Allergic reaction - $250 Infirmary bill

[cruiselover999]

Quote " The true fact is that 80% of all Americans HAVE health insurance. Of the 20% who do not, many of them CHOOSE not to have insurance. I have also heard horror stories of the Canadian health system....they're broke....people have to wait years for elective surgery...Canadians are flocking to the U.S. to have surgery because of the long wait there. I doubt this is a precise portrayal of the true state of affairs in Canada, but this is what I've heard/read. We have always had insurance, even when unemployed...in fact, our daughter was born after my husband was laid off from his job. She had many difficulties in the first year, resulting in 13 hospital admissions and 3 surgeries. The total bill was well over 1 million dollars between the hospital, doctors, surgeries and home health equipment. Our out of pocket cost....zero. I'll take our American health care system over any other system in the world...any day!" end quote

 

 

Wow, 20% of the population don't have ANY insurance, that's ALOT of people IMO. I'm pretty sure if you went to any single parents with children that absolutely CANNOT afford health insurance, they will tell you it's not by CHOICE. They can't afford to pay the $500 month that one poster stated which I think is ridiculous. Not many young families can afford that, that's why they have NO insurance or insurance with work that only covers a part of their bills.

 

Our Canadian health system isn't perfect, but it's not nearly as bad as some of the whiners make it out to be. With our family of 5 children, we have never had a problem. I have my choice of doctors, can get second, third opinons for no fee and CHOOSE who, how and what I want done, and maybe some surgeries do have wait times, but for the most part it's pretty good considering the entire country is treated free.

 

The best thing is when we are brought in to Emergency in pain or whatever we don't have some staff member asking about insurance before they decide how to treat you. The rich and the poor, are ALL treated the same.

 

I wouldn't take the US's system or anybody else's over the FREE and FAIR Canadian system ever.

 

Americans can walk into an emergency room and be treated immediately, regardless of the ability to pay. In fact, this just happened to my brother. He was laid off from his job and currently has no insurance. He is having prostate problems and was unable to urinate for over 2 days before seeking help. For 6 weeks, he was treated, first at the emergency room, then followed up by doctors. He has not been asked to pay anything, because they know that he has nothing. In fact, he is going to have surgery at Mt. Sinai hospital in Chicago and admissions has already told him that his maximum out of pocket will be 350$, based on his unemployment and no insurance. So don't make it sound like we Americans only treat those who have insurance. Everyone can get treatment! My husband's company pays 100% of our insurance costs, for both of us and our college student children. It's America at its best and no government is involved! Best of both worlds!:p

[Sweetcharlotte30]

The best thing is when we are brought in to Emergency in pain or whatever we don't have some staff member asking about insurance before they decide how to treat you. The rich and the poor, are ALL treated the same.

 

I wouldn't take the US's system or anybody else's over the FREE and FAIR Canadian system ever.

 

I totaly agree, everyone has the same heathcare card in Canada. All provinces abide by this and I wouldn't have it any other way. As soon as I hear a political figure or party going for privitization of heathcare they will not be getting a check from me on election day. Every human being's life is equal.

[cruiselover999]

I totaly agree, everyone has the same heathcare card in Canada. All provinces abide by this and I wouldn't have it any other way. As soon as I hear a political figure or party going for privitization of heathcare they will not be getting a check from me on election day. Every human being's life is equal.

 

Well, that's wonderful for you that your government is so hunky dory that they can do better than the private sector....however, I have never personally seen a case where the government got involved in my life and IMPROVED it, except for national defense...:( Give me low taxes and CHOICE any day!;)

[Sweetcharlotte30]

Well, that's wonderful for you that your government is so hunky dory that they can do better than the private sector....however, I have never personally seen a case where the government got involved in my life and IMPROVED it, except for national defense...:( Give me low taxes and CHOICE any day!;)

 

I guess we're both happy then, cheers! :)

[RNCindy]

My husband is allergic to shellfish and he has eaten the Jerk Pork on cruises before and never had a problem. It sounds to be either a new allergy or cross-contamination from something with seafood on it, which is a chance you take when you eat at ANY restaurant. We were once at a restaurant in Galveston and he ordered Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, thinking it wouldn't have shellfish in it - WRONG!!! It was made with a seafood stock and he ended up in the ER getting IV meds. But then he has also eaten food fried in the same oil as seafood and didn't have a problem, but he is very careful as to what he orders, etc. and hasn't had a problem in years. I would think that after one bite of food causing such an acute reaction that the OP would be carrying an epi-pen. I sure would!!!

[doodlefan]

Americans can walk into an emergency room and be treated immediately, regardless of the ability to pay. In fact, this just happened to my brother. He was laid off from his job and currently has no insurance. He is having prostate problems and was unable to urinate for over 2 days before seeking help. For 6 weeks, he was treated, first at the emergency room, then followed up by doctors. He has not been asked to pay anything, because they know that he has nothing. In fact, he is going to have surgery at Mt. Sinai hospital in Chicago and admissions has already told him that his maximum out of pocket will be 350$, based on his unemployment and no insurance. So don't make it sound like we Americans only treat those who have insurance. Everyone can get treatment! My husband's company pays 100% of our insurance costs, for both of us and our college student children. It's America at its best and no government is involved! Best of both worlds!:p

 

That's great for your brother. Really. But explain to me then why there are so many young families, that can't even afford to take their kids to the ER when they KNOW they have an ear infection or whatever because they can't afford to pay. I have heard stories like yours where someone didn't have insurance and still got great care for little cost but why are there so many others with children with diseases or disability that have huge medical debt. You see it all the time and even on shows such as Extreme Homemakeover. Why do these poor people have such insurmountable debt from having an ill child. It makes no sense to me how some people, like your brother, was well cared for but others have huge bills they will never be able to pay in 2 lifetimes. I'm sure the system has it good points but it sure doesn't sound like a fair system to me.

 

A family with a terminally ill child should not have to deal with making decisions about that childs care based on their ability to pay for said care. They wouldn't have to in Canada.

[cruiselover999]

[ I am very proud to live in Canada and not once ever having to pay for health insurance premiums or ever see a medical bill.

 

I hate to burst your bubble, but you DO pay for health insurance! You pay it in the form of taxes, which in Canada are MUCH higher than here in the states. And you are not given a choice, either. You HAVE to have insurance, and pay for it in taxes, whether you want it or not. I will take free will and choice any day....;)

[amybear912]

Whomever it was that said 80% of Americans have health insurance is just plain wrong... definitely doesn't have their facts straight...

 

Our health insurance problem is bigger than just people not having it... It's a huge problem that affects everyone involved - except the health insurance executives who are bringing home millions in salaries... they are the only winners in this tragedy...

 

Doctors get screwed with super-high malpractice insurance premiums... My BIL is a trauma surgeon and pays 6 figures a year in premiums... that's right folks 6 figures - just in case someone sues!

 

The biggest problem our health insurance situation creates is that in most cases, people have health insurance through their employers... This is a big issue because not only does your employer control WHO you see but in some cases, they control WHEN you can see someone and THEN they can control whether or not you have a job based on your medical issues... it's not supposed to happen but it does EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

 

Then there are the administration problems of this sort of health insurance... Did you know that insurance companies are instructed to DENY 85% of the claims that are submitted??? They actually count on YOU to pay the bill after receiving a denial... they are counting on you to NOT understand your health insurance, to NOT appeal the denial...

 

True story...

 

10 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25 after being told by several doctors that there was no way it was anything serious, I was far too young for it to be anymore than a cyst...

 

2 weeks after my diagnosis and 1 week before my scheduled surgery to remove the lump... My company was acquired by a larger company and guess what??? That larger company used a different health insurance provider... Know what that meant for me???? I had to find all new doctors, reschedule my surgery at a hospital in the NEW network... My other option was to pay for the entire treatment out of pocket... that would have cost me about $275,000!!!!

 

As it stood... even with health insurance, pretty good health insurance I might add... I STILL paid out $15,000 which wasn't covered!!! DH and I had just gotten married a few months before my diagnosis... Needless to say, those costs depleted our nest egg and it has taken us 10 years to recover financially!

 

Allow me to go on and digress a bit from the OP...

 

My mother audits charts for doctor's offices... She is one of a handful of people in the entire country who has the credentials to do what she does... She has been involved in some of the most well-known insurance audits in history and has worked with Presidents Bush and Clinton on Medicare issues... Needless to say, they never listen to what she has to say.... Essentially, the best way to put what she does in perspective is to say this: If she is auditing your doctor's office (or hospital), FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!! She gets called in to audit for one of a few reasons:

 

1. Your doctor is being investigated for insurance fraud.

2. Your doctor is being investigated by the IRS.

3. Your doctor has had his license suspended for something...

 

The horror stories I could tell about what she finds in doctor's offices - it's appalling...

 

Now, someone please remind me why US healthcare is go great!

[Sweetcharlotte30]

[ I am very proud to live in Canada and not once ever having to pay for health insurance premiums or ever see a medical bill.

 

I hate to burst your bubble, but you DO pay for health insurance! You pay it in the form of taxes, which in Canada are MUCH higher than here in the states. And you are not given a choice, either. You HAVE to have insurance, and pay for it in taxes, whether you want it or not. I will take free will and choice any day....;)

 

There's no "bubble" to burst here hunny. I am very proud that our taxes go towards schools and road improvements and other things to improve our way of life INCLUDING heathcare. I would rather pay higher taxes and be taken care of then pay lower taxes and be wacked with a crap load of medical premiums and my kids attending a classes with over 30 kids in it. Our Alberta goverenment takes very good care of it's people. OMG who in their right mind would choose NOT to have medical insurance?? Oh I know, those who have to pay a HIGH premium and can't afford it, that's who.

[doodlefan]

[ I am very proud to live in Canada and not once ever having to pay for health insurance premiums or ever see a medical bill.

 

I hate to burst your bubble, but you DO pay for health insurance! You pay it in the form of taxes, which in Canada are MUCH higher than here in the states. And you are not given a choice, either. You HAVE to have insurance, and pay for it in taxes, whether you want it or not. I will take free will and choice any day....;)

 

You're right we Do pay for health care. It comes out of our taxes, it amounts to maybe $900 per YEAR depending on family size and tax bracket but that is for our whole family for the whole year. That small amount is 1/4 of what someone said it cost them for ONE trip to the ER. It's a small price to pay. And we DO have a choice. There was talk of privatization. Most of the people don't want that. We're happy paying our small amt. for full coverage.

 

And as the other poster said. I think your 80% estimate is WAAAYYYY off. Do a bit of research and you'll see just how many American are without any sort of coverage at all. Sad really

[cruiselover999]

Whomever it was that said 80% of Americans have health insurance is just plain wrong... definitely doesn't have their facts straight...

 

Our health insurance problem is bigger than just people not having it... It's a huge problem that affects everyone involved - except the health insurance executives who are bringing home millions in salaries... they are the only winners in this tragedy...

 

Doctors get screwed with super-high malpractice insurance premiums... My BIL is a trauma surgeon and pays 6 figures a year in premiums... that's right folks 6 figures - just in case someone sues!

 

The biggest problem our health insurance situation creates is that in most cases, people have health insurance through their employers... This is a big issue because not only does your employer control WHO you see but in some cases, they control WHEN you can see someone and THEN they can control whether or not you have a job based on your medical issues... it's not supposed to happen but it does EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

 

Then there are the administration problems of this sort of health insurance... Did you know that insurance companies are instructed to DENY 85% of the claims that are submitted??? They actually count on YOU to pay the bill after receiving a denial... they are counting on you to NOT understand your health insurance, to NOT appeal the denial...

 

True story...

 

10 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25 after being told by several doctors that there was no way it was anything serious, I was far too young for it to be anymore than a cyst...

 

2 weeks after my diagnosis and 1 week before my scheduled surgery to remove the lump... My company was acquired by a larger company and guess what??? That larger company used a different health insurance provider... Know what that meant for me???? I had to find all new doctors, reschedule my surgery at a hospital in the NEW network... My other option was to pay for the entire treatment out of pocket... that would have cost me about $275,000!!!!

 

As it stood... even with health insurance, pretty good health insurance I might add... I STILL paid out $15,000 which wasn't covered!!! DH and I had just gotten married a few months before my diagnosis... Needless to say, those costs depleted our nest egg and it has taken us 10 years to recover financially!

 

Allow me to go on and digress a bit from the OP...

 

My mother audits charts for doctor's offices... She is one of a handful of people in the entire country who has the credentials to do what she does... She has been involved in some of the most well-known insurance audits in history and has worked with Presidents Bush and Clinton on Medicare issues... Needless to say, they never listen to what she has to say.... Essentially, the best way to put what she does in perspective is to say this: If she is auditing your doctor's office (or hospital), FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!! She gets called in to audit for one of a few reasons:

 

1. Your doctor is being investigated for insurance fraud.

2. Your doctor is being investigated by the IRS.

3. Your doctor has had his license suspended for something...

 

The horror stories I could tell about what she finds in doctor's offices - it's appalling...

 

Now, someone please remind me why US healthcare is go great!

 

Ok, so....because your mother does a job where she, by your own description, only sees the very worst case scenario, you are painting all doctors and insurers with the same brush? Doctors pay high malpractice because PEOPLE SUE LIKE MAD DOGS! And that six figure insurance...well, you're not telling the whole story. That same surgeon earns well over a million dollars a year, so at that point, his insurance is about 10% of his income...not a bad trade off. I too have had to do the whole "find new doctors, new diagnosis" thing. Yes, it's a pain in the butt. Yes, insurance companies make lots of money. So do other companies...so what? They're not there to work for free! As an American, you have the unique ability to earn as much money as you like! Go figure! I would never say that free health insurance is a bad thing, except that there is no such thing as FREE! SOMETHING or SOMEBODY has to pay for it! And when the government is deciding this for you, it's just one more case of removing free will and bringing us closer to a socialist society! Do you REALLY want that? Not me!

[Amlee]

The biggest problem our health insurance situation creates is that in most cases, people have health insurance through their employers... This is a big issue because not only does your employer control WHO you see but in some cases, they control WHEN you can see someone and THEN they can control whether or not you have a job based on your medical issues... it's not supposed to happen but it does EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!...

 

 

As an employer I can tell you that isn't aways the case. We offer insurance (the same that I have) to our employees. They can go to any hospital or doctor of their choice. They do not have to have a referral to see a specialist. Their co-pay is $20 for meds.

 

Again as an employer I can tell you it's very much against the law to decide whether a person can have a job based on their medicial issues. We can't even ask if you have medical issues.

 

If an employer refuses to hire you because of health issues or if you are even asked about health issues, then you can have a major lawsuit against them.

 

Let me edit to add there are exceptions to this. My brother who was a 9 shot a day diabetic lost his DCLs because of his sugar issues. I know of another man who lost his DCL's because he kept falling asleep at the wheel of his gas tanker.

[bluehorizonlover123]

They probably won't drop the bill but with a friend of mine whose husband got sick they offered them a lot of shipboard credits on a future cruise to get them to come back again. Write them a long letter and explain everything and you will be pleasantly surprised when they come back with a discount on a future cruise or shipboard credits on a future cruise.

[doodlefan]

Whomever it was that said 80% of Americans have health insurance is just plain wrong... definitely doesn't have their facts straight...

 

Our health insurance problem is bigger than just people not having it... It's a huge problem that affects everyone involved - except the health insurance executives who are bringing home millions in salaries... they are the only winners in this tragedy...

 

Doctors get screwed with super-high malpractice insurance premiums... My BIL is a trauma surgeon and pays 6 figures a year in premiums... that's right folks 6 figures - just in case someone sues!

 

The biggest problem our health insurance situation creates is that in most cases, people have health insurance through their employers... This is a big issue because not only does your employer control WHO you see but in some cases, they control WHEN you can see someone and THEN they can control whether or not you have a job based on your medical issues... it's not supposed to happen but it does EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

 

Then there are the administration problems of this sort of health insurance... Did you know that insurance companies are instructed to DENY 85% of the claims that are submitted??? They actually count on YOU to pay the bill after receiving a denial... they are counting on you to NOT understand your health insurance, to NOT appeal the denial...

 

True story...

 

10 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25 after being told by several doctors that there was no way it was anything serious, I was far too young for it to be anymore than a cyst...

 

2 weeks after my diagnosis and 1 week before my scheduled surgery to remove the lump... My company was acquired by a larger company and guess what??? That larger company used a different health insurance provider... Know what that meant for me???? I had to find all new doctors, reschedule my surgery at a hospital in the NEW network... My other option was to pay for the entire treatment out of pocket... that would have cost me about $275,000!!!!

 

As it stood... even with health insurance, pretty good health insurance I might add... I STILL paid out $15,000 which wasn't covered!!! DH and I had just gotten married a few months before my diagnosis... Needless to say, those costs depleted our nest egg and it has taken us 10 years to recover financially!

 

Allow me to go on and digress a bit from the OP...

 

My mother audits charts for doctor's offices... She is one of a handful of people in the entire country who has the credentials to do what she does... She has been involved in some of the most well-known insurance audits in history and has worked with Presidents Bush and Clinton on Medicare issues... Needless to say, they never listen to what she has to say.... Essentially, the best way to put what she does in perspective is to say this: If she is auditing your doctor's office (or hospital), FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!! She gets called in to audit for one of a few reasons:

 

1. Your doctor is being investigated for insurance fraud.

2. Your doctor is being investigated by the IRS.

3. Your doctor has had his license suspended for something...

 

The horror stories I could tell about what she finds in doctor's offices - it's appalling...

 

Now, someone please remind me why US healthcare is go great!

 

 

Thanks for your input. That must have been an awful time for you. That's what I don't understand. You were at such an awful point in your life and Bam, all this extra baggage about insurance, having to switch, delaying important surgery. That sort of stuff shouldn't happen. It's hard enough when you or a loved one is ill, to have to make decisions about their care based on the amount of money you have. This does not happen in Canada. For that reason alone, I like our health care. It's not perfect, but it's sure better than alot of other counties in the world.

 

I'm glad you got through your ordeal.

[cruiselover999]

You're right we Do pay for health care. It comes out of our taxes, it amounts to maybe $900 per YEAR depending on family size and tax bracket but that is for our whole family for the whole year. That small amount is 1/4 of what someone said it cost them for ONE trip to the ER. It's a small price to pay. And we DO have a choice. There was talk of privatization. Most of the people don't want that. We're happy paying our small amt. for full coverage.

 

And as the other poster said. I think your 80% estimate is WAAAYYYY off. Do a bit of research and you'll see just how many American are without any sort of coverage at all. Sad really

 

 

I stand corrected...You're right, it's not 20% uninsured....According to the Center for American Progress, I quote "About one in six Americans lacks health insurance at any point in time. To put this into perspective, 47 million uninsured Americans". Since we have about 300 million people in the U.S., that would make it closer to 15%. And again, of those 15%, how many CHOOSE not to pay for health care insurance?

[amybear912]

Americans can walk into an emergency room and be treated immediately, regardless of the ability to pay. In fact, this just happened to my brother. He was laid off from his job and currently has no insurance. He is having prostate problems and was unable to urinate for over 2 days before seeking help. For 6 weeks, he was treated, first at the emergency room, then followed up by doctors. He has not been asked to pay anything, because they know that he has nothing. In fact, he is going to have surgery at Mt. Sinai hospital in Chicago and admissions has already told him that his maximum out of pocket will be 350$, based on his unemployment and no insurance. So don't make it sound like we Americans only treat those who have insurance. Everyone can get treatment! My husband's company pays 100% of our insurance costs, for both of us and our college student children. It's America at its best and no government is involved! Best of both worlds!:p

 

Your brother is a rare case... lucky for you... The reality is that this is not a true representation of our healthcare system... More times than not, people ARE denied treatment based on their ability to pay... Right now, you are lucky to have a husband whose company pays 100% of your insurance but that is changing... more and more companies are decreasing their contribution rate... it's just a matter of time before that affects you too! And when it does, I suspect you'll be singing another tune...

 

Our government may have minimal involvement in our healthcare, FOR NOW... but having your employer involved in your healthcare is just as bad, if not worse!

[cruiselover999]

I stand corrected...You're right, it's not 20% uninsured....According to the Center for American Progress, I quote "About one in six Americans lacks health insurance at any point in time. To put this into perspective, 47 million uninsured Americans". Since we have about 300 million people in the U.S., that would make it closer to 15%. And again, of those 15%, how many CHOOSE not to pay for health care insurance?

 

Oh, and for the record, I never said it was SMART not to have insurance. I simply said that not all uninsured Americans are unisured by need. Free will!

[soozles]

That's great for your brother. Really. But explain to me then why there are so many young families, that can't even afford to take their kids to the ER when they KNOW they have an ear infection or whatever because they can't afford to pay. I have heard stories like yours where someone didn't have insurance and still got great care for little cost but why are there so many others with children with diseases or disability that have huge medical debt. You see it all the time and even on shows such as Extreme Homemakeover. Why do these poor people have such insurmountable debt from having an ill child. It makes no sense to me how some people, like your brother, was well cared for but others have huge bills they will never be able to pay in 2 lifetimes. I'm sure the system has it good points but it sure doesn't sound like a fair system to me.

 

A family with a terminally ill child should not have to deal with making decisions about that childs care based on their ability to pay for said care. They wouldn't have to in Canada.

 

That's because if your kid has an ear infection, you shouldn't be taking them to an emergency room, it's not the correct use of the emergency room. If your kid has an ear infection or a cold, you take them to a primary care doctor, and in the US, there are free clinics you can take your kid to if you have to. But what happens when you take your kid to the ER for a non emergency is that you take time away from the physicians and nurses so those with a real emergency wait longer, and then if you go to the ER and have no money to pay, well, they have to somehow pay for all the supplies your kid used on the trip to the ER with an ear infection. So that cost comes back to the people who pay out of pocket since insurance will only reimburse up to a certain amount. Is it fair? Not necessarily, but maybe, just maybe if people used the healthcare resources properly, a trip to the ER wouldn't be so expensive.

 

And yes, I know it's hard when your baby is crying and screaming because they're uncomfortable, but it's not an emergency. Take them to a primary care doc, your bill will most likely be a lot less and you'll leave time for the docs and nurses to take care of those with a real emergency.

[cruiselover999]

That's because if your kid has an ear infection, you shouldn't be taking them to an emergency room, it's not the correct use of the emergency room. If your kid has an ear infection or a cold, you take them to a primary care doctor, and in the US, there are free clinics you can take your kid to if you have to. But what happens when you take your kid to the ER for a non emergency is that you take time away from the physicians and nurses so those with a real emergency wait longer, and then if you go to the ER and have no money to pay, well, they have to somehow pay for all the supplies your kid used on the trip to the ER with an ear infection. So that cost comes back to the people who pay out of pocket since insurance will only reimburse up to a certain amount. Is it fair? Not necessarily, but maybe, just maybe if people used the healthcare resources properly, a trip to the ER wouldn't be so expensive.

 

And yes, I know it's hard when your baby is crying and screaming because they're uncomfortable, but it's not an emergency. Take them to a primary care doc, your bill will most likely be a lot less and you'll leave time for the docs and nurses to take care of those with a real emergency.

 

Well said! Much comes down to educating yourself in the correct use of the medical system!

[cruiselover999]

Your brother is a rare case... lucky for you... The reality is that this is not a true representation of our healthcare system... More times than not, people ARE denied treatment based on their ability to pay... Right now, you are lucky to have a husband whose company pays 100% of your insurance but that is changing... more and more companies are decreasing their contribution rate... it's just a matter of time before that affects you too! And when it does, I suspect you'll be singing another tune...

 

Our government may have minimal involvement in our healthcare, FOR NOW... but having your employer involved in your healthcare is just as bad, if not worse!

 

So you're saying you'd rather have the GOVERNMENT involved rather than your employer? Please....tell me what the government has gotten involved in where they have made a situation BETTER? :eek:

[Amlee]

Your brother is a rare case... lucky for you... The reality is that this is not a true representation of our healthcare system... More times than not, people ARE denied treatment based on their ability to pay... Right now, you are lucky to have a husband whose company pays 100% of your insurance but that is changing... more and more companies are decreasing their contribution rate... it's just a matter of time before that affects you too! And when it does, I suspect you'll be singing another tune...

 

Our government may have minimal involvement in our healthcare, FOR NOW... but having your employer involved in your healthcare is just as bad, if not worse!

 

 

Wow, why I can say you have the right to be bitter toward your employer or former employer. I have a huge problem with you lumping all of us together.

[amybear912]

I stand corrected...You're right, it's not 20% uninsured....According to the Center for American Progress, I quote "About one in six Americans lacks health insurance at any point in time. To put this into perspective, 47 million uninsured Americans". Since we have about 300 million people in the U.S., that would make it closer to 15%. And again, of those 15%, how many CHOOSE not to pay for health care insurance?

 

 

For most of those people it is a choice between food on the table and health insurance... not really much of a choice if you ask me... OR, how about this... They CAN'T get health insurance due to a pre-existing condition...

 

For example, let's say that at the age of 24 you had an ulcer... you didn't have insurance at the time for whatever reason and you received treatment for which you paid for it out of your pocket... The way health insurance works is that for the rest of your life, anything related to that issue will NEVER be covered by any health insurance... You will ALWAYS have to pay out of pocket for treatment related to that condition because you didn't have insurance at the time you were diagnosed with the problem... sounds fair and good to me:rolleyes:

 

 

Some people "choose" (as you so naively put it) not to pay for health insurance because they literally cannot afford it and their employer does not offer it... Prime example... my sis makes $8 working retail, 40 hours a week... Her employer does not offer health insurance... Her premium if she were to get it on her own would be $350 a month JUST FOR HER!!!! That's 40% of what she brings home in a month.

 

So much for "choices"...

[Amlee]

For most of those people it is a choice between food on the table and health insurance... not really much of a choice if you ask me... OR, how about this... They CAN'T get health insurance due to a pre-existing condition...

 

For example, let's say that at the age of 24 you had an ulcer... you didn't have insurance at the time for whatever reason and you received treatment for which you paid for it out of your pocket... The way health insurance works is that for the rest of your life, anything related to that issue will NEVER be covered by any health insurance... You will ALWAYS have to pay out of pocket for treatment related to that condition because you didn't have insurance at the time you were diagnosed with the problem... sounds fair and good to me:rolleyes:

 

 

Some people "choose" (as you so naively put it) not to pay for health insurance because they literally cannot afford it and their employer does not offer it... Prime example... my sis makes $8 working retail, 40 hours a week... Her employer does not offer health insurance... Her premium if she were to get it on her own would be $350 a month JUST FOR HER!!!! That's 40% of what she brings home in a month.

 

So much for "choices"...

 

 

Again, all I can say is just WOW! Most pre-existing conditions have a 18 to 24 month waiting period, but they are rarely never not covered. I can think of only a handful of illness that would never be covered. But like I said, only a handful. Most are still insurable, but at a higher rate.

 

I have a condition that I will have for the rest of my life. I was treated before I had insurance. I had not choice. Be treated or die. I got treated. I had to wait 12 months before my insurance would kick in.

[amybear912]

Wow, why I can say you have the right to be bitter toward your employer or former employer. I have a huge problem with you lumping all of us together.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

lumping all of who together... I don't follow your point...

[amybear912]

Again, all I can say is just WOW! Most pre-existing conditions have a 18 to 24 month waiting period, but they are rarely never not covered.

 

Not true... not true at all... If you weren't covered at the time of treatment, no insurance company is going to cover treatment for that condition... Trust me, I'm pretty knowledgeable about how this system works... As I said, I've got a mother who is up to her neck in this system...

 

I am constantly amazed at how misinformed people are about the status of their healthcare... When you've got the coverage, you have no worries... you don't understand the problems involved here until something catastrophic happens... and then watch how quickly your money leaves your pocket...

 

Treating ear infections and sore throats is one thing... As soon as your diagnosis starts costing the insurance company, they are very quick to find a way not to pay...