for those of you with healthcare through work

Matt13 - I see your point of view (above). I disagree and think you are wrong, but I do see where you are coming from. Incidentally, I was trying to keep the charity issues out of my post and speak to other principles. I don't think that we should let a person a broken arm get gangrene and die. I don't think anybody here believes or wants that.

But where to draw the line between how and when to treat those can't afford it (whether through gov't/church/private charity and via voluntary donations or taxes) ... very tough question to answer. But whatever the solution, I think the inefficiencies of the federal gov't is the wrong choice. Even if it had to come through taxes, I would prefer it managed at a local level where the particular issues of community could factored in. I have a problem paying extra taxes to support gov't bureaucracy.

 

Death and tax are the two certainties of life.

You earn money, You're taxed
You spend money, You're taxed
You save money, You're taxed
You die, You're taxed.

 

Its funny how much all of you complain about taxes. No one is twisting your arm forcing you to live in California.

 

silver. no crow for you. i cant find my benefits package from 5-6 years ago. i dont know what else to say other than the only time my premiums have ever changed were when i added my wife to my policy and it doubled.

for the rest of you, how about we stay on topic and only people who have employer provided plans respond with whether or not the premiums have gone up or down? im guilty of straying off topic as well. this thread has gone downhill fast.

so i have one more question. for those of you with employer provided insurance, if you choose not to take benefits, do any of you get higher compensation in return? my wife was saying her work offers this.

 

All I know is that my monthly premium just went up $40 in this time that my business has not made me a pay check in 2 years that's a lot of money, and having my own business I do not qualify for unemployment. I do not know the reason for the increase but this is the first for a couple years now
For those who bemoan Kaiser Permanete, I have been with them for 10 years now and I am more than happy with there service I was diagnosed with Testicular cancer in January, within 1 week I was in surgery to remove the tumor and testicle, after i healed from that after about 4 weeks they had me in chemo and finished my treatment total out of pocket less than $300 in copay's,, No waiting for referrals or approvals like other HMO's.
also I have allergies that require allergy shots monthly with my other HMO they dropped me from treatment because my serum was to expensive, Kaiser didn't even blink an eye and covered them..
All I can say I am glad a caught my Cancer now and not 2 years from now, when there will be 25 million more people in the system there is not the infrastructure to handle that many people it will be like Canada or GB where you will have to wait for treatment there is no way around it. its simple MATH.

 

You have no idea what you're talking about re: Canada.

 

You are right I have no idea what i am talking about when it come to healthcare in canada all I know is what I have heard second hand,, Stories about waiting for months to get a simple surgery or having to come to America to have it so they can have a competent surgeon. but yes you are right I have NO first hand experience with CANADAs health care system. ARE all these stories UNTRUE LIES ?????? If so I sure have heard a lot of them. Hummmm

 

Having worked for a Canadian company, I can relate the stories of my co-workers waiting inordinate amounts of time for routine procedures, etc. Many would pay out of their pocket to come to the US for some things where they believed the quality of care was superior here. That said though, most would not trade the Canadian system for the US system.

 

I've heard lots of stories about UFOs...

 

My wife is renewing her Anthem plans the premiums went up 20-25%.
Employee+Kid(s) =$205/mo
Employee+kid(s)+spouse =$545/mo
She's dropping me and I'm going through Kaiser(30 copay/1500 deductible) for a $150/mo saving

 

WOW I am sorry I mentioned CANADA. forget I even mentioned it sounds like it has the best heath coverage and service in the world. the Point I was trying to make IS. SOON there will be 25 MILLION new people in a system that is already at overwhelmed.
It will not be pretty

 

what were the rises in premiums the previous years? im having sticker shock from not having really any changes in my premiums the last few years.

 

It doesn't. France is better. The UK is cheaper.

 

http://www.canada.com/health/Canada...r+only+than+America+Report/3200336/story.html
sounds like its second to last
Last is the USA

 

I started with my company in 2008 and was paying $77/month with Blue Shield HMO, just myself. In 2009 my premium with Blue Shield went up to $101/month, a 32% increase. Also in 2009, I broke my arm and had two surgeries, months of PT... close to $80,000 worth of care. I paid my $1500 deductible and nothing more. In 2010 we switched to Aetna (same HMO) and my premium went to $117/month, a 15% increase.

In May I got married and my premium went to $251/month (wife and I), a 115% increase.

So... in conclusion, wives cost more than rising health care costs.

 

Don't know about Canada either, but it is probably similar to The UK's healthcare, which I do know about. The stories you have heard are correct in that the surgeries people wait for are simple.
That would be minor hernias, knee or wrist operations, in-growing toenails or other medical issues that are very much non-life threatening or will not involve complications if not treated imediately. For these there is a waiting list if the patients condition does not deteriorate. On the other hand, I also know a lot of people here who are not terated instantly for these same ailments.
If you are diagnosed with cancer or any other life threatening disease, you are treated imediately, same as here. People may also be more likely to seek treatment sooner, rather than later, as there are no deductables or out of pocket costs associated with a visit to a doctor or hospital.


By the way. Here is the CIA's life expectancy list, if that has any reflection on healthcare from country to country (which I am not sure it has).
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html


Canada is 7th higest, UK 36th and United States 49th

 

I agree with you on this--right on! Although there are extreme views on healthcare, in reality it is not a free good or something that can be provided in unlimited quantities. It has to be rationed in some fashion, like everything else in society. To me it makes far more sense to give people an incentive to save money on their medical expenses and to provide a mechanism whereby a reasonable amount of the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with rationing of health care are resolved by the person receiving the care. In addition, the high deductible plan with the HSA roll-over, if applied on a much wider scale would significantly mitigate rising costs.

 

I have had Kaiser for no out of pocket for last 4 years. 2011 health plan is now CIGNA HSA with $1200 deductible - company kicks in first $200 of deducitble + another $200 if I participate in wellness plan. 80% coverage after deductible satisfied. 1 free preventative checkup per year. Company announced plan change is due to health reform.
So guess I'm contributing to health care of formerly uninsured. If it works for the greater good I suppose that's ok but I'm just glad I'm healthy and that my ex-wife's insurance (she's a High School teacher) is still free and covers my kids.

 

My employer-provided healthcare premiums are going up about 15% for 2011. Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are also going up 15%. Office visit co-pays are going up $5 to $35/$45 (primary/specialist).

 

You're probably right that I won't get any $$ to absorb the cost of the government-run healthcare.

DId I mention I'm on 4 day/week pay (average hours per week is 50+) and the words "raise" and "Bonus" haven't been uttered since 2007?........

Memo to Democrats: Keep squeezing small business owners and raising taxes and cost of health insurance and cost of doing business, and we'll be like Greece and Spain that much sooner. I'm giving the good ole USA about 3-5 years, unless this ship turns right very sharply, and very soon.

Thanks, JEFF