The "true" cost of healthcare?

[StageLeft]

Seems pretty cheap. My plan is more, but it covers family. Except for hospital costs related to having kids--and possibly even with those--if we go back to my employment history and tab up all the money my employer and I have spent, it would be more than my actual medical outlay, but then that's how insurance works.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: sportage

Real questions:

How would you feel about losing said coverage as a result of an act of Congress?

You are not taking into account... that... the 'rules" of "their" game can change at any time.
With the current system folks... there is No guarantees.
The sad thing is when someone would believe they are, so to speak, "locked in" to their plan.
The insurance co holds all the keys here... people. Not you NOR your employer.
Come-on people... really...

Look at the profits companies like CIGNA make, or the multi millions they pay
their CEO's.

And you feel "locked-in". Really... :laugh:

Oh you mean their skyrocket profit margin in 2008 of 1.5%? That one you mean?

Profit is after they take all their cuts. There is a reason their "overhead" is 20%. That means every dollar they take in only 80cents goes to medical cost. The rest stays with them for the previlage to allow them to pay your doctor. Hell the Fed Gov has less then 5% overhead and trolls like you complian they are bloated, but 20% overhead is just fine?

Then, similar to how I could make a list of things I feel the federal government shouldnt be involved in, therefore un needed overhead, why dont you make for us a list of things Cigna can get rid of in their overhead.

I wont hold my breath.

 

[imported_gardener]

Originally posted by: Patranus

Originally posted by: Lothar
Plan: BCBS Medical PPO (covers both Medical and Prescription drugs)
Coverage: Employee Only.
Employer annual cost: $2,287.44
Employee annual cost: $948.60

What can be inferred from this during the healthcare debate?
Is that too expensive/costly, or is that too cheap?

Do you know the "true" cost of yours?

No, my mommy and daddy pay for my insurance.

My wife and I have a policy through her employer, total costs around $8,000/year, we pay 1/3 of the cost. We have no health problems, ages 47 and 52.

Employer based insurance is a fail, its makes American businesses uncompetitive.

I'm a contractor, buying my own insurance would cost around $1000/month.

I support a Canadian style health insurance system...single payer, price controls.

 

[TheSkinsFan]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: TheSkinsFan

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity

Originally posted by: TheSkinsFan
Real questions:

How would you feel about losing said coverage as a result of an act of Congress?

If your personal payments stayed the same, roughly $948/yr, would you be willing to switch to Government care? What if your payments went up? What if they went down?

Are you personally satisfied with your coverage and care? If not, why not?

Losing said coverage and getting new coverage in turn vs. what we have now? If I lose my job I lose all my coverage unless I pay outrageous cobra payments.. I'll take the fed option!

Are you willing to give up your current plan even if you still have your job?

I can honestly say yes. I have seen both sides as I have been uninsured over half of my adult life, I have had good plans and bad plans. Long term security means more to me than having a good plan for 5 years.

fair enough. Would you support reform that simply offers you protection against high Cobra costs if it meant you could keep the same insurer and plan? Perhaps something simple that allows you to stick with one insurer through multiple employers, and in multiple States?

Simple yet effective reform FTW.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: spidey07
That's a pretty decent plan, thank goodness you didn't get an HMO. 3200 a year really isn't a lot of money considering what you get out of those premiums. And 948 for you is dirt cheap.

What can be inferred is that you have good health insurance and if you had to get it without your employer it still isn't a lot of money. With employer group plan and their contributions as part of your compensation it's super cheap for what you get.

No, its a decent price. Who knows what that buys him? He could have high deductibles, low limits, etc..

I'm familiar with the BCBS PPO and insurance in general. I have a good idea of what his limits are. Probabaly a 2k OOPM, 80/20 OON, 20 copay for visits, 15 perscription.

It's a pretty good plan.

My wifes practice offers BCBS and her plans #s look different. 80/20 was IN network. The other amounts were higher.

It was such a "decent" plan, we opted not to use it. Better than nothing, but not what I'd consider acceptable/optimal for us.

 

[0marTheZealot]

What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

 

[TheSkinsFan]

Originally posted by: gardener
Employer based insurance is a fail, its makes American businesses uncompetitive.

So how do you feel about the proposed fines and losses of coverage tax breaks that would impact those same businesses in place of their current coverage expenditures, thus essentially nullifying any potential savings?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

And what plan and through whom would that be?

 

[miketheidiot]

i believe my dads plan (under which i am still covered) is about 15k a year, my mothers (under which i am also covered) is about 8k.

I would rather have uhc.

 

[piasabird]

What about Dental and Glasses?

I have had to pay a lot of extra cash for Dental Work. That is fine as long as you dont want to eat. There is something to be said for happy teeth.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

Same here. I'm self employed and have family coverage (wife + 2 children) that's as good as any employer-provided plan I or my wife ever had. Our premiums are negligibly higher than what I paid before I went "out on my own."

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

And what plan and through whom would that be?

Back in 02, the last year I wasnt under a health plan by an employer. I could get a 1K deductible plan for about ~80-100 bucks a month through blue cross blue shield. For that I didnt have copays and I was responsible 100% upto the deductible amount.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

And what plan and through whom would that be?

I don't recall, an insurance broker found a plan that fit my needs. I just now looked at plans for me from anthem.

PPO, 2500 deductable, 8500 OOPM, 80/20, 30 copay, perscription coverage for generic and brand name, mental health. Looks like you could elect to not have mental health coverage and reduce it even more.

Not a great plan, but decent. 90 bucks a month, 38 year old male. There are better plans from the same site and they are all under 150 bucks a month

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

And what plan and through whom would that be?

Back in 02, the last year I wasnt under a health plan by an employer. I could get a 1K deductible plan for about ~80-100 bucks a month through blue cross blue shield. For that I didnt have copays and I was responsible 100% upto the deductible amount.

Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975


Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

The only ones that are really happy are Americans, 80 percent of whom say they are happy with their healthcare and insurance.

-edit-
WOW! Go to anthem and see what kind of plans you can get for 150 bucks. 1000 deductible and that's the OOPM

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

And what plan and through whom would that be?

Back in 02, the last year I wasnt under a health plan by an employer. I could get a 1K deductible plan for about ~80-100 bucks a month through blue cross blue shield. For that I didnt have copays and I was responsible 100% upto the deductible amount.

Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

lol stick to HR fatty.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975


Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

Well no shit sherlock. Now tell me how what the Democrats are planning to do in anyway shape or form reduces the rising cost of medical care in this country?

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Marlin1975


Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

Well no shit sherlock. Now tell me how what the Democrats are planning to do in anyway shape or form reduces the rising cost of medical care in this country?

Are we talking about hc cost or hc quality today?

/flips coin

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Marlin1975


Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

Well no shit sherlock. Now tell me how what the Democrats are planning to do in anyway shape or form reduces the rising cost of medical care in this country?

Ration. Thats their plan.

/chuckle

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: 0marTheZealot
What happens if you lose your job? Then you find out the true cost of healthcare, especially if you have a pre-existing condition. You could be looking at 1000 or more a month in that scenario. When the employer subsidizes your healthcare and you pay for it with pre-tax dollars, it seems pretty acceptable. When you have to pay out of pocket and don't have the bargaining chips a business has, you're fucked.

The current system works if you have an employer that has a decent health plan. It utterly sucks if you don't fall in that group.

I was self employed for a good amount the last 6 years. I had a good plan for 150 bucks a month. When you have had to provide your own insurance you realize your doom and gloom scenario is far from reality.

And what plan and through whom would that be?

Back in 02, the last year I wasnt under a health plan by an employer. I could get a 1K deductible plan for about ~80-100 bucks a month through blue cross blue shield. For that I didnt have copays and I was responsible 100% upto the deductible amount.

Yea and 10 years farther back then that it probable be cheaper. That just proves the point that we have to do something as medical cost are just going through the roof. The only ones that are really happy are drug makers and insruance companies. There is a reason insurance compnaies are spending over a million dollars EVERYDAY to keep things the way they are.

lol stick to HR fatty.

I study health plans, its my job. I also know what happens when insurance companies try and screw people. My SiL was being overcharged more then $3000 and the bills were still coming in.



So why are you looking for jobs? I thought you were rolling and also had millions in investments for your company? Reality check get ya. :laugh:

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: TheSkinsFan
Real questions:

How would you feel about losing said coverage as a result of an act of Congress?

If your personal payments stayed the same, roughly $948/yr, would you be willing to switch to Government care? What if your payments went up? What if they went down?

Are you personally satisfied with your coverage and care? If not, why not?

If my payments stayed the same, what's the incentive for me to switch to the government plan?
If my payments increased under the government plan, why would I switch?
If my payments reduced, it depends on many things...whether my Doc chooses to adopt it or not. My doctor currently doesn't deal with Medicare/Medicaid. What I DO know however, is that I intend to keep my same Doc whether he choses to endorse the public plan in his general practice or not.

I am satisfied with my care.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Mine is a Blue Cross PPO for myself and my son. $500 deduct, $30 copay on Dr, $20 copay on meds. Roughly 15 insured individuals at our school / district.

$747 Medical
$7.50 Vision
$54.55 Dental

$9,708 a year paid by my employer. I'm lucky I even have benefits as I'm not full time, in turn I take a lower salary. IMHO that is far too expensive for a 39 yo male in excellent health, non smoker, not over weight and a healthy 7 yo boy. Even getting a median salary in my state; $800 a month for health insurance would be difficult if not impossible.

The op has cheap coverage and is lucky, btw, how old are you? That has a lot to do with it.

Age has nothing to do with it, and neither does salary. A 74 yr old coworker vs. a 24 yr old like me still pays for the same coverage.
All employees get the same coverage.
Hell, even if you smoke tobacco, all you have to do is sign a piece of paper saying you participated in a tobacco free program and you will still get the same rate as anyone else.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: Pens1566

Originally posted by: spidey07
That's a pretty decent plan, thank goodness you didn't get an HMO. 3200 a year really isn't a lot of money considering what you get out of those premiums. And 948 for you is dirt cheap.

What can be inferred is that you have good health insurance and if you had to get it without your employer it still isn't a lot of money. With employer group plan and their contributions as part of your compensation it's super cheap for what you get.

No, its a decent price. Who knows what that buys him? He could have high deductibles, low limits, etc..

Annual Deductible: $300/person ($600/family...irrelevant in my case)
In-Network Annual Out of Pocket Limits: $2,000/person ($4,000/family...again irrelevant)
Out-of-Network Annual Out of Pocket Limits: $4,000/person ($8,000/family...again irrelevant)
Lifetime Maximum Benefit: $1.5 million per person.

$5 copay on generics, $20 copay on brand medications.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Originally posted by: her209
$948.60 / 26 = $36.48

Pretty standard cost for a PPO plan. You didn't mention if this was a high/low PPO plan.

What do you mean by a high/low PPO plan?