tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043595.post2525215603443889712..comments2023-10-15T05:32:17.988-05:00Comments on The Deacon's Slant: Healthcare and Health Insuranceplsdeaconhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18039800243898137584noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043595.post-87538081225358287302009-01-13T13:41:00.000-06:002009-01-13T13:41:00.000-06:00One reason in particular for Health Care being mor...One reason in particular for Health Care being more than insurance against catestrophic loss as you defined is that it is a competitive advantage for companies to provide this coverage for their employees. For example, I am a member of a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), and as long as I go to the doctors who are on my plan (agreed to cost containment as defined by the insurance company) it doesn't cost me much to go to the doctor. It is also hassle-free, in that I don't have to spend my valuable time reconciling EOB's against what the doctor charges. Overall I pay more for this arrangement, but for me, a single dad with 3 very active teenage boys, it works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043595.post-67007974435598120602009-01-06T21:03:00.000-06:002009-01-06T21:03:00.000-06:00Hi Robroy,I would agree that Insurance Companies h...Hi Robroy,<BR/><BR/>I would agree that Insurance Companies have too much power in many states - particularly in the Medicare and Medicaid businesses. What we need is a way to reduce the costs of delivering medical care. Reducing the insurance companies' influence is part of it - as is discovering better ways to deliver non-emergency care.<BR/><BR/>YBIC,<BR/>Phil Snyderplsdeaconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18039800243898137584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30043595.post-75325818953156832622009-01-06T19:11:00.000-06:002009-01-06T19:11:00.000-06:00What we shouldn't do is to place all the advantage...What we shouldn't do is to place all the advantage with the insurance companies. Currently the insurance companies are merging into mega-organizations. <BR/><BR/>We have this about the department of Justice:<BR/><I>In the past 12 years, out of more than 400 mergers, the DOJ has challenged only<BR/>two.</I><BR/><BR/><I>While large health insurers have posted very healthy profits since 2000, premiums for consumers have increased without a corresponding increase in benefits. In fact, during the same time period, consumers have faced increased deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance. This has effectively reduced the scope of their health benefits coverage.</I><BR/><BR/>In Colorado, I think that three insurers now control ~90% of the business. Patients and physicians are powerless. How can I has a small business owner tell Well-pointe that their premiums on my 10 employees is too high? Also, as a physician, I can't get together with the other specialists in town and tell them their reimbursements don't cover my expenses. The DoJ would come after us for collusion! It is crazy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com