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Currently my health insurance pays 100% on most everything and I am just responsible for a $200 deductible and a $15 copay per visit. I don't have to pay for either of these because we also have Tricare as a secondary insurance. So, other than $30 for a three month prescription (or less depending on whether it is generic or not), we do very well with our health insurance.
Now they are talking about lowering the percentage that they pay and charging us more for the health insurance. Oh yeah, that makes sense. (NOT)
I am finding out that cancer is a very expensive disease. Before Cancer (BC in my head) I only went to the doctor to get prescriptions for refills.
I won't bore you with the specific details but suffice it to say, we've gotten through two surgeries (breast and port) and gotten the bill for one chemo treatment and we are up to $58,816.43 that they charged to my insurance company and the insurance company has only had to pay $17,280.77. (Which is still a nice chunk of change but amazingly lower than they were charged.) The good news is I don't have to make up the difference. (Really...that wasn't the specific details, I promise.)
Next year, if they only pay 80%, then if one chemo treatment costs $6386.78 (which is what the insurance company pays now) then I will have to pay $1277.36 of that amount. Luckily I only have one treatment currently scheduled for the new year. I should be done by the second week in January. But still....THANKS O'Bama. Health insurance was one of the things that set my company apart from working for other companies. They just lost that edge.
Don't get me wrong...I appreciate that people who have no health insurance will now get a chance to go to the doctor but it is frustrating as I try to prepare my family for retirement that they keep sucking money out of me to pay for everyone else.
OK...totally selfish outlook. Bad me. I know there are people out there who haven't had the opportunities that I have had to succeed in life. I am glad they are getting help but every time the government 'helps' someone, it would be nice if I didn't have to pay for it.
Hey, Babe! I'm with you! Every time the government makes "improvements" in health care, almost every one who has insurance of any kind gets the shaft. I hope that you will not have to take any more treatments than what have been scheduled. Love you'ns forever. Mom
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. I had a heart transplant July 2nd, and the total cost of this is something over $800,000. To date, I haven't had to pay anything because at the present time I have excellent health insurance. Also, I have very good drug coverage, I am spending $250 monthly for medications, without the drug coverage I would be spending over $3,500 per month. I think a lot of people are going to be very unhappy with O'Bama's health care program. I am concerned about what might happen with my insurance after the first of the year.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your chemo. I admire the way you are handling your cancer. You & your family are in my prayers. God bless.
Paulette
We decided years ago that our Social Security with holding was going to our parents (specifically, our deductions) to help them. That was the only way we could stomach the deductions. I guess we'll have to "think" the same thing about medical care costs....we're taking care of Mom! :-) I'm just glad it's God taking care of us, and not the government!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Paulette -
ReplyDeleteThat is VERY expensive...wow...800,000. That's just crazy. Almost a million dollars for heart surgery. I was surprised at how little my surgeon actually got for my two surgeries compared to the 'facility fees' that were called out. On one surgery, they charged over $7,000 TWICE for facility fees. I went to the restroom twice before surgery...wonder if that was what it was for? HA! The actual surgeon charged under $1,000 for each surgery. It's all crazy. Thanks for visiting. 8-) Teresa
Hi Carol -
ReplyDeleteNot sure I agree with you brainwashing yourself into thinking that this change is for Mom. lol I think Mom was/is pretty well taken care of even before this change. I'm not sure I can go down that road. I honestly think the company I work for saw this as an excuse to cut their own expenses. Just My Humble Opinion, really. 8-)
I agree about the social security. I've always felt that was a pay it forward to our parents. I have no problem with that. I don't fool myself into thinking it will be around by the time I get to the SS receiving age. HA!
Love you, Sis.
Teresa.