NLIC.org

Javier Said:

What would the premiums cost for government health insurance?

We Answered:

That is a good question. A whole lot of people are going to be disappointed when they find out they they will be forced to buy health insurance otherwise facing a fine. I don't really see how that is reform. People can choose to go out and buy insurance now, so what is the advantage? And how will costs be controlled? In some states, like California where I live, auto insurance is mandatory. Instead of decreasing costs, providers charge more, as anyone who has taken their car in for collision damage sees when comparing payed for by insurance vs. out of pocket for the same work (my truck, for example, was quoted as costing $1300 to $1500 to take out a dent while out of pocket it would only be $600).

If anything, Obama and Congress are legislating a massive "gimmie" to the insurance companies. In the end, I think they are really going to mess up the system so badly that people will be begging for a single payer system in a few years. That is horrible, as the 80% of us that are happy with our health care will be screwed over being forced into an inferior system.

Leona Said:

Who here would oppose the cost of their health insurance premiums going down by say 50% or more?

We Answered:

Well, as insurance is based on "sharing costs", and right now insurance companies pay out about 99% of the premium dollar, in claims, how exactly do you expect to cut costs in half, while still maintaining the same level of coverage?

The average American, according to Consumer Reports, incurred just over $7,000 in medical costs, in 2007. That was three years ago. So, on average, a family of three, incurrs $21,000 of claims.

What's wrong with the inflated cost of health insurance, is how much we, as Americans, spend on health CARE. We go to the ER for an ear infection ($800)- or just to get checked out to see if something is wrong after a car accident ($5,000, including MRI). We visit the doctor for a cold ($120). We insist on medications to lower our blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, instead of dieting and excercises ($800 per month). We insist upon hospital births for low risk women ($10,000) where we then have a 40% chance of a c-section ($26,000) and ensuing complications, because it makes the hospitals more money. Don't even get me started on $25,000 and up for weight loss surgery.

The obvious answer, is to either cut coverage back, or stop using the MOST EXPENSIVE methods to treat our issues. How to do that?

Well, as long as we, the health care CONSUMER, don't have to actually pay the bill for the health CARE, well, we want the mostest and the bestest! It's not our dollar, and we want to get the biggest bang for our insurance buck (regardless of the fact that we're driving up prices for everyone else).

So, in a nutshell:

1. put mechanisms in place to allow people to price shop for services - ie, make the doctors publish their rates per procedure/service. Right now, one doctor charges five people five different fees, and you NEVER KNOW how much it's going to cost you, until AFTER you see the doc.

2. limit insurance payouts to flat fee per procedure, so that if you want that $5,000 mri instead of the $250 cat scan, you can get it - but YOU pay the difference. Have an ear infection? We'll pay $50, you can go to the ER and pay the $750 balance, or go to your doc and pay the $25 balance, your call.

3. tort reform - puntative damages must be capped at 3X monetary damages, and be made exempt from the attorney cut.

4. doctor compensation has to include "wellness" payments - right now, they get paid more, the more they test, the more they intervene.

5. Reform the way pharmaceutical companies can apply for patents. Turning a 4 hour drug into a long release of effectively the same formula, should NOT grant a new exclusive patent. Generic drugs are your friend. STOP MASS MARKETING OF DRUGS.

Laura Said:

Is anyone else seeing a bump in cost with their health insurance premiums because of Obamacare?

We Answered:

We had 3 options before, now we have one lousy one (BC/BS). Barely a step above COBRA. This was done in anticipation of the "exchange" coming online and the penalties placed on employers.

Since our previous insurer actually paid for things, it was considered a cadillac plan and would be subject to heavy penalties. My employer went to one that meets the standards anticipated for the exchange plans. (which basically means Medicare/Medicaid level coverage)

So no, I don't pay a lot more, but now I don't really have insurance. It exists on paper but doesn't cover much more than routine check-ups. THANK YOU OBAMACARE!

Zachary Said:

Why do insurance premiums not drop as car value does?

We Answered:

Actually, the collision part of your insurance is based on the vehicle's estimated value, but, unfortunately, the overwhelming expense for the insurance company is litigation and liability coverage - these medical and legal costs far exceed simply paying for the value of the vehicles involved in an accident.