Why aren't health insurance premiums prorated?

[Riprorin]

Why should people that take care of themselves have to pay higher premiums to support the health care costs of those who don't?

If you smoke, you are obese, or if you have high chloesterol, you should have to pay higher premiums as you are likely to be a burden on the system.

Having to pay for a slothful lifestyle should encourage people to take better care of themselves.

Smokers pay higher life inurance premiums, why not higher health insurance premiums.

Thoughts?

 

[bradruth]

I agree. I'm also for socialized health insurance.

 

[Gravity]

Because then the slothful smokers wouldn't be able to afford it. Insurance companies depend on you NOT getting sick knowing that the smokers will, in fact use the product. If we all got sick a lot, they would be out of business.

We're just moving to a system where we pay for 100% of our employee's premiums.

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: Gravity
Because then the slothful smokers wouldn't be able to afford it.

Well, that would be a good incentive to stop smoking and start excercising, wouldn't it?

 

[Wuffsunie]

The insurance companies make more money that way. That's it. Since you're less liable to get sick, they're less likely to ever have to spend any of the money you're giving them on you. Thus, it's all profit. Well, certainly a large portion.

I agree that those who are a burden on the system should pay for that privledge and vice versa.

 

[Ronstang]

I say we do away with health insurance altogether, that way almost noone would be able to afford to go to the doctor for anything and the whole insustry would have to stop gouging and lower their prices to attract customers. Plus, without insurance the damn bottom feeding lawyers wouldn't be able to sue anyone and there would not be such a need to overcharge. Health care costs are so out of whack because it is an industry that does not follow the rules of a free market economy.....and it should. You would think as technology increases that health care would become cheaper but the exact opposite occurs.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I say we do away with health insurance altogether, that way almost noone would be able to afford to go to the doctor for anything and the whole insustry would have to stop gouging and lower their prices to attract customers. Plus, without insurance the damn bottom feeding lawyers wouldn't be able to sue anyone and there would not be such a need to overcharge. Health care costs are so out of whack because it is an industry that does not follow the rules of a free market economy.....and it should. You would think as technology increases that health care would become cheaper but the exact opposite occurs.

I agree, but the problem is, at some point in time, you will HAVE to go to the doctor, whether you like it or not. You often cant choose otherwise, and when youre on the hospital bed bleeding or in pain, they can charge you whatever they hell they want, and youll pay it.

And with insurance everywhere, doctors dont need to compete at all. It truely is the most ridiculous, absurd health care system that we have in america. It absolutely boggles my mind. But it will not change for a long long time... Too many powerful people (doctors/lawyers/insurance companies) make too much money off of it, and funnel so much money through the gov that it might never change until the system is entirely completely broken. Its getting close to that point already.

Right now, poor people get it for free, rich people can afford it, most of the middle class get it through their job...and that leaves a huge portion of the middle class who simply cant afford to pay for it themselves. And ironically, the hospital charges THEM nearly 5 times as much as they get paid by the ins company for treating the exact same patient.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I say we do away with health insurance altogether, that way almost noone would be able to afford to go to the doctor for anything and the whole insustry would have to stop gouging and lower their prices to attract customers. Plus, without insurance the damn bottom feeding lawyers wouldn't be able to sue anyone and there would not be such a need to overcharge. Health care costs are so out of whack because it is an industry that does not follow the rules of a free market economy.....and it should. You would think as technology increases that health care would become cheaper but the exact opposite occurs.

I agree, but the problem is, at some point in time, you will HAVE to go to the doctor, whether you like it or not. You often cant choose otherwise, and when youre on the hospital bed bleeding or in pain, they can charge you whatever they hell they want, and youll pay it.

And with insurance everywhere, doctors dont need to compete at all. It truely is the most ridiculous, absurd health care system that we have in america. It absolutely boggles my mind. But it will not change for a long long time... Too many powerful people (doctors/lawyers/insurance companies) make too much money off of it, and funnel so much money through the gov that it might never change until the system is entirely completely broken. Its getting close to that point already.

Right now, poor people get it for free, rich people can afford it, most of the middle class get it through their job...and that leaves a huge portion of the middle class who simply cant afford to pay for it themselves. And ironically, the hospital charges THEM nearly 5 times as much as they get paid by the ins company for treating the exact same patient.

Ummm which poor people get free health insurance? Did the USA become Britain???

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I say we do away with health insurance altogether, that way almost noone would be able to afford to go to the doctor for anything and the whole insustry would have to stop gouging and lower their prices to attract customers. Plus, without insurance the damn bottom feeding lawyers wouldn't be able to sue anyone and there would not be such a need to overcharge. Health care costs are so out of whack because it is an industry that does not follow the rules of a free market economy.....and it should. You would think as technology increases that health care would become cheaper but the exact opposite occurs.

I agree, but the problem is, at some point in time, you will HAVE to go to the doctor, whether you like it or not. You often cant choose otherwise, and when youre on the hospital bed bleeding or in pain, they can charge you whatever they hell they want, and youll pay it.

And with insurance everywhere, doctors dont need to compete at all. It truely is the most ridiculous, absurd health care system that we have in america. It absolutely boggles my mind. But it will not change for a long long time... Too many powerful people (doctors/lawyers/insurance companies) make too much money off of it, and funnel so much money through the gov that it might never change until the system is entirely completely broken. Its getting close to that point already.

Right now, poor people get it for free, rich people can afford it, most of the middle class get it through their job...and that leaves a huge portion of the middle class who simply cant afford to pay for it themselves. And ironically, the hospital charges THEM nearly 5 times as much as they get paid by the ins company for treating the exact same patient.

Ummm which poor people get free health insurance? Did the USA become Britain???

Medicaid for starts. In ny theres also family health plus, which is basically the same as medicaid but with slightly higher income limits. I assume most if not every state has a similar plan, or maybe ny just has that many poor people.

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I say we do away with health insurance altogether, that way almost noone would be able to afford to go to the doctor for anything and the whole insustry would have to stop gouging and lower their prices to attract customers. Plus, without insurance the damn bottom feeding lawyers wouldn't be able to sue anyone and there would not be such a need to overcharge. Health care costs are so out of whack because it is an industry that does not follow the rules of a free market economy.....and it should. You would think as technology increases that health care would become cheaper but the exact opposite occurs.

I agree, but the problem is, at some point in time, you will HAVE to go to the doctor, whether you like it or not. You often cant choose otherwise, and when youre on the hospital bed bleeding or in pain, they can charge you whatever they hell they want, and youll pay it.

And with insurance everywhere, doctors dont need to compete at all. It truely is the most ridiculous, absurd health care system that we have in america. It absolutely boggles my mind. But it will not change for a long long time... Too many powerful people (doctors/lawyers/insurance companies) make too much money off of it, and funnel so much money through the gov that it might never change until the system is entirely completely broken. Its getting close to that point already.

Right now, poor people get it for free, rich people can afford it, most of the middle class get it through their job...and that leaves a huge portion of the middle class who simply cant afford to pay for it themselves. And ironically, the hospital charges THEM nearly 5 times as much as they get paid by the ins company for treating the exact same patient.

Ummm which poor people get free health insurance? Did the USA become Britain???

If someone comes in with an emergency they automatically get helped, regardless of whether they can pay for it or if they have insurance. To me, that's as socialized as our health care system needs to be.

 

[Vette73]

I agree and that is one of the may reasons I don't have any insurance.

I workout, don't eat fast food, don't smoke, etc... so why should I pay for something so fat, smoking, lazy people can use.

 

[przero]

Marlin1975 - And if you get sick? We pay?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: przero
Marlin1975 - And if you get sick? We pay?

No. The chances of me getting VERY sick are very little. What it would cost would be a lot less then what health insurance cost over time. Kinda like a extended warrenty of a good item is not worth it.
BUT a extended warrenty on a unreliable item would be worth it, kind of like fat, lazy, smoking, etc... people it would be good for them to have health insurance. And it would be even better for them to have heatly people, like myself, pair for THEIR lifestyles.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I say we do away with health insurance altogether, that way almost noone would be able to afford to go to the doctor for anything and the whole insustry would have to stop gouging and lower their prices to attract customers. Plus, without insurance the damn bottom feeding lawyers wouldn't be able to sue anyone and there would not be such a need to overcharge. Health care costs are so out of whack because it is an industry that does not follow the rules of a free market economy.....and it should. You would think as technology increases that health care would become cheaper but the exact opposite occurs.

I agree, but the problem is, at some point in time, you will HAVE to go to the doctor, whether you like it or not. You often cant choose otherwise, and when youre on the hospital bed bleeding or in pain, they can charge you whatever they hell they want, and youll pay it.

And with insurance everywhere, doctors dont need to compete at all. It truely is the most ridiculous, absurd health care system that we have in america. It absolutely boggles my mind. But it will not change for a long long time... Too many powerful people (doctors/lawyers/insurance companies) make too much money off of it, and funnel so much money through the gov that it might never change until the system is entirely completely broken. Its getting close to that point already.

Right now, poor people get it for free, rich people can afford it, most of the middle class get it through their job...and that leaves a huge portion of the middle class who simply cant afford to pay for it themselves. And ironically, the hospital charges THEM nearly 5 times as much as they get paid by the ins company for treating the exact same patient.

Assuming the same costs at the docotors office without the insurance system more people could affoard normal care but no almost no one could get there 2 or three heart bypasses and other fun surgiers.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: przero
Marlin1975 - And if you get sick? We pay?

No. The chances of me getting VERY sick are very little. What it would cost would be a lot less then what health insurance cost over time. Kinda like a extended warrenty of a good item is not worth it.
BUT a extended warrenty on a unreliable item would be worth it, kind of like fat, lazy, smoking, etc... people it would be good for them to have health insurance. And it would be even better for them to have heatly people, like myself, pair for THEIR lifestyles.

I hope for your sake that you don't learn your lesson the hard way. I'd love to go without health insurance... I'm very healthy, haven't been sick in years, but it didn't stop me from getting a kidney stone a few years back.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: przero
Marlin1975 - And if you get sick? We pay?

No. The chances of me getting VERY sick are very little. What it would cost would be a lot less then what health insurance cost over time. Kinda like a extended warrenty of a good item is not worth it.
BUT a extended warrenty on a unreliable item would be worth it, kind of like fat, lazy, smoking, etc... people it would be good for them to have health insurance. And it would be even better for them to have heatly people, like myself, pair for THEIR lifestyles.

I hope for your sake that you don't learn your lesson the hard way. I'd love to go without health insurance... I'm very healthy, haven't been sick in years, but it didn't stop me from getting a kidney stone a few years back.

Less then 10% of american will get Kidney stones and even then most will pass on their own.

Again I am not going to pay for lazy, fat, smokers, etc........

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Why should people that take care of themselves have to pay higher premiums to support the health care costs of those who don't?

If you smoke, you are obese, or if you have high chloesterol, you should have to pay higher premiums as you are likely to be a burden on the system.

Having to pay for a slothful lifestyle should encourage people to take better care of themselves.

Smokers pay higher life inurance premiums, why not higher health insurance premiums.

Thoughts?

I agree. I would even go further than that. Everyone should have a DNA test. If markers are found that put you at a risk for cancer or other system burdening diseases you should pay a much higher rate or either be denied insurance.

 

[Vette73]

^


Why not if it could be measured very well.

Just like car insurance if you are young or old you pay more. If you have driving problems from accidents, tickets, etc... you pay more.

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: fredtam

I agree. I would even go further than that. Everyone should have a DNA test. If markers are found that put you at a risk for cancer or other system burdening diseases you should pay a much higher rate or either be denied insurance.

Orwell....is that you?

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
I agree and that is one of the may reasons I don't have any insurance.

I workout, don't eat fast food, don't smoke, etc... so why should I pay for something so fat, smoking, lazy people can use.

And doing all that keeps you from having a serious accident how?


Lethal

 

[fredtam]

Originally posted by: beer

Originally posted by: fredtam

I agree. I would even go further than that. Everyone should have a DNA test. If markers are found that put you at a risk for cancer or other system burdening diseases you should pay a much higher rate or either be denied insurance.

Orwell....is that you?

No but basing insurance on lifestyle would eventually lead to that.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: fredtam

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Why should people that take care of themselves have to pay higher premiums to support the health care costs of those who don't?

If you smoke, you are obese, or if you have high chloesterol, you should have to pay higher premiums as you are likely to be a burden on the system.

Having to pay for a slothful lifestyle should encourage people to take better care of themselves.

Smokers pay higher life inurance premiums, why not higher health insurance premiums.

Thoughts?

I agree. I would even go further than that. Everyone should have a DNA test. If markers are found that put you at a risk for cancer or other system burdening diseases you should pay a much higher rate or either be denied insurance.

Which is exactly why our current system is either going to need to be totally revamped, or a LOT of people are going to get screwed. Once the genome is more properly understood, those kinds of tests will be available. If Im not mistaken there is already a test for hodgkin's disease, and some insurers do make you take it.

Insurance is only fair if everyone has an equal chance. Itd be a bad business decision, and just plain unfair to other people if insurers DIDNT test for this. And I dunno, but I can swear they charge smokers around here more money for health insurance.

Which is why health insurance needs to go away. Healthcare should be for the sick, not for the rich. What kind of a society can we call ourselves if we dont even look out for each others basic needs? I guess thats america for you.

 

[Vette73]

^


The problem is so MANY people fall into the Fat, lazy, smoking, etc... group here in america a large number of people would be mad or say they only do this to XYZ type people. Then race, religion, or something will get thrown in there and they will use that to make healty poeple pay for THEIR lifestyle.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Originally posted by: LethalWolfe

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
I agree and that is one of the may reasons I don't have any insurance.

I workout, don't eat fast food, don't smoke, etc... so why should I pay for something so fat, smoking, lazy people can use.

And doing all that keeps you from having a serious accident how?


Lethal

One of the only reasons I have health insurance.."just in case". Its BS that my employer has to pay 365 bucks a month (i'm glad I don't have to) for me to not use it. I go to the doctor maybe once a year. The cost of healthcare in America is just as at fault as the insurance companies are. It should not be ran like a business.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: przero
Marlin1975 - And if you get sick? We pay?

No. The chances of me getting VERY sick are very little. What it would cost would be a lot less then what health insurance cost over time. Kinda like a extended warrenty of a good item is not worth it.
BUT a extended warrenty on a unreliable item would be worth it, kind of like fat, lazy, smoking, etc... people it would be good for them to have health insurance. And it would be even better for them to have heatly people, like myself, pair for THEIR lifestyles.

I hope for your sake that you don't learn your lesson the hard way. I'd love to go without health insurance... I'm very healthy, haven't been sick in years, but it didn't stop me from getting a kidney stone a few years back.

Less then 10% of american will get Kidney stones and even then most will pass on their own.

Again I am not going to pay for lazy, fat, smokers, etc........

One bad car accident and you are broke for life...