how I hate insurance

[Southernmiss]

https://www.opatoday.com/how-your-pharmacist-helps/home
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada...efill_prescriptions_prescribe_some_drugs.html

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-...ribe-medication-for-common-ailments-1.4384569

This is not different from what US pharmacists are being trained to do. And the direction medicine is now heading.

I've got 2 sons in pharmacy school. These are all things the one in year 2 of pharmacy school (2 more years to go) is already learning and doing on campus and at health fairs in town. He gave flu shots, did blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings, and advised the patients in care of their findings last month.

Pharmacists in the US now get doctorate of pharmacy degrees.

The pharmacist at Walgreens gave me a flu shot the last 2 years. This year's pharmacist that gave the shot graduated 25 years ago- not new.

 

[Squirlz]

And all it will take is one serious illness with a hospital stay to get all of the money you paid into the healthcare system back.

Same as it would have when we paid 1/3 of that for better coverage.

 

[Southernmiss]

https://www.investopedia.com/insurance/why-do-healthcare-costs-keep-rising/

 

[MillauFr]

There is no free lunch. Norway's base income tax rate is 38.5%. THAT, IMHO is ridiculous. You wouldn't hit that rate in the U.S. until you have $500,000 in earned income.

Correct. In the US though we are paying for the administration's two martinis in addition to lunch.

 

[MillauFr]

United Healthcare.

You have to pay high premiums so they can pay the CEO $66m per year.

 

[leebee]

Timely topic, as it's now open enrollment for health insurance at my job. I am extremely fortunate that I work for a "large" university system with solid unions. The insurance pool is statewide and the unions oversee changes to our health insurance charges, so it's a pretty good deal. I pay $150 a month for DH and me... the University pays about $600 a month for us. We have copays and deductibles, but they are reasonable (deductible is $2000) and manageable. We can see any doctor we want, and don't need a referral to a specialist for the insurance to cover payments.

I carry our insurance because through DH's work, the costs are prohibitive. OUR share of the premium would be $600 a month, and there is a $13000 deductible annually. That's crazy. We are still paying off DH's knee surgery from almost three years ago (before I had my current job/insurance). Surgery in early Dec. became infected in early January. He spent a week in the hospital, had 3 surgeries in that time, and spent the next 6 weeks flat on his back in a nursing home, hooked up to IV antibiotics 24/7. We are fortunate in that we have a local medical system that is willing to work with us; they are just happy to have someone making regular payments, and as they are a system, all DH's surgeries, surgeons, docs, medications, etc. came through one localized system, so a bunch of bills but we only have to pay the system. I pay them $150 a month and will continue to for a long, long time. I'm not sure what will happen when we retire, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If they'd insisted on being paid outright, or individually for all specialists, etc, we'd have been bankrupted. So tell me again how bad a single-payer system would be...

 

[Kestryl]

We have insurance through my employer, who does not require a spouse or dependent subsidy if they have access to insurance at their job. I pay about 3% of my income towards healthcare; my employer pays about 7%. Not counting co-pays or out of pocket costs.

Also, as far as waiting for doctors- I have a history of skin cancer. I noticed a new mole. Even with my history, the earliest appointment available was a month out, and that was only because of a cancelation. If there wasn’t a cancel, I would have waited three months, and that would have been to see the nurse practitioner and not the doctor (not that it really matters).

 

[mjkacmom]

We have insurance through my employer, who does not require a spouse or dependent subsidy if they have access to insurance at their job. I pay about 3% of my income towards healthcare; my employer pays about 7%. Not counting co-pays or out of pocket costs.

Also, as far as waiting for doctors- I have a history of skin cancer. I noticed a new mole. Even with my history, the earliest appointment available was a month out, and that was only because of a cancelation. If there wasn’t a cancel, I would have waited three months, and that would have been to see the nurse practitioner and not the doctor (not that it really matters).

I think that is normal with dermatologists, ours has a 3 month wait for new patients, 6 weeks for current patients. Our GP will see us the same day.

 

[mjkacmom]

And on the flip side of that:

There is a married couple who works at my company. Each of them is a full time benefits-eligible employee. One of them is enrolled in a family plan which covers both of them, and the other is declining the health insurance that they would otherwise be eligible for, thus saving the company a significant amount of money. In a perfect world the company would offer some sort of additional compensation to employees that choose decline health insurance, but they don’t.

And like you, every year we have to prove everyone on our family plan is actually eligible to be covered.

DH’s company would compensate him if he didn’t take the health insurance.

 

[mnrose]

I don't know where you get the notion that people in other countries with single payer systems are receiving some sort of sub-standard care. If the US truly had the "best" system in the world, we would lead the world in low infant mortality statistics, life span, etc. We clearly do NOT. The only place we "lead" is in what we pay. I just spent time in Europe. Not a single person I met said "hey, we want YOUR system...it's so great..." Not one. Not a single one. They look at us in astonishment at what we pay for what we get. Makes no sense whatsoever. But, you all go on believing what ever you want...facts be damned. I find it utterly amazing that people "hate" a single payer system until they hit age 65, then suddenly it becomes an amazing blessing. SMH.

I just did my annual "can I afford health insurance so DH can retire" review, and discovered that for a mere $1500 a month (actually a bit more), I can buy a crappy plan for the 4 of us, that "only" comes with a $6000 per person deductible before it pays for ANYTHING other than an annual physical. Let's do the math on that one...18K in premiums then another 6K per person on tops of that before I see ANY benefit. Bare minimum, assuming only ONE of use has any need for medical care, at least 24K out of pocket. My income taxes would have to raise precipitously before it would be more than that. LOL. In Germany, they pay 7% of their income for health care. No premiums. No co-pays. No hospital bills. I'd make that deal at DOUBLE that all day and all night. That's how bad it is in the US right now. Our system is horrifyingly bad and works best for the insurance companies who make a fortune in executive pay and bonuses.

 

[tvguy]

Correct. In the US though we are paying for the administration's two martinis in addition to lunch.

Or for the fireworks at the local baseball stadium, or now, the naming rights for our minor league baseball team were sold to a local, not for profit, hospital group. Hmmm, maybe they could give away health care instead?

 

[Kestryl]

I think that is normal with dermatologists, ours has a 3 month wait for new patients, 6 weeks for current patients. Our GP will see us the same day.

It is. It’s just frustrating. Slightly off topic, but when people preach about making appointments when you notice a change in a mole, they don’t talk about how bogged down waits are for dermatologists. It’s ridiculous. I looked back at photos to figure out when the spot had first appeared- about a month before I noticed. And then at that point, another month before I could get an appointment. And another week for lab results. Melanoma can spread so quickly.

 

[Southernmiss]

I don't know where you get the notion that people in other countries with single payer systems are receiving some sort of sub-standard care. If the US truly had the "best" system in the world, we would lead the world in low infant mortality statistics, life span, etc. We clearly do NOT. The only place we "lead" is in what we pay. I just spent time in Europe. Not a single person I met said "hey, we want YOUR system...it's so great..." Not one. Not a single one. They look at us in astonishment at what we pay for what we get. Makes no sense whatsoever. But, you all go on believing what ever you want...facts be damned. I find it utterly amazing that people "hate" a single payer system until they hit age 65, then suddenly it becomes an amazing blessing. SMH.

I just did my annual "can I afford health insurance so DH can retire" review, and discovered that for a mere $1500 a month (actually a bit more), I can buy a crappy plan for the 4 of us, that "only" comes with a $6000 per person deductible before it pays for ANYTHING other than an annual physical. Let's do the math on that one...18K in premiums then another 6K per person on tops of that before I see ANY benefit. Bare minimum, assuming only ONE of use has any need for medical care, at least 24K out of pocket. My income taxes would have to raise precipitously before it would be more than that. LOL. In Germany, they pay 7% of their income for health care. No premiums. No co-pays. No hospital bills. I'd make that deal at DOUBLE that all day and all night. That's how bad it is in the US right now. Our system is horrifyingly bad and works best for the insurance companies who make a fortune in executive pay and bonuses.

Absolutely love, love, love. Everyone else be dammed.

 

[Miffy]

my DH starts medicare this month--so hes off Obama care--(hes lucky)

so it just leaves me on it-- so we figured for me the cost should be half of what is was since its just me on it so our insurance broker called to say that its only $17 cheaper then when we were both on it

(my DH took the call) he said its because I don't fit some paramiter

how stupid can this get!!! Im going to get back to the broker cause as far as I think woulndt this count as a life changing event where your supposed to be able to make changes for things like wedding baby kid out of college or too old to be on parents insurance

I am so tired of either getting screwed on taxes or insurance

thanks for letting me vent

@Dznypal--And when you are eligible for Medicare, your policy will be separate from your DH's, because there are no family plans on Medicare. After my DH retires, we are going to be paying 3x the cost for our health insurance as we're paying now through his job. Unless we want to gamble and buy a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan that may end up covering very little.

 

[MillauFr]

Or for the fireworks at the local baseball stadium, or now, the naming rights for our minor league baseball team were sold to a local, not for profit, hospital group. Hmmm, maybe they could give away health care instead?

Or sell health care for a reasonable price. I just don't buy that nonsense that they have to pay the CEO $66m per year in order to attract a quality manager.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Or sell health care for a reasonable price. I just don't buy that nonsense that they have to pay the CEO $66m per year in order to attract a quality manager.

Wow 66 M! For one insurance company! Our regional director of healthcare (CEO) earns $316,000.

 

[RamblingMad]

Or sell health care for a reasonable price. I just don't buy that nonsense that they have to pay the CEO $66m per year in order to attract a quality manager.

The reality is that the board of directors make far more than CEOs. That’s where the power really sits. The C suite answers to them.

Now, I think, we have been hoodwinked with how terrible public services are through misinformation campaigns. Other countries provide public healthcare. There is no good reason why it’s privatized.

I’m amazed how powerful it is to call something socialist. It makes people shake in their boots. And I’m amazed how it impacts poor voters. They vote against their economic interests. It’s pretty astonishing.

Meanwhile, I’m seeing my dividends increase by 20% a year. That’s far more than the common man’s pay rises each year. And they’re the population that’s voting to keep it privatized. Blows my mind.

 

[morgan98]

I don't know where you get the notion that people in other countries with single payer systems are receiving some sort of sub-standard care. If the US truly had the "best" system in the world, we would lead the world in low infant mortality statistics, life span, etc. We clearly do NOT. The only place we "lead" is in what we pay. I just spent time in Europe. Not a single person I met said "hey, we want YOUR system...it's so great..." Not one. Not a single one. They look at us in astonishment at what we pay for what we get. Makes no sense whatsoever. But, you all go on believing what ever you want...facts be damned. I find it utterly amazing that people "hate" a single payer system until they hit age 65, then suddenly it becomes an amazing blessing. SMH.

I just did my annual "can I afford health insurance so DH can retire" review, and discovered that for a mere $1500 a month (actually a bit more), I can buy a crappy plan for the 4 of us, that "only" comes with a $6000 per person deductible before it pays for ANYTHING other than an annual physical. Let's do the math on that one...18K in premiums then another 6K per person on tops of that before I see ANY benefit. Bare minimum, assuming only ONE of use has any need for medical care, at least 24K out of pocket. My income taxes would have to raise precipitously before it would be more than that. LOL. In Germany, they pay 7% of their income for health care. No premiums. No co-pays. No hospital bills. I'd make that deal at DOUBLE that all day and all night. That's how bad it is in the US right now. Our system is horrifyingly bad and works best for the insurance companies who make a fortune in executive pay and bonuses.

I can't like this post enough! Truth is healthcare is really the only reason I am working at my current stressful job. My husband is 60 and has pretty much "early retired" from his career and is now doing some consulting here and there and a part-time hobby job. I am 10 years younger than he is, and am ready to downsize too.

However, we are very financially conservative and with the way premiums, deductibles and co=pays are increasing, it stresses us out and so we keep going. It is like this unknown that is just hanging out there. The healthcare issue seems to keep getting progressively worse, so it is hard to step out and think it will get better until we as a country are ready to make some radical changes.

 

[RamblingMad]

I can't like this post enough! Truth is healthcare is really the only reason I am working at my current stressful job. My husband is 60 and has pretty much "early retired" from his career and is now doing some consulting here and there and a part-time hobby job. I am 10 years younger than he is, and am ready to downsize too.

However, we are very financially conservative and with the way premiums, deductibles and co=pays are increasing, it stresses us out and so we keep going. It is like this unknown that is just hanging out there. The healthcare issue seems to keep getting progressively worse, so it is hard to step out and think it will get better until we as a country are ready to make some radical changes.

It’s why it’s hard to retire young here. So much money goes into healthcare costs.

 

[DopeyDame]

I'd take your Universal health care any day over our good ole USA crummy healthcare.

17 year old daughter got sick the day after Easter and quickly lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks waiting to squeeze into a rheumatologist to get a diagnosis and treatment.

Very scary time as we watched our 'healthy as a horse' child decline so fast as we were told that she couldn't get an appointment until January 2020. She'd have been dead if it wasn't for her pediatrician calling in a favor to a former colleague.

This led to a summer of specialists (heart, lung, optometry, kidney) and the bills that come with it to see how far her disease had progressed. Thankfully, we caught it early. Fortunately, dh and I manage $ well and had the few thousand it required us to pay after insurance out of pocket.

She now has a lifelong disease and the appointments, meds and bills that go along with it.

I now have the fear she can never be without a decent job while taking care of herself as an adult to maintain her health and insurance.

Yea, our system is not working.

This point is *SOOOO* important. I'm like your daughter. I had a congenital issue that resulted in the need for life-long medical care. Before ACA, my DH and I almost started our own business. I think it would have worked and been successful and fun. But we couldn't. Because I 100% absolutely had to have good health insurance, and the only way to get that is through a large employer. I was totally uninsurable on the open market. Even now, with ACA, any career decisions I make are still centered around making sure I can maintain good health insurance that allows me to see the specialists I need to see.

Good luck to your daughter. I hope your her sake, and for mine, that something changes quickly about the US health care system.