No cost for preventive care????

[leahjade]

Our insurance has had "free" preventitive care for years. Honestly I would prefer to pay out of pocket for shots and such so our premium wouldnt go up every year.... There is no such things as "FREE" insurance, thats where people are highly mistaken. Someone has to pay for it. Just my two cents.

So true, the more "free stuff" we think we're getting the more our co-pays and premiums have gone up. Duh, if only people would (or could) do the math!

 

[HM]

I never looked at this care as free, I'm already paying health insurance premiums....the cost is covered in those fees.

 

[Southernmiss]

I never looked at this care as free, I'm already paying health insurance premiums....the cost is covered in those fees.

+1 might I add very high premiums for minimal family coverage

 

[mhsjax]

deleted.

 

[MrsDoubtfire]

Our health insurance is based on a "3 tier" system, and the umbrella company is Harvard Pilgrim. When I took my DS11 for his yearly appt. in June, at first the receptionist said "no co-pay" as this is a well visit, then looked into the computer and said, "Oh wait a minute, there is still a co-pay with your insurance". Nice - so I still had to fork over a $35 co-pay for my son's physical - last year the co-pay was $25, so it even went up. It burns me to think that many other companies are allowing for a "free" well visit once a year, and the insurance company that my employer offers does not... and I work for a hospital! Obama-care or whatever is not helping me.

I know my employer kicks in $ for my family plan health insurance, however I also pay $100 a week for it, plus co-pays for every visit, every med, etc. Last week I had to pick up a med for my DD13's eczema. The gal at the counter says, " Do you know that this medication is over $500?" I said no, not until you just informed me. My co-pay for that tube of salve was $40 - and honestly I was happy to pay that rather than the $500. One would think there is gold in that salve.....NOT!

 

[disneysteve]

One thing that many patients don't realize that greatly complicates this whole discussion is that if the doctor finds and treats anything during the visit or if the patient complains about anything during the visit, it ceases to be a well-visit. For example, if you come for an "annual physical" and your blood pressure is high or during the exam, you ask the doctor to take a look at a spot on your back, that is no longer just a "well-visit" and you probably need to pay your co-pay.

Another problem is that many of these types of rules and policies make it much harder on the doctors' offices. Many offices collect co-pays upon arrival, not at the end of the visit. If certain types of visits don't have a co-pay, collecting first is a problem. However, collecting after the fact is a bigger problem because only then will patients mention that they forgot their wallet or checkbook and ask to be billed for the service you've already provided. It leaves the doctors on the hook for a lot of free care.

 

[Eastern]

It leaves the doctors on the hook for a lot of free care.

If you've got an MD degree, you really didn't earn that. Somebody else made that happen.

Therefore, you should give free care. No one should have to pay you, because free is always better.

It's free!

jeeze, why doesn't every one like free? It's the way to go. fo sho.

 

[descovy]

I tell you what... I'm a pretty healthy person and rarely get as much as a cold. I hadn't seen a doctor since my youngest was born 7 years ago. In fact the only time in my adult life I've been under a doctors care is for pregnancy.

Last year I was able to get a free preventative check up. I felt kinda silly going to the dr when nothing is wrong.

From that visit I got a tetnus shot (joy!) and blood drawn. Found out I had high chloresterol. I had no idea and never suspected otherwise. The good news is knowledge is power. Rather than popping a Lipitor right away and staying on medicine for the next 40 years, I have a chance to watch my diet. I thought I had a healthy diet. I'm not overweight and I like veggies. Unfortunately I like red meat and cheese too!!

That "free" appointment can keep me from being on a forever medication. I save money. My insurance company saves money. It really is a win win.

 

[mks18412]

If you've got an MD degree, you really didn't earn that. Somebody else made that happen.

Therefore, you should give free care. No one should have to pay you, because free is always better.

It's free!

jeeze, why doesn't every one like free? It's the way to go. fo sho.

Yes, just like I did not give birth to my kids. The drs who delivered them did... Along with the folks who prepped the operating room, nurses, cafeteria workers, janitors who cleaned the or and list could go on and on.... I just wish they could of helped with the bill.

I guess I cant say I cooked dinner then.... The cashier at Publix helped along with the delivery driver and the factory workers.

If only is was that way!

 

[mks18412]

I tell you what... I'm a pretty healthy person and rarely get as much as a cold. I hadn't seen a doctor since my youngest was born 7 years ago. In fact the only time in my adult life I've been under a doctors care is for pregnancy.

Last year I was able to get a free preventative check up. I felt kinda silly going to the dr when nothing is wrong.

From that visit I got a tetnus shot (joy!) and blood drawn. Found out I had high chloresterol. I had no idea and never suspected otherwise. The good news is knowledge is power. Rather than popping a Lipitor right away and staying on medicine for the next 40 years, I have a chance to watch my diet. I thought I had a healthy diet. I'm not overweight and I like veggies. Unfortunately I like red meat and cheese too!!

That "free" appointment can keep me from being on a forever medication. I save money. My insurance company saves money. It really is a win win.

Its NOT "FREE"!!! Who do you think pays for this???

 

[descovy]

Its NOT "FREE"!!! Who do you think pays for this???

Okay it's not FREEE!!!!! It is a benefit in my insurance plan.

It's a damn smart benefit. It doesn't just benefit me. It benefits my insurance company. Can you see how they saved money in this situation? I have a chance to alter my diet and lower my chloresterol. They and me don't pay for Lipitor for the next 49 years. I don't get a heart attack and stay in the hospital, etc etc. I got a tetnus shot (something I wasn't even expecting). You never know when I will step on a rusty nail. I hadn't even given my immunization record a second thought since 1992. Pretty smart of them to catch me in the doctors office dontcha think?

If thinking of it as free bothers you so greatly. Think of it as an investment. Think of it as a money saver. So the insurance company spends a little now on me to have my blood drawn and immunize me. But think of how much they (and I!) saved!!!! I would have never made that appointment if I had to pay out of pocket (notice I didn't say free there!). I considered myself extremely healthy. As I say even at no money out of pocket it felt silly going to a dr when nothing is wrong.

I think preventive care is a wise use of resources. Forget free, not free, blah blah blah. It saves money and resources period to prevent disease. Treating disease is where it gets expensive.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

For all of those getting "free" medical services, you're welcome. Grab some free contraceptives while you're at it. Please be sure to send me and all the other hardworking taxpayers a thank you card.

 

[SaraJayne]

DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A DEBATE ABOUT HEALTHCARE REFORM. I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT AND I WILL ASK THE MODS TO CLOSE IF IT DOES!

Is this policy of health care reform now in effect everywhere or is it just my doctors practice?

Just found out when I went for a sick visit yesterday that all preventive care is now covered 100%. Including no copay. That apparently includes a yearly GYN visit as well as yearly physical from my internist (at least for us and our insurance) That means physical, lab work, vaccines, preventive testing, etc is all covered 100%. My doctor said that its great because they are getting an influx of patients who have not been coming in for yearly visits because of cost.

For some reason i thought that didn't go into effect until 2014. But I might be getting confused (especially since I'm just so focused on the fact that in 2014 I will be able to get my own insurance) I was curious if anyone else has experienced this recently or if it's just our medical group.

Whatever the reason, SO HAPPY! With almost $22,000 in medical bills every year (about $7,000 of that being copays), and me needing more surgery this year and probably starting xolair treatment, every little bit helps!!!

So you start a political thread about healthcare and forbid anyone from disagreeing with you?

As has already been pointed out numerous times, those services aren't free. It may not be you, but someone pays for them.

 

[mieuxmew]

One thing that many patients don't realize that greatly complicates this whole discussion is that if the doctor finds and treats anything during the visit or if the patient complains about anything during the visit, it ceases to be a well-visit. For example, if you come for an "annual physical" and your blood pressure is high or during the exam, you ask the doctor to take a look at a spot on your back, that is no longer just a "well-visit" and you probably need to pay your co-pay.

Another problem is that many of these types of rules and policies make it much harder on the doctors' offices. Many offices collect co-pays upon arrival, not at the end of the visit. If certain types of visits don't have a co-pay, collecting first is a problem. However, collecting after the fact is a bigger problem because only then will patients mention that they forgot their wallet or checkbook and ask to be billed for the service you've already provided. It leaves the doctors on the hook for a lot of free care.

Everyone should be aware of this. If you are scheduled for a well person visit and also have a problem you ask the doctor to evaluate and/or treat you may be responsible for your copay. It has been a problem as the patient may get a bill later for their copay, as the patients insurance company requires it.

The insurance companies are very strict and require doctors to collect copays. It is considered insurance fraud for a doctor to not collect a copay!

 

[Acklander]

For all of those getting "free" medical services, you're welcome. Grab some free contraceptives while you're at it. Please be sure to send me and all the other hardworking taxpayers a thank you card.

Huh??? The OP pays for insurance just like you do. Why does she need to send you a thank you card? Do you send her and all the taxpayers a thank you caed whenever you use your insurance?

 

[jakenjess]

Okay it's not FREEE!!!!! It is a benefit in my insurance plan.

It's a damn smart benefit. It doesn't just benefit me. It benefits my insurance company. Can you see how they saved money in this situation? I have a chance to alter my diet and lower my chloresterol. They and me don't pay for Lipitor for the next 49 years. I don't get a heart attack and stay in the hospital, etc etc. I got a tetnus shot (something I wasn't even expecting). You never know when I will step on a rusty nail. I hadn't even given my immunization record a second thought since 1992. Pretty smart of them to catch me in the doctors office dontcha think?

If thinking of it as free bothers you so greatly. Think of it as an investment. Think of it as a money saver. So the insurance company spends a little now on me to have my blood drawn and immunize me. But think of how much they (and I!) saved!!!! I would have never made that appointment if I had to pay out of pocket (notice I didn't say free there!). I considered myself extremely healthy. As I say even at no money out of pocket it felt silly going to a dr when nothing is wrong.

I think preventive care is a wise use of resources. Forget free, not free, blah blah blah. It saves money and resources period to prevent disease. Treating disease is where it gets expensive.

Yes this!! It is SO much less expensive for people to get preventative care than wait until they need to go to the ER and what could have been an easily controllable health issue is now a crisis. It's not free; it's a moneysaver all the way around -- and a lifesaver.

 

[Nomad70]

Our insurance has had "free" preventitive care for years. Honestly I would prefer to pay out of pocket for shots and such so our premium wouldnt go up every year.... There is no such things as "FREE" insurance, thats where people are highly mistaken. Someone has to pay for it. Just my two cents.

Unless you have Tricare Prime (military). we have not had co-pays for several years now for anything, and in 20 years I have paid exactly $9 and that was for two meals I was mistakenly charged while in the hospital after giving birth to our first child ('96). Actually, you are right though, someone has to pay for it, and that would be my husband, who definitely works for it, we just don't see it monetarily. Many have had to fight insurance companies from time to time, and Tricare is no exception, but for us, it has covered a half dozen major surgeries for me and my kids and major medical procedures for my husband who was Med Evaced back from Afghanistan last year. I have no complaints except how this is not a good thing and something everyone should have access to.

As for the OP, that is great your well visits are now fully covered!!

 

[j's m]

Everyone should be aware of this. If you are scheduled for a well person visit and also have a problem you ask the doctor to evaluate and/or treat you may be responsible for your copay. It has been a problem as the patient may get a bill later for their copay, as the patients insurance company requires it.

The insurance companies are very strict and require doctors to collect copays. It is considered insurance fraud for a doctor to not collect a copay!

This happened to us last year with DS, I wrote the check for co-pay, they gave it back and then billed me later since the Dr. mentioned his acne and and one other thing.

This year I needed to make an appt before he left for college and they told me he could not have a well care appt since it's not a year. I explained last year was not well care so it was ok. The office still would not agree, so I said make it a sick visit, no, if it was a sick visit I could only do sick, not well.

She finally agreed to call it a consult and made the appt. The day before the appt I was called and told I might have to pay the whole cost of the visit since it couldn't be well care. They did ask for a co-pay. I'm now waiting for the EOB.

 

[Nina1]

I'm going to bookmark this thread and when people vent about the cost of their health insurance premiums going through the roof, I'm just going to link them to this. It pretty much explains it all.

Now, if I could only get my auto insurance to pay for oil changes and new tires...

Agreed. Or, when they realize they will receive better medical care from the vet down the street. Too bad people can't ever realize how blessed they are until it's too late. Or, are they just too stupid to realize that nothing in life is free. Free healthcare? Really??? Additionally, if it's so great, why isn't Congress and their families jumping on board? Hmmm...anyone want to try to figure that out? What was once the best health care system in the world is about to become a horrifying mess resembling the documented socialized medicine failures of Europe and Canada. Wake up, people. You have just become a cradle to grave government slave.

 

[Nina1]

For all of those getting "free" medical services, you're welcome. Grab some free contraceptives while you're at it. Please be sure to send me and all the other hardworking taxpayers a thank you card.

Amen, OhioDisneyDad.