Medical Insurance

[clifffaith]

Once again they've raised my insurance for the year that begins April 1st. Up almost 25%, from $1015 to $1266. Two more years to Medicare age, can't come soon enough! At least they are paying my back/pain doctor regularly where he was having to fight for every penny. For some reason they are paying me instead of him and I've seen about $30K in checks come across my desk in the last 3 months.

 

[rapmarks]

Never thought you’d be happy to get old

 

[bbodb1]

Never thought you’d be happy to get old

I am certain it beats the alternative!

 

[bluehende]

Never thought you’d be happy to get old

The advantages are few, but medicare and a few bucks in discounts seem to be the extent.

 

[rapmarks]

The advantages are few, but medicare and a few bucks in discounts seem to be the extent.

At age 62 I started cola on my pension, at 65 I got on Medicare. Except for grandkids, nothing good happened after that.

 

[Talent312]

Heard or read somewhere:
When you're young, you look forward to a job and career.
When you're working, you look forward to retirement.
When you're retired, you look forward to doctor visits.
.

 

[PigsDad]

Once again they've raised my insurance for the year that begins April 1st. Up almost 25%, from $1015 to $1266. Two more years to Medicare age, can't come soon enough! At least they are paying my back/pain doctor regularly where he was having to fight for every penny. For some reason they are paying me instead of him and I've seen about $30K in checks come across my desk in the last 3 months.

Sounds like you are getting more in benefits than the premiums you are paying, even with the rate increase. If I were in that situation, I would be doing the happy dance knowing how much insurance is saving me, not complaining...

Kurt

 

[VacationForever]

Last year was an expensive year for my health insurer with various labs/procedures/tests that I had. They paid more than what they collected from my premiums. I dropped the "metal" level from Gold to Silver this year to save about $200 per month. I will see how this year go as I am hoping it will be a fairly low treatment/visit year. As long as I am healthy I will stay on Silver until I become eligible for Medicare.

 

[am1]

Sounds like you are getting more in benefits than the premiums you are paying, even with the rate increase. If I were in that situation, I would be doing the happy dance knowing how much insurance is saving me, not complaining...

Kurt

My thoughts exactly. What about all the people paying higher premiums that have not filed a claim? Insurance premiums should be based off individuals and not the same across the board.

 

[Brett]

My thoughts exactly. What about all the people paying higher premiums that have not filed a claim? Insurance premiums should be based off individuals and not the same across the board.

if health insurance were based solely on an individual's medical history then many would get dropped or not even allowed to get health insurance. But I suppose that's your point, eliminate the sick from the "pool" and that would create much lower insurance rates for the healthy (assuming they stay healthy)

 

[WinniWoman]

My thoughts exactly. What about all the people paying higher premiums that have not filed a claim? Insurance premiums should be based off individuals and not the same across the board.

Math is not my strong point- and that is an understatement- but actuarialy this would never work.

 

[am1]

if health insurance were based solely on an individual's medical history then many would get dropped or not even allowed to get health insurance. But I suppose that's your point, eliminate the sick from the "pool" and that would create much lower insurance rates for the healthy (assuming they stay healthy)

Possibly a credit score system but for health. Encourage people to be healthy and not take unexpected risks. Some things are unforeseen but healthy people may not be able to afford health insurance because the premiums are so high to cover others.

It's crazy to think someone who has recieved thousands of dollars in checks from their insurance is complaining about a price increase.

 

[Brett]

Possibly a credit score system but for health. Encourage people to be healthy and not take unexpected risks. Some things are unforeseen but healthy people may not be able to afford health insurance because the premiums are so high to cover others.

It's crazy to think someone who has recieved thousands of dollars in checks from their insurance is complaining about a price increase.

credit scoring for medicare. I'm guessing you are young and healthy !

 

[WinniWoman]

credit scoring for medicare. I'm guessing you are young and healthy !

Really- what happens to older people or people of any age who have health issues- you just leave them to die? I mean- come on!

I don't care how healthy you are- your time will come. People only have so much control over their health. Something eventually happens to them. I can attest to that right now myself with my leg issue that popped up out of nowhere. I- a person who exercises everyday and has strong legs. And this is a minor issue compared to what many people have to go through.

Insurance premiums are outrageous. Even the Medicare ones. Something has to change.

I guess people with unlimited money don't feel the same way or care about it.

 

[bluehende]

yes insurance would be very cheap if they did not have any people that need care.

Also I do not think you can blame a person for complaining about a price increase because this year he made out. You have no idea how much his insurance company made over his lifetime.

Since I have never had one of those hugely expensive problems my guess is my insurance company has made money on me. Personally I am very glad that I have not taken my insurance company to the cleaners with a lot more usage and will be thrilled to lose money on all my insurances until I no longer need them.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Once again they've raised my insurance for the year that begins April 1st. Up almost 25%, from $1015 to $1266. Two more years to Medicare age, can't come soon enough! At least they are paying my back/pain doctor regularly where he was having to fight for every penny. For some reason they are paying me instead of him and I've seen about $30K in checks come across my desk in the last 3 months.

Side Note: I would deposit the checks and pay using a CC with good points redemption if you aren't doing that already. I did that when I built my house. Earned enough CC miles for several round trip airline tickets.

 

[clifffaith]

Side Note: I would deposit the checks and pay using a CC with good points redemption if you aren't doing that already. I did that when I built my house. Earned enough CC miles for several round trip airline tickets.

Something happened in the Blue Cross system last year because payment always went directly to doctor in the past. When office visit checks started coming directly to me I deposited them and then used my credit card when my statement arrived. But when a $15K check arrived I really didn't want that in my check book, so I asked at the office and they said to just sign the back and drop it off next time I was that direction. More than happy to get cc points with more "reasonable" amounts!

 

[geekette]

Once again they've raised my insurance for the year that begins April 1st. Up almost 25%, from $1015 to $1266. Two more years to Medicare age, can't come soon enough! At least they are paying my back/pain doctor regularly where he was having to fight for every penny. For some reason they are paying me instead of him and I've seen about $30K in checks come across my desk in the last 3 months.

that is Monthly rate? yipes, I should be happy for my $700 policy.

 

[bluehende]

that is Monthly rate? yipes, I should be happy for my $700 policy.

Absolutely. I just received a statement giving the value the company puts to our health care for 2. With the company and our contribution our total cost would be about 30k a year. Ouch We even have fairly large deductibles too.

 

[Wyominguy]

I am on Medicare and still have to pay over $10,000/year for supplemental insurance that Medicare does not cover plus the $3200/year Medicare payment they take out of Social Security. It is not a free ride.

 

[clifffaith]

Absolutely. I just received a statement giving the value the company puts to our health care for 2. With the company and our contribution our total cost would be about 30k a year. Ouch We even have fairly large deductibles too.

I have a $5,000 deductible, but I don't pay the first $5,000, if that makes sense. I pay a discounted amount until I hit the $5,000. Lots of smoke and mirrors. My back/pain doctor had to get a third party involved to finally get his bills paid, whether by "threats" or by figuring out the proper way to code things. He definitely got more compensation this year and I no longer get denials of coverage every time I get an epidural. I think he basically worked for free in 2017, other than office visits.

 

[VacationForever]

I am on Medicare and still have to pay over $10,000/year for supplemental insurance that Medicare does not cover plus the $3200/year Medicare payment they take out of Social Security. It is not a free ride.

Which Medicare Supplement are you on that costs $833 per month? Did the Supplement insurer move you up to Tier 3 based on medical condition(s) which increases premium?

 

[Wyominguy]

Which Medicare Supplement are you on that costs $833 per month? Did the Supplement insurer move you up to Tier 3 based on medical condition(s) which increases premium?

This is a supplement plan through my state retirement system. I should mention that all the expenses I mentioned above is for both my wife and I.

 

[geekette]

I have a $5,000 deductible, but I don't pay the first $5,000, if that makes sense. I pay a discounted amount until I hit the $5,000. Lots of smoke and mirrors. My back/pain doctor had to get a third party involved to finally get his bills paid, whether by "threats" or by figuring out the proper way to code things. He definitely got more compensation this year and I no longer get denials of coverage every time I get an epidural. I think he basically worked for free in 2017, other than office visits.

Not smoke and mirrors, this is how insurance works. There is a negotiated rate that the insurer and in-network providers agree to.

If the provider was having trouble getting paid, could be lack of pre-cert that insurer requires, or, as you mention, incomplete or inaccurate coding. Perhaps he had to prove medical necessity. Definitely, insurance is complicated. I thank my lucky stars that claims are filed by provider electronically these days, I do not miss paper claim forms that were responsibility of patient.

 

[bogey21]

I am on Medicare and still have to pay over $10,000/year for supplemental insurance that Medicare does not cover plus the $3200/year Medicare payment they take out of Social Security. It is not a free ride.

I second that Medicare is no free ride. I am single, in excellent health and still paid a total of $6,462.72 last year for my share of Medicare Part B, Medicare Part D and my Medicare Plan F High Deductible Supplement. Dividing that by 12 tells me I am paying $538.56 per month for my Medicare coverage.