health care still sucks and is getting worse.

 

[Schadenfroh]

nevermind

 

[0marTheZealot]

Originally posted by: Patranus
LOL - so you want something "affordable" then then say you don't want to pay for any procedures....do you think these procedures are free for the doctors? Do you think that MRI machines appear out of thin air?

I know someone who just got catastrophic coverage from Kaiser Permanente for $80/month. That is VERY affordable. If you think it isn't affordable then you need to give up your internet and cell phone.

This site shows me a plan for as low as $50/month though I have not used it nor do I know anyone who has used it
http://www.ehealthinsurance.com

but I am very comfortable with the $80/month figure.

Again, you don't understand the scale of medical costs. An MRI can cost 2,000 dollars. A round of chemotherapy can cost 100,000 dollars. Asking the consumer to even a portion of this price is tantamount to forcing bankruptcy.

Even in the case of the OP, he simply wants to have some preventive care done. Most of the plans listed here wouldn't cover what he wants, which btw, every person should really do. Most plans would cover a blood test only before kicking the costs back to him.