Ouch

Today I got an FYI from my HMO about my physical on May 1....[This does not include the blood tests that were done last week as I assume Medicare covers those in full.]

In large print it says not a bill - I was not concerned that it was - but I still had an OUCH moment when I saw the visit was assessed at $213.00. No wonder so many people who do not have health coverage do not see physicians. And when uninsured people do get seriously ill, they get taken to the emergency rooms. and that costs lots more and for the uninsured, we all wind up paying for that anyway.

So here's to Universal Coverage...Medicare for all would work....It's actually an efficient program in spite of what the Republicans would have us believe.

Only a pawn in their game [B. Dylan]

Why is that "health" care companies feel they have the right to scam Medicare clients and all others?

Why don't they do health care insuring [and assuring] and not "pick-your-pocket" and "damn-the-consequences" type of behavior?

From the Sunday New York Times

October 7, 2007
Medicare Audits Show Problems in Private Plans
By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 — Tens of thousands of Medicare recipients have been victims of deceptive sales tactics and had claims improperly denied by private insurers that run the system’s huge new drug benefit program and offer other private insurance options encouraged by the Bush administration, a review of scores of federal audits has found.

The problems, described in 91 audit reports reviewed by The New York Times, include the improper termination of coverage for people with H.I.V. and AIDS, huge backlogs of claims and complaints, and a failure to answer telephone calls from consumers, doctors and drugstores....The audits document widespread violations of patients’ rights and consumer protection standards. Some violations could directly affect the health of patients — for example, by delaying access to urgently needed medications. [emphasis mine - LD]

Full article here HERE

Call me whatever - but I'd rather have the government doing health care than these greedy, out-to-scam-everyone corporate types whose only interest is the bottom line and their shareholders.

The people buying the insurance? We are just pawns in their game. And I have seen the "game" both as a provider and as an insured! Believe me - insurance companies are out for your money - not your health!

I am embarrassed

Between computer issues and life - I have not been writing on some of my blogs for a long long time... My pre-new year's resolution is to write weekly...

One major change I made was to join a health club and work out almost daily. What enticed me to do this was yet another announcement from my AARP medigap plan that rates were going up again. I joined last January with a notice of what I would pay monthly during 2005 yet my rate went up in July [their plan year I guess]. Then came a notice that the rate for 2006 was to be another almost $25-30 per month..but I suspect if I had remained with them the rate would again go up in July...

In my search for another plan I found one that is LOWERING their rates in January and offers a FREE health club membership - so I switched quickly and have been working out since mid October!

I did forget that working out takes time...then of course I still work, still have to walk my dog and since it's winter I still have to ski....Oh and there are squash courts at the club [why I joined the one I joined] and I've gotten back to playing squash!

Am feeling super duper great and I know it's really good to stay in shape but I need to learn how to fit all this good stuff into my life :)

I am growing older better and better - and I'll get back to blogging now too...