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But what about when it isn't an immediate emergency? There are plenty of healthcare needs where you totally do have time to shop around and find the best bang f

But what about when it isn't an immediate emergency? There are plenty of healthcare needs where you totally do have time to shop around and find the best bang for your buck, if the system let you do that. (There could be a startup idea in there, even. A simple website to help find the most effective, cheapest endoscopy or wisdom tooth extraction or STI test or mole check or whatever.)

slamdance 9y ago
That is the underlying problem though. There is no "shopping around". Either your plan allows it, or does not. If you need a procedure, your choices are effectively limited to who is on your coverage list. FWIW, I live in an area where there is ONE healthcare option (Racketeering/monopoly). I (as an independent consultant) pay $1640/mo for a $5,000 family deductible. So basically, I pay over $19,000/year for the PRIVILEGE of paying another $5,000 and that's assuming I only go to the doctors "they allow" me to go to. (it was $800/mo for a $1500 family deductible prior to ACA). Obama can EABOD. The only people who like the ACA are the people who don't have to pay for it. Edit: Also I was in an MVA in July, the Emergency Dept. didn't accept my insurance at all - so who gets the bill? I do. The MVA wasn't my fault, but that bill is still my responsibility.
- wombatpm 9y ago
  The auto insurance company. That is why you have medical on your policy. Of course you may have to sue someone to get it. That's another crazy part of our system. Medical coverage is baked into your health insurance, your auto insurance, your property insurance, workman's comp insurance. A medicare for all plan, should require comensurate decreases in all of those policy areas.
  - slamdance 9y ago
    Yeah, it will take a lawsuit, and that, I am told will take ~18 months +/-. I'm on the hook until then. So far, with lost work, PT and imaging, I'm already out almost $20k
maxxxxx 9y ago
There is no shopping around because nobody will give you a price.

slamdance 9y ago

That is the underlying problem though. There is no "shopping around". Either your plan allows it, or does not. If you need a procedure, your choices are effectively limited to who is on your coverage list. FWIW, I live in an area where there is ONE healthcare option (Racketeering/monopoly). I (as an independent consultant) pay $1640/mo for a $5,000 family deductible. So basically, I pay over $19,000/year for the PRIVILEGE of paying another $5,000 and that's assuming I only go to the doctors "they allow" me to go to. (it was $800/mo for a $1500 family deductible prior to ACA). Obama can EABOD. The only people who like the ACA are the people who don't have to pay for it. Edit: Also I was in an MVA in July, the Emergency Dept. didn't accept my insurance at all - so who gets the bill? I do. The MVA wasn't my fault, but that bill is still my responsibility.

wombatpm 9y ago
The auto insurance company. That is why you have medical on your policy. Of course you may have to sue someone to get it. That's another crazy part of our system. Medical coverage is baked into your health insurance, your auto insurance, your property insurance, workman's comp insurance. A medicare for all plan, should require comensurate decreases in all of those policy areas.
- slamdance 9y ago
  Yeah, it will take a lawsuit, and that, I am told will take ~18 months +/-. I'm on the hook until then. So far, with lost work, PT and imaging, I'm already out almost $20k

maxxxxx 9y ago

There is no shopping around because nobody will give you a price.