Medical Insurance Sucks
I have noticed an up tick recently in the number of my friends who are having medically necessary treatments or procedures declined for payment by insurance companies. It seams like the insurance companies are trying to save as much money now as they can before the new laws take affect.
Personally, I have begun asking my doctors office if they take my insurance, and how much or what percentage is covered for each service the doctors office provides. I am doing this, because the doctor might see me, or order tests with out thinking about my insurance coverage, and then I might end up in collections because I can’t pay the bill. Apparently, it’s up to me to be pro active if I want to stay out of medical bill debt.
Personally, I would have liked the health care bill to require the medical profession to make the costs the same for any test, procedure or treatment no matter where it takes place. If a CAT scan is ordered on my shoulder, the price should be the same all across the country. If a specific blood test is ordered by my doctor, the cost should be the same in a hospital or in a local private clinic. If I have 12 visits for my physical therapy for my broken leg, the cost should be the same no matter where I go for therapy.
I realize, that some people would call my idea the beginning of socialized medicine, and that others would argue that you should be able to go to the most expensive place you want if it means getting better care, but the system we have now is just not working. Many of the doctors we see also own a piece of the labs or therapy clinics we go to, so not only are they making money from our office visits, they are making money on the tests they order as well. If you’re a doctor, how cool is that.
If you have an opinion, tell us about it, let others know how you think, share your feelings. If you want to let your government officials know how you feel, then send them a letter through www.directcomplaint.com.
Medical expences
It would really be helpful, if hospitals and doctors offices new more about the insurance plans they presently accept, instead of worrying about insurance reform in the future.
When I go to see a doctor, they always ask me what insurance do I have, and does it need to be updated? I tell them my plan, and as long as they accept that companies insurance, they let me see the doctor. I am beginning to think that the update is not to be sure my insurance is still valid, but rather it is to make sure they have the most up to date address and phone number to track me down when the insurance is rejected because I did not have a referral from my PCP, or because I have not yet met my deductable, or even better, because that doctor or facility is out of plan coverage. Wouldn’t it be nice if these places told us about these things before they welcome us into the doctors examining room. At least then, we could refuse treatments and examinations in advance, and who knows, doctors and hospitals just might reduce their fees if patients stopped coming in the doors. Am I asking too much? Oh ya, I forgot, this would mean less work for the collection agencies, my credit score would not go down, and that would mean more layoffs. Whose money is it anyway?
