SicKo- Seen it?

[Clodfobble]

HM, there are lots of forms of insurance that are profitable. I think the biggest problem with health insurance is the loss of competition due to health insurance being a standard employment benefit. I can't reasonably change providers even if I'm unhappy with them, because my employer (my husband's employer, whatever) chooses the plan. And their main concern is cost; employee satisfaction is somewhere in there but definitely not as important.

In my ideal health care system, 2 major changes need to occur:

1.) No more employer-provided benefits. Everyone pays for their own insurance (salaries are raised accordingly to reflect this change), and they are free to shop around among providers.

2.) Catastrophic coverage becomes the norm. The insurance model in general is designed to cover disasters, not generally subsidize everything so you pay a $15 copay on your $35 prescription. No other type of insurance does this--my auto insurance doesn't have me pay a copay on my oil changes, they just cover the unexpected $2000 wreck. And auto insurance is competitive and profitable for the providers.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

HM, there are lots of forms of insurance that are profitable.

Yes, but they are against events that are unlikely. What are the chances that someone in your family will be hospitalized at some point?

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

2.) Catastrophic coverage becomes the norm. The insurance model in general is designed to cover disasters, not generally subsidize everything so you pay a $15 copay on your $35 prescription. No other type of insurance does this--my auto insurance doesn't have me pay a copay on my oil changes, they just cover the unexpected $2000 wreck. And auto insurance is competitive and profitable for the providers.

I've thought this before too, but what about the "stitch in time saves a dime" argument? If someone has to shell out $300 to have a regular preventative care doctor's visit instead of $25, they are less likely to get those regular checkups, and less likely to seek medical attention until the problem is severe and much more costly to remedy. There should be a financial incentive to take care of yourself. (I cringe typing that, because good health should be enough of a reward, but I honestly think for most people money is a bigger motivator.)