3 ms·

But also, the patient paid for health insurance for the explicit reason that insurance provides protection against surprise costs, often paying thousands of dol

by bb88 3y ago

But also, the patient paid for health insurance for the explicit reason that insurance provides protection against surprise costs, often paying thousands of dollars per year for it. So fuck the patient? That's the current regime.

nradov 3y ago
You may have a misunderstanding of medical insurance. Such policies are very specific and never promised blanket protection against surprise costs. Let's say you crash your car and take it to an auto body shop for repair. If for some reason your auto insurance doesn't pay for the repairs would you tell the mechanic to fuck off and eat the cost? I understand there are issues in healthcare with price transparency and estimates, but the basic principle is the same. Regardless of insurance or lack thereof, customers are obligated to pay for services they receive.
- bb88 3y ago
  You must be confused about how health insurance works in the US, as well as the effectiveness of a bad analogy. Also people who disagree with your must certainly be ignorant -- particularly on HN. > If for some reason your auto insurance doesn't pay for the repairs would you tell the mechanic to fuck off and eat the cost? I have a free choice of both auto insurance and car mechanic. On the other hand I may not have a choice about health insurance company (usually from the employer) or the emergency room I'm sent in the ambulance to -- particularly if I'm unconscious.
  - nradov 3y ago
    Actually I am quite familiar with how health insurance works in the US. If you don't like the plans available through your employer you are welcome to buy another policy elsewhere. You have free choice, although you might lose your employer's subsidy.
    - supertrope 3y ago
      That employer subsidy is a massive difference! e.g. Your payroll deduction is $50 per pay period. The deductible is $2000 per year. Out of pocket max $4000. The network is wide. This is because your employer is paying for the other 85% of this plan and employed people need less medical services on average than the public as a whole. You switch to a plan off Healthcare.gov. It costs $500/mo. Deductible is $8000/year and out of pocket max is $15000. The network of providers is only in one state and only at one brand. I don't think anyone would actually reject a cushy employer plan for an exchange plan.

by bb88 3y ago

nradov 3y ago

You may have a misunderstanding of medical insurance. Such policies are very specific and never promised blanket protection against surprise costs. Let's say you crash your car and take it to an auto body shop for repair. If for some reason your auto insurance doesn't pay for the repairs would you tell the mechanic to fuck off and eat the cost? I understand there are issues in healthcare with price transparency and estimates, but the basic principle is the same. Regardless of insurance or lack thereof, customers are obligated to pay for services they receive.

bb88 3y ago
You must be confused about how health insurance works in the US, as well as the effectiveness of a bad analogy. Also people who disagree with your must certainly be ignorant -- particularly on HN. > If for some reason your auto insurance doesn't pay for the repairs would you tell the mechanic to fuck off and eat the cost? I have a free choice of both auto insurance and car mechanic. On the other hand I may not have a choice about health insurance company (usually from the employer) or the emergency room I'm sent in the ambulance to -- particularly if I'm unconscious.
- nradov 3y ago
  Actually I am quite familiar with how health insurance works in the US. If you don't like the plans available through your employer you are welcome to buy another policy elsewhere. You have free choice, although you might lose your employer's subsidy.
  - supertrope 3y ago
    That employer subsidy is a massive difference! e.g. Your payroll deduction is $50 per pay period. The deductible is $2000 per year. Out of pocket max $4000. The network is wide. This is because your employer is paying for the other 85% of this plan and employed people need less medical services on average than the public as a whole. You switch to a plan off Healthcare.gov. It costs $500/mo. Deductible is $8000/year and out of pocket max is $15000. The network of providers is only in one state and only at one brand. I don't think anyone would actually reject a cushy employer plan for an exchange plan.