healthcare reform is coming
- Thread starter Cutehumor
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I personally wouldn't mind HDHP. To me I would rather have an overall low cost that cover a worst case scenario that I couldn't afford, like a 200k brain surgery, than having to pay 200k over 10 years just because I want to save $150k on pregnancy massage, Viagra, transgender operation, or name brand drugs without generic that doesn't do any better than a generic drug alternatives. I've done the same on car and home insurance, and if government can take care of the HDHP without messing with the low cost out of your pocket health care, I think I can live with that.
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Quote:
Right now, in the US, save for a few folks, I can say that ALL healthcare is socialism.
I agree. It's socialized medicine for the financial benefit of medical providers. Right now the society can afford the "blank check" to provide unthrottled care at the rates currently charged.
If one wants to have free market medicine, one has to eliminate all modalities that physicians get paid other than cash.
What I'm sure you'll find is that the biggest opposition to "free market" medicine will be medical providers. They have their union...(cough-cough) ..professional association expectations of entitlement too.
Right now, in the US, save for a few folks, I can say that ALL healthcare is socialism.
I agree. It's socialized medicine for the financial benefit of medical providers. Right now the society can afford the "blank check" to provide unthrottled care at the rates currently charged.
If one wants to have free market medicine, one has to eliminate all modalities that physicians get paid other than cash.
What I'm sure you'll find is that the biggest opposition to "free market" medicine will be medical providers. They have their union...(cough-cough) ..professional association expectations of entitlement too.
I have my own business and currently pay $300/month to enroll myself, my wife with health issues, my son with asthma, and my son with autism in a 5000/10000 deductible HDHP.
I am saving a fortune on monthly insurance fees versus a traditional plan, some of which is set aside for future bills.
I have a HSA which I am contributing the max amount into and not using while I am in my current fairly high income situation. I get at least 25% of this contribution back in tax savings. This money is available for any future expense regardless of my future insurance situation. Any earnings on this money is tax free.
We pay the full cost of our doctor visits, perscriptions, etc. until the deductible is met and then insurance pays 100%. We do get discounts from our in network providers (basically all our medical care at this point) which can be huge. For example, $450 lab fees bill cut down to $45. The discounts are a major major benefit.
With tax savings and discounts figured into the equation, our insurance coverage is costing us very little and it is there for unforseen major medical problems.
All in all I would have to say that I am very happy with the HDHP as it applies to our situation. This is one case where past savings can open up opportunities that snowball into even greater future savings.
I am saving a fortune on monthly insurance fees versus a traditional plan, some of which is set aside for future bills.
I have a HSA which I am contributing the max amount into and not using while I am in my current fairly high income situation. I get at least 25% of this contribution back in tax savings. This money is available for any future expense regardless of my future insurance situation. Any earnings on this money is tax free.
We pay the full cost of our doctor visits, perscriptions, etc. until the deductible is met and then insurance pays 100%. We do get discounts from our in network providers (basically all our medical care at this point) which can be huge. For example, $450 lab fees bill cut down to $45. The discounts are a major major benefit.
With tax savings and discounts figured into the equation, our insurance coverage is costing us very little and it is there for unforseen major medical problems.
All in all I would have to say that I am very happy with the HDHP as it applies to our situation. This is one case where past savings can open up opportunities that snowball into even greater future savings.
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Diesel Clatter: I'm glad that you're able to manage the medical challenges you're confronted with in such a manner. There's no "easy" to your situation regardless of costs. Best of luck in outcomes for all concerned.
..but if everyone adopted such a policy, I think you would soon find that there would be a "leveling off" ..or neutralization of advantage. The community will not be denied absolute net value out of their collective output. You would find less provided for the out of pocket money ..and higher deductibles ..at least eventually as more and more adopted the funding method.
It's like most things. Some can take advantage of it with a market in flux ..but everyone can't take advantage of it ..and have it be an advantage.
..but if everyone adopted such a policy, I think you would soon find that there would be a "leveling off" ..or neutralization of advantage. The community will not be denied absolute net value out of their collective output. You would find less provided for the out of pocket money ..and higher deductibles ..at least eventually as more and more adopted the funding method.
It's like most things. Some can take advantage of it with a market in flux ..but everyone can't take advantage of it ..and have it be an advantage.
Originally Posted By: Torino
If you think health care is expensive now---just wait until it is free. John--Las Vegas.
+1
If you think health care is expensive now---just wait until it is free. John--Las Vegas.
+1
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All the more reason to do everything you can to reign in the sharks ...to prevent your worst nightmares.
Why is this always the last thing that occurs to people most aware of the potential worse outcome??
If you have a "you can't fight city hall" type mentality of futility, then don't whine when the predictable outcome arrives. You watched it evolve with full endorsement of the mechanism that forced the (apparent) remedy.
I've found that this disposition is usually due to some unique or niche position that is currently exempt or privileged NOW ..but will suffer later under the future evolution. The typical reaction is not to alter the sitution to a more rational one, but to milk the temporary sanctuary while it lasts.
Why is this always the last thing that occurs to people most aware of the potential worse outcome??
If you have a "you can't fight city hall" type mentality of futility, then don't whine when the predictable outcome arrives. You watched it evolve with full endorsement of the mechanism that forced the (apparent) remedy.
I've found that this disposition is usually due to some unique or niche position that is currently exempt or privileged NOW ..but will suffer later under the future evolution. The typical reaction is not to alter the sitution to a more rational one, but to milk the temporary sanctuary while it lasts.
Gary Allan, so you're saying if the US tripled the number of doctors they could all charge the same and make a living??? There would be zero that would cut their rates to increase sales??
That's freshman economics. Some of them would have to charge lower rates or they would not be able to pay their bills.
That's freshman economics. Some of them would have to charge lower rates or they would not be able to pay their bills.
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History proves your 101 economics wrong. Doctors do make less than in ..something like the 80's ..specialists anyway, but the number of facilities and doctors in a given area has never had a supply demand effect. It just made more or less procedures being done.
It's a "we're lowering the river" with something like medicare (lowering the level of compensation per approved charge) "..but we're raising the bridge" (in getting more procedures approved under medicare and doing more of them).
It's like water..it's going to find a way in. They bring it a whole new door.
Right now demographics would dictate a sky high upramp in costs since demand is probably going to go straight up, but that totally throws out the market at decades past where medicine had no reason to advance in costs at the rate that it did. It obviously did ..just because it could.
It's a "we're lowering the river" with something like medicare (lowering the level of compensation per approved charge) "..but we're raising the bridge" (in getting more procedures approved under medicare and doing more of them).
It's like water..it's going to find a way in. They bring it a whole new door.
Right now demographics would dictate a sky high upramp in costs since demand is probably going to go straight up, but that totally throws out the market at decades past where medicine had no reason to advance in costs at the rate that it did. It obviously did ..just because it could.
Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Gary Allan, so you're saying if the US tripled the number of doctors they could all charge the same and make a living??? There would be zero that would cut their rates to increase sales??
That's freshman economics. Some of them would have to charge lower rates or they would not be able to pay their bills.
when they are desperate, they take medicare and medicaid.
Gary Allan, so you're saying if the US tripled the number of doctors they could all charge the same and make a living??? There would be zero that would cut their rates to increase sales??
That's freshman economics. Some of them would have to charge lower rates or they would not be able to pay their bills.
when they are desperate, they take medicare and medicaid.
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(on the back 9 at the local country club)
How's your P
ratio, Doug?
P ratio? What's that, Chad?
Private to public throughput.
Oh, I'm doing about 70:30
Not bad, but watch it. You do realize that for every small "p" you have in your practice, it delays your Palladium card by an estimated 3 months.
I didn't realize. What can I do?
Don't feel bad. Not all of us can have 100:0. You coming to the party on my houseboat this weekend? (whack!! and nearly scores a hole in one)
Can't make it. I'm moonlighting at the E.R.
(whack!! as he watches the ball careen off into the rough)
It just proves that the competitive spirit knows no bounds...
How's your P
ratio, Doug?P
ratio? What's that, Chad?Private to public throughput.
Oh, I'm doing about 70:30
Not bad, but watch it. You do realize that for every small "p" you have in your practice, it delays your Palladium card by an estimated 3 months.
I didn't realize. What can I do?
Don't feel bad. Not all of us can have 100:0. You coming to the party on my houseboat this weekend? (whack!! and nearly scores a hole in one)
Can't make it. I'm moonlighting at the E.R.
It just proves that the competitive spirit knows no bounds...
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