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who PAYS for their own HEALTH INSURANCE?? I've been w/o health insurance for about a year now  Been putting off paying for my own, finally gonna just do it & get it over with.
I understand the basic difference between HMO's & PPO's & if I can get a cheaper monthly rate w/ an HMO I'm fine w/ needing a referral for a specialist since I don't have any medical issues right now anyway - so in that way an HMO trumps a PPO... BUT when I look @ plans online, they (the insurance brokers) seem to be pushing PPO's  Why?
I also feel like I NEED a deductable of some sort so I don't get bitten in the ass if I am ever hospitalized - am I right on that? 
Any insight from folks who aren't hooked up through an employer is helpful... although I guess that doesn't really matter, but the employers seem to get you better rates than when you're an individual... I think... 
   I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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I wish I could help.
I haven't had ins for over a year myself and now my kids both got dropped also. 
My husband has COBRA at work and its gonna cost 600 bucks a month to insure both kids, and thats not including dental. How much are the ins's your looking at? | |
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Isn't insurance free in Canada, or something like that? | |
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luv4all7 said: I wish I could help.
I haven't had ins for over a year myself and now my kids both got dropped also.
My husband has COBRA at work and its gonna cost 600 bucks a month to insure both kids, and thats not including dental. How much are the ins's your looking at? DAMN, that's crazy expensive  Luckily I just need it for myself...
The plans seem better than when I was looking a year ago - I've seen them for less than $150 a month, but all the dental seems too basic so I need to check into that. I just want to get something I can afford for the times when I'm not working @ all, which happens throughout the year b/c I'm freelance  I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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luv4all7 said: Isn't insurance free in Canada, or something like that?
I've heard that Canadian citizens are automatically insured, lucky bastids  I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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Blue Cross/Blue Shield seems to have some good individual rates. also, if you are part of certain industries, you might be able to get insurance through their state or national organizations.
HMO vs. PPO - i'm not sure what the better deal is in the long run. i suppose a PPO gives you more flexibility if you want to go to particular doctors, even if they are not on the PPO list. if you're in fairly good health, it might be worth going with a higher deductible/lower premium plan. hospitals are often willing to work with you if you do encounter an unusually high expense. | |
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IrresistibleB1tch said: Blue Cross/Blue Shield seems to have some good individual rates. also, if you are part of certain industries, you might be able to get insurance through their state or national organizations.
HMO vs. PPO - i'm not sure what the better deal is in the long run. i suppose a PPO gives you more flexibility if you want to go to particular doctors, even if they are not on the PPO list. if you're in fairly good health, it might be worth going with a higher deductible/lower premium plan. hospitals are often willing to work with you if you do encounter an unusually high expense. Yea, so far it seems like Blue Cross/Shield has some reasonable rates. Didn't realize thing were negotiable if something were to happen (being hospitalized), I just don't wanna get bitten in the ass if something ever does. Thanks!  I never met you, but I LOVE you & I will forever!! Thank you for being YOU - my little Princey, the best to EVER do it | |
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CalhounSq said: luv4all7 said: Isn't insurance free in Canada, or something like that?
I've heard that Canadian citizens are automatically insured, lucky bastids I wonder why we don't have that..... | |
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Thank god for the NHS. I don't envy anyone who has to face this kind of dilemma. The idea that the HMO's are making profit disgusts me. Happy is he who finds out the causes for things.Virgil (70-19 BC). Virgil was such a lying bastard! | |
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luv4all7 said: CalhounSq said: I've heard that Canadian citizens are automatically insured, lucky bastids I wonder why we don't have that.....  | |
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PREDOMINANT said: Thank god for the NHS. I don't envy anyone who has to face this kind of dilemma. The idea that the HMO's are making profit disgusts me.
we've been brainwashed into believing that universal healthcare is somehow like communism.  in the meantime, we spend more money on healthcare than any other country, with millions of people uninsured. it's estimated that 46 million americans lack health insurance.
from http://covertheuninsured....heetID=101 : 
the burden often falls on nonprofit providers like free clinics. also, healthcare becomes an issue as people try to get out of poverty, as they may move to an income level that precludes them from healthcare coverage (especially for their children), but is not sufficient to purchase their own insurance. and as always, somebody is making money, lots of money, from the status quo. source edit [Edited 12/4/06 6:32am] | |
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i do. | |
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IrresistibleB1tch said: PREDOMINANT said: Thank god for the NHS. I don't envy anyone who has to face this kind of dilemma. The idea that the HMO's are making profit disgusts me.
(A bunch of smart stuff)[/b] What stuns me is that other sectors in our economy (manufacturing, technology, financial) aren't more aggressively lobbying for Universal Healthcare coverage, considering the cost to them. Moreover, all those folks having to shell out absorbant amounts of money for health care would probably spend that money in other areas of the economy if given the opportunity. I always hear the arguments about how it would degrade the care that is part of America's Utopia of a Health Care system, but seldom do I see us looking at success stories in other countries. Overall, they seem better off than we do. | |
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AsianBomb777 said: IrresistibleB1tch said: (A bunch of smart stuff) What stuns me is that other sectors in our economy (manufacturing, technology, financial) aren't more aggressively lobbying for Universal Healthcare coverage, considering the cost to them. Moreover, all those folks having to shell out absorbant amounts of money for health care would probably spend that money in other areas of the economy if given the opportunity. I always hear the arguments about how it would degrade the care that is part of America's Utopia of a Health Care system, but seldom do I see us looking at success stories in other countries. Overall, they seem better off than we do. yup, we could learn a lot about how to run a quality universal healthcare system by looking what works and doesn't work for other countries. but like O'Really said "who would want to live in Norway??"  | |
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AsianBomb777 said: IrresistibleB1tch said: (A bunch of smart stuff)[/b] What stuns me is that other sectors in our economy (manufacturing, technology, financial) aren't more aggressively lobbying for Universal Healthcare coverage, considering the cost to them. Moreover, all those folks having to shell out absorbant amounts of money for health care would probably spend that money in other areas of the economy if given the opportunity. I always hear the arguments about how it would degrade the care that is part of America's Utopia of a Health Care system, but seldom do I see us looking at success stories in other countries. Overall, they seem better off than we do.  | |
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4500 euro's for 3 persons a year
it's crazy. | |
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AsianBomb777 said: IrresistibleB1tch said: (A bunch of smart stuff)[/b] What stuns me is that other sectors in our economy (manufacturing, technology, financial) aren't more aggressively lobbying for Universal Healthcare coverage, considering the cost to them. Moreover, all those folks having to shell out absorbant amounts of money for health care would probably spend that money in other areas of the economy if given the opportunity. I always hear the arguments about how it would degrade the care that is part of America's Utopia of a Health Care system, but seldom do I see us looking at success stories in other countries. Overall, they seem better off than we do. People constantly bitch about health Care in the UK, because the free system we had is fast falling apart. It still works pretty well though with the biggest problem being the compromise on new drugs (to expensive) and length of waiting time for treatment. When I worked in the uS I was amazed at the $500+ that was paid by the university for my health care, then I still had to pay $15 to see the doc, $15 for the referral, it was crazy. When I returned I vowed never to complain about uk Tax and the NHS again. IF your private insurance is so high, is it not better to just pay the money into a savings account to spend on health care if you fell ill. Then obtain life insurance or accident insurance to protect you from any long term or debilitating illness? Happy is he who finds out the causes for things.Virgil (70-19 BC). Virgil was such a lying bastard! | |
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PREDOMINANT said: AsianBomb777 said: What stuns me is that other sectors in our economy (manufacturing, technology, financial) aren't more aggressively lobbying for Universal Healthcare coverage, considering the cost to them. Moreover, all those folks having to shell out absorbant amounts of money for health care would probably spend that money in other areas of the economy if given the opportunity. I always hear the arguments about how it would degrade the care that is part of America's Utopia of a Health Care system, but seldom do I see us looking at success stories in other countries. Overall, they seem better off than we do. People constantly bitch about health Care in the UK, because the free system we had is fast falling apart. It still works pretty well though with the biggest problem being the compromise on new drugs (to expensive) and length of waiting time for treatment. When I worked in the uS I was amazed at the $500+ that was paid by the university for my health care, then I still had to pay $15 to see the doc, $15 for the referral, it was crazy. When I returned I vowed never to complain about uk Tax and the NHS again. IF your private insurance is so high, is it not better to just pay the money into a savings account to spend on health care if you fell ill. Then obtain life insurance or accident insurance to protect you from any long term or debilitating illness? Most Americans can't do that. Our Minimum wage is not a living wage. You can't even get a two bedroom apartment here in Tampa if you're making minimum wage. Thus, most live paycheck to paycheck. A savings account for that purpose would remain empty in order to pay for the necessities of life. I'm sooooo glad I'm a comfortable white collar worker. | |
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we have overall the best health care in the world here in France... it's one of the reasons i'm so thankful to live here.
that and the beach. and the wine. i think wine is PART of our healthcare, actually. | |
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I pay for an individual PPO for my daughter and myself. I'm going to add my husband today. It's a HealthNet program with no deductible, and I pay $136 for me and $100 for my daughter. So far, I've been pleased, but this particular program doesn't include maternity, so I'm probably going to have to change it. | |
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FlyAway said: we have overall the best health care in the world here in France... it's one of the reasons i'm so thankful to live here.
that and the beach. and the wine. i think wine is PART of our healthcare, actually.  i'm moving!! | |
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IrresistibleB1tch said: FlyAway said: we have overall the best health care in the world here in France... it's one of the reasons i'm so thankful to live here.
that and the beach. and the wine. i think wine is PART of our healthcare, actually. i'm moving!! i'll bring a bottle and help you unpack.  | |
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FlyAway said: IrresistibleB1tch said: i'm moving!! i'll bring a bottle and help you unpack. deal!! | |
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if you pay for something, you treat it with more care. part of what's wrong with
the health care system is people don't realize what things cost, like cat scans and things like that...this includes the doctors. they just order tests away, which have to be paid for..which increases the insurance premiums..etc. in the good old days, it cost you $20 to go to the doctor. Now its over $100. why? a) the doctors are sued for malpractice, just because they can be sued. we need tort reform b) People have to take on more responsibility for their own actions, including running to the doctor for a hangnail, cause it only costs them $10 copay. | |
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purplerein said: if you pay for something, you treat it with more care. part of what's wrong with
the health care system is people don't realize what things cost, like cat scans and things like that...this includes the doctors. they just order tests away, which have to be paid for..which increases the insurance premiums..etc. in the good old days, it cost you $20 to go to the doctor. Now its over $100. why? a) the doctors are sued for malpractice, just because they can be sued. we need tort reform b) People have to take on more responsibility for their own actions, including running to the doctor for a hangnail, cause it only costs them $10 copay. how do you feel about Health Savings Accounts? and what would the impact of a wide-range implementation of HSAs be, in your opinion? | |
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purplerein said: if you pay for something, you treat it with more care. part of what's wrong with
the health care system is people don't realize what things cost, like cat scans and things like that...this includes the doctors. they just order tests away, which have to be paid for..which increases the insurance premiums..etc. in the good old days, it cost you $20 to go to the doctor. Now its over $100. why? a) the doctors are sued for malpractice, just because they can be sued. we need tort reform b) People have to take on more responsibility for their own actions, including running to the doctor for a hangnail, cause it only costs them $10 copay. But one of the big problems if, if I can't afford helath care, I'm not going to see a doctor till I'm so desperate as to have to go to an emergency room. Then the costs soar. Most can't afford routine check-ups or to go in when thigns might be questionable and get the early diagnosis that help prevent things getting worse. An ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure, kinda thing. Not only is it better for everyone's health, but it ends up costing everyone less. Our current system encourages people not to see doctors and to remain unhealthy. Its sooooo messed up. |
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IrresistibleB1tch said: purplerein said: if you pay for something, you treat it with more care. part of what's wrong with
the health care system is people don't realize what things cost, like cat scans and things like that...this includes the doctors. they just order tests away, which have to be paid for..which increases the insurance premiums..etc. in the good old days, it cost you $20 to go to the doctor. Now its over $100. why? a) the doctors are sued for malpractice, just because they can be sued. we need tort reform b) People have to take on more responsibility for their own actions, including running to the doctor for a hangnail, cause it only costs them $10 copay. how do you feel about Health Savings Accounts? and what would the impact of a wide-range implementation of HSAs be, in your opinion? All for it, IB...it gives people more power, and educates them to use their health care dollars wisely. and not run to the dermatologist for wrinkles and botox. | |
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i actually had to cancel my insurance at work because it ate so much outta my paycheck each month. it was ridiculous. | |
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purplerein said: IrresistibleB1tch said: how do you feel about Health Savings Accounts? and what would the impact of a wide-range implementation of HSAs be, in your opinion? All for it, IB...it gives people more power, and educates them to use their health care dollars wisely. and not run to the dermatologist for wrinkles and botox. boy, i sure hope Botox is not covered by insurance... | |
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IrresistibleB1tch said: purplerein said: All for it, IB...it gives people more power, and educates them to use their health care dollars wisely. and not run to the dermatologist for wrinkles and botox. boy, i sure hope Botox is not covered by insurance... It's not...even though it's been proven to relieve migraine symptoms in many people as well as treat spasticity symptoms in children and adults. http://www.migraines.org/...obotox.htm http://www.medicalnewstod...wsid=32812 http://www.canchild.ca/De...?tabid=135 I would like to try it for my migraines. | |
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