(08/05/09) "Sick For Profit" (YouTube)

[Spang]

Fight back against health insurance lies

[CGP]

What's so great about private health insurance? (http://www.commongroundpolitics.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=47866)

[karate kid x]

the health insurance company's number 1 priority is to deny you. Being civil and patient doesn't work. When they deny your claim, you should get ready to bring a lawyer

[Spang]

They have a website (http://sickforprofit.com/).

[CGP]

the health insurance company's number 1 priority is to deny you.

Correct.

Why don't more people understand this basic principle of the for-profit health insurance industry? The way to make money is to deny coverage/payment. It's so basic, and yet so few people "get it". :confused:

It baffles me.

[Spang]

Why don't more people understand this basic principle of the for-profit health insurance industry?

They'd rather compare Obama to Hitler or communism or socialism or tyranny or...

[hillary4change]

I agree that the insurance companies are making way too much in profits, while denying claims that should be paid.

I am all for health insurance reform. The insurance companies are in the drivers seat and the patients suffer.

Having said that, I no longer have faith that my government can manage a hang nail, never mind healthcare, so I am against the bill in its current form. I would like to see a bill drafted by all political persuasions. Truly non partisan.

[CGP]

How can a for-profit health insurance company make money?

1) Maximize revenue

2) Minimize costs

One way to maximize revenue? Overcharge for premiums.

One way to minimize costs? Deny coverage/payment for medical treatments as often as the company can get away with.

What part of this basic equation don't people get?

Who/what does a for-profit health insurance company care more about? Your health or their profits? Mmm...I wonder...:thinking:

[karate kid x]

I am all for health insurance reform. The insurance companies are in the drivers seat and the patients suffer.


That's only true if you believe it to be true.

The moment when you think there's nothing you can do against the insurance companies is the moment they win. don't defeat yourself.

I've known people who've gotten denied, and then called back the insurance companies and got the money.

[CGP]

I agree that the insurance companies are making way too much in profits, while denying claims that should be paid.

I am all for health insurance reform. The insurance companies are in the drivers seat and the patients suffer.

Having said that, I no longer have faith that my government can manage a hang nail, never mind healthcare, so I am against the bill in its current form. I would like to see a bill drafted by all political persuasions. Truly non partisan.

And, if more people in America cared to look at how other countries do things, they would realize that there is absolutely no need for an "all private" or an "all public" system. The best healthcare systems are those that combine both both private and public elements into a blended system and more truly maximizing patient choice.

http://www.commongroundpolitics.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=47865

[CGP]

I've known people who've gotten denied, and then called back the insurance companies and got the money.

It happens all the time.

The insurance company will deny, deny, deny...and hope the customer doesn't have the energy/will to fight it. When they realize the customer is willing to fight, fight, fight, they will often given in. It's a game that is played daily. It's pretty disgusting actually.

[hillary4change]

That's only true if you believe it to be true.

The moment when you think there's nothing you can do against the insurance companies is the moment they win. don't defeat yourself.

I've known people who've gotten denied, and then called back the insurance companies and got the money.
I am not being a defeatist. I am saying reform. I worked as a Patient Liaison for 6 years. I ran a drug program for indigent people. I helped to FORCE the insurance companies to pay for P.E.T scans, MRI, I.V antibiotic therapy on an out pt basis etc. I understand all that.

And, if more people in America cared to look at how other countries do things, they would realize that there is absolutely no need for an "all private" or an "all public" system. The best healthcare systems are those that combine both both private and public elements into a blended system and more truly maximizing patient choice.

http://www.commongroundpolitics.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=47865
I also understand your point here Murray, but obama and franks both have said that they are looking toward an all public system in the future, and this has people genuinely scared. I don't like it either.

I already have issues with obama and don't trust what he says or what he will do.

I don't understand why people don't get that!

This is America, we want choices.

[hillary4change]

It happens all the time.

The insurance company will deny, deny, deny...and hope the customer doesn't have the energy/will to fight it. When they realize the customer is willing to fight, fight, fight, they will often given in. It's a game that is played daily. It's pretty disgusting actually.
I work in insurance right now. One of the things I do is "claim clean up" I go into claims that have not paid and call the insurance company and fight for the payment. This is before the patient even knows there is a problem with payment to begin with. I know how the game is played. I play it every day.

[foxyladi]

I work in insurance right now. One of the things I do is "claim clean up" I go into claims that have not paid and call the insurance company and fight for the payment. This is before the patient even knows there is a problem with payment to begin with. I know how the game is played. I play it every day.

wow..those folks are lucky to have you on their side.:thumbsup:H4C.

[NativeSun]

How can a for-profit health insurance company make money?

1) Maximize revenue

2) Minimize costs

One way to maximize revenue? Overcharge for premiums.

One way to minimize costs? Deny coverage/payment for medical treatments as often as the company can get away with.

What part of this basic equation don't people get?

Who/what does a for-profit health insurance company care more about? Your health or their profits? Mmm...I wonder...:thinking:

And what's to prevent the governmemt run plan from doing the same? You wanna get me on board with this government run plan? Here's what needs to happen: require that members of congress and federal workers can only get this plan as part of their health care coverage. Then I know it will be top-notch.

[Tybee]

"For every premium dollar that they take in, about 83 cents goes out in medical costs -- doctors, hospitals, and drugs," says Carl McDonald, health insurance analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. The rest is spent on overhead. Net income comes to just a few cents per dollar of premiums.

Consider WellPoint, the biggest private health insurer on Wall Street, which has about 35 million customers nationwide. Last year, it paid out 83.6% of revenues in expenses. Net, after-tax income as a percentage of total revenue came to a princely 4.1%.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124947013703607453.html

[hillary4change]

And what's to prevent the governmemt run plan from doing the same? You wanna get me on board with this government run plan? Here's what needs to happen: require that members of congress and federal workers can only get this plan as part of their health care coverage. Then I know it will be top-notch.
That is a fantastic idea!

[foxyladi]

That is a fantastic idea!

hillarystamp!