THE LIBERAL THREAD #3- No Debate Please

[chrisw127]

I'll play the insurance vent game too.


My daughter's authorized medicine will cost over $60K this year alone and will continue to increase as she grows. Trying to get Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah to pay for a med they authorized is like pulling teeth. Last time the pharmacy was this close to sending us to collections before BCBS paid. Every time BCBS receives a bill it's like they have to start over and it's maddening at best

We received a bill after having our first child for an extra $1,800. Why? Because when they were doing my emergency c-section, I didn't use one of their authorized physicians. Um, yeah. Because that was the first thing on my mind. Tried to fight it, ended up paying it.

 

[chrisw127]

If people in goverment had the kind of health insurance regular ppl do, socialized health care would pass faster than any bailout. I carry our families health care, through my work. What the heck will I do if, God forbid, I were to get sick with something awful and not be able to work? I can easily see how people go bankrupt.

When my youngest was 1 month old he came down with RSV. It was bad, a helicopter ride to children's and a week in NICU and he was good. We received the statement showing how much his total care was, prepare yourself for the number...$84,000 plus $10,000 helicopter ride. If we didn't have insurance we would have been screwed.

Well, you're supposed to put away a year's salary in case of emergencies, right? Because everyone can do that. Not!

 

[crcormier]

Yeeks at all your insurance stories. I have no bad insurance stories and I'm very thankful for that and to have fairly affordable insurance!!!

And Tonya, I love your Darth Vader making a snow trooper siggie!!!

 

[designermv]

I feel very, very lucky to have good health insurance through my job.

Reading the stories and situations you all have posted makes me sad and disgusted with the health care industry.

 

[LuvDuke]

Thanks all for your hugs and well wishes. I'll pass them on to my sister.

 

[Charade]

Well, you're supposed to put away a year's salary in case of emergencies, right? Because everyone can do that. Not!

Why should anyone do that when they can just stick their hand in the other people's pockets?

And it's 3 to 6 months of living expenses (which any financial planner worth their salt will recommend), not an entire years salary. But please explain why that (if you can manage to do it (which I believe a lot of people who say they can't really can do better at it if they adjust their priorities)) is a bad idea? Why has saving for a "rainy day" seemingly been abolished?

 

[mirmartinez]

Why should anyone do that when they can just stick their hand in the other people's pockets?

And it's 3 to 6 months of living expenses (which any financial planner worth their salt will recommend), not an entire years salary. But please explain why that (if you can manage to do it (which I believe a lot of people who say they can't really can do better at it if they adjust their priorities)) is a bad idea? Why has saving for a "rainy day" seemingly been abolished?

It is a great idea, if you can do it.
Many people can not do it.
Not because of poor/neglectful spending habits, but because they are not paid a living wage.

So it has not been the concept of " rainy day" that is being abolished, the middle class is what is being abolished

 

[Slapstick]

I have medical/billing horror stories too but what's the point? The holier then thou haven't experienced them yet and until they do everything is perfect in the USA..

As of this AM it was beyond reprehensible to even consider medical care a right.

In these times it would seem gift certficates for medical services may be just what Santa ordered!

 

[LuvDuke]

Why should anyone do that when they can just stick their hand in the other people's pockets?

And it's 3 to 6 months of living expenses (which any financial planner worth their salt will recommend), not an entire years salary. But please explain why that (if you can manage to do it (which I believe a lot of people who say they can't really can do better at it if they adjust their priorities)) is a bad idea? Why has saving for a "rainy day" seemingly been abolished?

Clean up on page 80.

 

[mirmartinez]

I have medical/billing horror stories too but what's the point? The holier then thou haven't experienced them yet and until they do everything is perfect in the USA..

As of this AM it was beyond reprehensible to even consider medical care a right.

In these times it would seem gift certficates for medical services may be just what Santa ordered!

What a wonderful idea!!!!!!!
My sister does not have insurance this would make a great gift

 

[robinb]

I feel very, very lucky to have good health insurance through my job.

But that's the point. Many of these people thought they had "good health insurance" before they needed it. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield that rentayenta mentions in her post is usually considered the Cadillac of Health Care and she still has to fight with them tooth and nail. Many people who declare bankruptcy due to extra medical bills they could not pay for thought they had "good health insurance" too.

 

[chrisw127]

Why should anyone do that when they can just stick their hand in the other people's pockets?

And it's 3 to 6 months of living expenses (which any financial planner worth their salt will recommend), not an entire years salary. But please explain why that (if you can manage to do it (which I believe a lot of people who say they can't really can do better at it if they adjust their priorities)) is a bad idea? Why has saving for a "rainy day" seemingly been abolished?

Well, if you'll notice, I didn't say that one shouldn't "save for a rainy day." I said not everyone can. Sometimes things happen. Maybe you don't get a raise that matches inflation. Maybe you have a medical emergency that wipes our your savings. Maybe you're just moseying along minding your own business and before you know it, you''ve got a couple of ex-wives to support and BAM there goes your savings. Things happen.

 

[chrisw127]

By the way good liberals, and that one guy, I forgot to wish you all a good morning.

I just dropped the little babies off at pre-school and now I have to clean my house. My crazy war-protesting FIL is coming tomorrow!

 

[Goofyluver]

Why should anyone do that when they can just stick their hand in the other people's pockets?

And it's 3 to 6 months of living expenses (which any financial planner worth their salt will recommend), not an entire years salary. But please explain why that (if you can manage to do it (which I believe a lot of people who say they can't really can do better at it if they adjust their priorities)) is a bad idea? Why has saving for a "rainy day" seemingly been abolished?

How about you start a thread John?

But that's the point. Many of these people thought they had "good health insurance" before they needed it. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield that rentayenta mentions in her post is usually considered the Cadillac of Health Care and she still has to fight with them tooth and nail. Many people who declare bankruptcy due to extra medical bills they could not pay for thought they had "good health insurance" too.

FTR, our insurance company is Blue Cross as well. In speaking with an insurance advocacy company, BCBS is considered #1 for ratio of claims/unpaid claims.


I PAID my premiums. Paid lots of money in order to ensure my DS had coverage. And they still denied us based on his disabilities.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And in other news:

47 days!!!

 

[mirmartinez]

But that's the point. Many of these people thought they had "good health insurance" before they needed it. For instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield that rentayenta mentions in her post is usually considered the Cadillac of Health Care and she still has to fight with them tooth and nail. Many people who declare bankruptcy due to extra medical bills they could not pay for thought they had "good health insurance" too.

That is DH's insurance. He was recently diagnosed with diab.
The insurance as of right now, will not pay for test strips, needles (cannot think of the medical term).
Luckily for us, we can afford the cost of these supplies.

 

[Slapstick]

What a wonderful idea!!!!!!!
My sister does not have insurance this would make a great gift

My daughter is currently uninsured too! Great gift idea. Better then just giving underwear as gifts!

Well, if you'll notice, I didn't say that one shouldn't "save for a rainy day." I said not everyone can. Sometimes things happen. Maybe you don't get a raise that matches inflation. Maybe you have a medical emergency that wipes our your savings. Maybe you're just moseying along minding your own business and before you know it, you''ve got a couple of ex-wives to support and BAM there goes your savings. Things happen.

Ain't that the truth! Though some men get the alimony now a days since the wife makes more then they do.

By the way good liberals, and that one guy, I forgot to wish you all a good morning.

I just dropped the little babies off at pre-school and now I have to clean my house. My crazy war-protesting FIL is coming tomorrow!

Good morning Libs! and one other....

How many days??????

 

[chrisw127]

That is DH's insurance. He was recently diagnosed with diab.
The insurance as of right now, will not pay for test strips, needles (cannot think of the medical term).
Luckily for us, we can afford the cost of these supplies.

That's unbelievable. Something so basic and important. My friend's insurance doesn't pay for hers either--and she has blue cross/blue shield.

Time to start a revolution, people.

 

[Laura]

That is DH's insurance. He was recently diagnosed with diab.
The insurance as of right now, will not pay for test strips, needles (cannot think of the medical term).
Luckily for us, we can afford the cost of these supplies.

My DH is a type 1 diabetic. His strips, syringes, insulin, etc. can really add up. Not to mention additional screenings he needs to do (ophthalmologist, endocrinologist). We're lucky we have good insurance.

 

[robinb]

That is DH's insurance. He was recently diagnosed with diab.
The insurance as of right now, will not pay for test strips, needles (cannot think of the medical term).
Luckily for us, we can afford the cost of these supplies.

This is my DH's insurance too ... I just found out 5 minutes ago that they denied a $78 orthopedic insert for my DD who has a piece of glass embedded in her foot. They don't want to dig the glass out and suggested the insert to take the pressure off the tender spot since she's very athletic. The podiatrist took my CC number so they could charge me if the insurance didn't pay for it and I just got the charge. *sigh*

 

[Chicago526]

Why should anyone do that when they can just stick their hand in the other people's pockets?

And it's 3 to 6 months of living expenses (which any financial planner worth their salt will recommend), not an entire years salary. But please explain why that (if you can manage to do it (which I believe a lot of people who say they can't really can do better at it if they adjust their priorities)) is a bad idea? Why has saving for a "rainy day" seemingly been abolished?

Honestly, when it comes to major medical expenses, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, living expenses vs. salary, it often doesn't matter.

My boss's husband died suddenly over the summer. As of a few weeks ago, she says the medical bills stand at $700,000+. Fortunatly, our company's insurance kicks butt and takes names, she hasn't had to pay more than a few hundred dollars.

But what if my company's insurance was only so-so? What if they only covered 80%? She's have to pay $140,000 in medical bills. Who has that kind of money laying around?

The real victims of health care in this country aren't the poor, who often get coverage through medicade and state/local programs. It isn't those that are lucky enough to truely have good health insurance that pays what their supposed to. It those that have medical insurance, but it's crappy medical insurance, who don't find out how bad it is (and often their companies don't find out, either, that happend at my company about 15 years ago and is why it's such good coverage today) until a catastrophic medical event occurs, and it's too late. Why are people with medical insurance still going bankrupt due to medical bills? It's insane!