Health Insurance

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:25 pm

I don't want to provoke a debate about health care in the US. We each probably have our own individual feelings about what's right (and what's wrong) with it.

I am self-employed and that creates a particular "lens" through which I see the debate about health care. As such, I often get updates and information related to obtaining health care. I thought some others might also benefit from this information.

Please, take it for what it's worth to you. I am not, nor is the RLS Foundation, endorsing anything that might be listed here. Just offering links to see different perspectives.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:27 pm

This proposal was created by the AMA. It offers their perspective about how the system could be changed. They include a place where you can join them in some way (I didn't check it out, so unsure of what that would mean).

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:39 pm

This Website includes analyzes the presidential campaigns related to health care and also includes many resources to review.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:48 pm

Some of us can't find an insurance policy that we can afford. This company says they can help people. I haven't a clue how it works, how expensive it is, etc., but other than the annoying voice on the site, it seems an interesting concept.

Rubyslipper · Post by **Rubyslipper** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:31 pm

I won't get into a discussion on the pros and cons of our insurance system so thanks for places to become more informed. I am a lucky person in that where I work has excellent insurance coverage and pays for it and my hubby (at least for now). That's the main reason I am still working and will for a long time, to provide the insurance.

For those who do not have insurance or have to pay a ridiculous amount, I truly feel for you. So many people do not take the meds they need because of the cost.

What to do? I don't know the answer to that. It's just a shame that we can't take care of people they way they need.

Aiken · Post by **Aiken** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:19 am

I just don't want to see the US adopt the Canadian method. My own experiences, and my mom's ongoing experiences back in Canada, lead me to believe that it's the greater of two evils.

Beyond that, I dunno. I know there are problems in the US, mainly for the un- and self-employed. Sucks, but I dunno what the solution is. All-socialized health care sucks, all-private health care sucks, and though it would seem a mix would be a good compromise, that doesn't work at all because nobody on the medical side wants to work in the socialized system.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:37 am

This site has a very specific agenda. Again, I'm not endorsing anything, just providing this for people who want to know more and want to explore alternatives.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:34 am

I just found the Cover the Uninsured site tonight. It has state by state info.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:12 am

It's not a site to go to, but an update on insurance in general.

I am lucky enough to have found a group insurance that didn't have any exclusions or anything. But, time to time I like to look around and see if I can find something better.

Recently I called another plan. They called the underwriter about the RLS. First, RLS itself is excluded by a rider, meaning that even if they did cover me, they'd cover NOTHING related to RLS. No visits, no drugs, no sleep studies, etc.

But, it wasn't an issue, because for the third time a company would NOT cover me because I take an opioid. Yep. ANY opioid is out. Doesn't matter what it is, it automatically means that you cannot get their insurance. That makes three different companies, three different underwriters, all excluding people from coverage if they take opioids.

becat · Post by **becat** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:35 pm

We need to advocate for our community, this is going to hit so many, no matter what side you take.

I have to agree with Aiken, social medicine is not my fair, either. I had a horrible time with that social medicine while my ex was in the Air Force.
I'm not saying that all military docs are bad, they are not.

However, like any other group, they had more excuses and far more mistakes that just don't seem to happen in the private sector.

I was told I had a cyst on an ovary, it turned out 4 months later that that cyst had a heartbeat. :shock:

I was already 5 1/2 months by then. That was not the worst I saw under that system either.
I think everyone deserves good health care, but I shy away from the thought of socialized medicine.

I would be willing, as a US tax payer, to pay for medical school for good students, but only if they worked for 8-10 yrs. in a Gov. sponsored health facility, in return for a free education. Why not that?

ADVOCATE should be what we could do together and maybe get somewhere for the better, but we would need to band together to do so.
Maybe the foundation would help get us into some doors or to the right people.

It will be US that fixes this, not anyone else.

I say we get every boot (RLS simulator) that BI made and hit Washington.
Demand that every one of them try this boot for no less that 15 minutes or more if we are really torked off.

Let's see if they think it's a joke after they try our legs out for a bit.

This is where we all can help ourselves, we need action.

I'd go if we could plan it far enough in advance. Carpools and Road trip anyone?

Lynne

Post by **Polar Bear** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:33 pm

By socialised medicine, I reckon you mean what we have here in UK.

Hmm... hard to know. Private we can choose..... National Health Service is free/slow...... now always slow... Maybe the luck of the draw over here, and where you live, their budget etc. etc.

Some people have extra private insurance to top up the government healthcare. But then it doesn't cover a pre-existing condiditon. When you are almost 60, that's a lot of conditions not going to be covered. Even if it was just a twinge 30 years ago. :evil:

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:40 pm

The decision about how the "fix" healthcare is not an easy one. If it was, it would be fixed! Many in the US have strong feelings about this - in every direction. I certainly don't envy the next president.

I can't imagine any system not having it's strengths and weaknesses. I have heard stories of people in Canada who tested positive on a blood test for celiac disease having to wait up to a year to get a biopsy. Since a biopsy is the only way to know for sure, that means another year of being sick and of poisoning your body.

That sort of story related to a "national" health care program makes people in the US crazy. We're used to just walking in and getting our procedure next day or next week at the latest.

But, we're also being denied, turned down, and not being covered at huge rates. Many of these people are NOT the indigent, but working poor and increasingly working middle class. Heck, I'd just about take a job at Starbucks just to get the insurance, lol! Nothing wrong with Starbucks, but I'm trying to live my American dream by owning my own business. Nothing helps me do that in a way that ensures I will live long enough to be successful at it. OK, that's a bit exaggerated, but you get my point.

I would be thrilled if the only change made was to require all existing pools to have to allow other people to join. I want to join a large group somewhere...but I can't. I can only get self-insurance and I can't get it because I take an opioid. Huh. Doesn't seem fair.

Some states are now allowing such pooling to happen, just not the one I live in. I can only hope for a national law that allows it...or requires it...and at a price that we can afford.

Post by **Polar Bear** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 11:57 am

Yes, here in UK I have been waiting for 2 tests, for over 2 months now, one will be in a month or so, the other may be another 3 months.

Neco · Post by **Neco** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:06 pm

Why do all these companies exlucde people because of opiods?

What possibly reason could they even have in the first place? Stuff like that should be hauled into court under whatever discrimination laws can be applied.

Ann.. in your case couldn't you discuss possible ways to omit your opiod use with your doctor? I mean that's BS.. Methadone is incredibly cheap too, so I suspect you could be kept off their radar by simply telling the pharmacist to specifically not run your methadone through insurance..

I know its a big deal to advocate lying.. In fact I'm sure its probably illegal for some BS reason, and the companies probably have some bogus legal right to review your medical records...

But if not, or you can simply arrange for your doctor to no longer mark your methadone prescription in your chart, for purposes of "discontinued"... It would be awesome..

Probably won't work, but I had to get it out of my head anyway

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:06 pm

It sure does influence a person thinking about creative ways around the situation, doesn't it? Since I currently have insurance, I'm OK...but I am worried of the financial health of the group I'm in. If they were to go out of business, I'd have some very tough decisions to make.

I've thought, also, of going back to dopamine agonists to see if I could control the RLS long enough to get the insurance. I know I'd augment quickly, but it could get rid of the opioids long enough to get the insurance.

My main hope, for anyone else in a similar situation, is that the next presidency moves the health care debate along so that additional options are offered. Both candidates have offered ideas that would help people in my position.