# Who is really pleased with their current health insurance? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 25, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667 "2009-08-25T19:05:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Maia\_s\_Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Maia\_s\_Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maia_s_Well)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/61 "2009-08-28T20:19:53Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > I hadn’t read his post, just yours. Being on the plan is not necessarily fraud. > Since he is aware that he is uneligible and is using it anyway, then it most likely is. HIPAA made health insurance fraud a federal crime and the penalty can be up to 10 years in prison. Though the most likely scenario is that they would just remove him from the plan if discovered. Another possibility that seems very likely from what I’ve learned is that, if **wierdaaron** suffers some expensive illness or accident (heaven forbid), the insurance company will shortly discover he was not entitled to coverage, and will refuse to pay. Which they can legally do. And they’re not likely to go sniffing around and figure it out before such an occurance, 'cause dropping him now would end their ability to collect the premiums for his coverage. As always, somebody please correct me if I’m wrong. **Oh wierd one** , getcha some good coverage as soon as you can, darlin’. I don’t think you can really consider yourself covered with your current situation. (And your posts have been a delight to read, so it’s in my interest for you to take care of your little self!) ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/62 "2009-08-29T03:06:40Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > So I am just kind of curious, who is completely pleased with their health insurance coverage, thinking they get excellent value for their money, and are unable to identify any way that their insurance - or the manner in which health care is provided in the US - could be improved? I’m pleased as punch with my health insurance. Excellent value for the money? Hard to argue that since it doesn’t cost anything and it covers everything. Well ok, I guess there could be lower copays for contact lenses, maybe no copays anywhere in the whole deal, but lets be realistic. I’m pretty sure I could even see a shrink if I wanted to, and probably not a bad idea now that I think of it… The catch is that I hardly use it, so I’m no expert on the way care is provided. > [@](#): > > Second question - millions of Americans do not have health insurance. Are you fine with that? Is the best possible system for them to receive their health care in public clinics and emergency rooms? If not, do you have specific recommendations for how they can be given access to basic health care? I think everyone ought to be able to see a doctor and get basic care. Need a heart transplant? You might have just run out of luck. -Specific recommendations? Hm, as a compromise with the opposition, maybe some kind of nefarious criteria can be defined to deny certain people the public option. Maybe felons don’t get it for instance. Fuck you, felon! It’d deter crime to boot. Illegal immigrants? Not too controversial either. -Tax the rich. Don’t run barking mad with the concept however. -Allow the public option to reduce- but not destroy- the insurance industry. Let’s free up some of those people to do something more productive than push pencils. I know, how about jobs in the health sector? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/63 "2009-08-29T03:37:01Z")
[Without Reform, Health Insurance Premiums Could Double By 2020 | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/23/without-reform-health-ins_n_266589.html) Without fixing health care it will likely double in cost by 2020. They will pass more along to employees or cut benefits. Health care has gone up much faster than inflation for decades. So saying you might like it now is thinking short term. you are going to like it less and less in the future. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/64 "2009-08-29T03:55:18Z")
I am so flipping grateful to have health insurance at all that I don’t think a lot about whether it’s awesome or not. We had a scare recently where my husband’s employer decided to drop major medical. No health insurance. Go get insured privately, they said. _Awesome_. I’m a thyroid cancer survivor. My son has cystic fibrosis. There is no high-risk state-sponsored insurance in our state. Instead, they passed a law that you must be accepted by an insurance company, regardless of medical conditions, if you have had continuous coverage. So what happens is that the insurance companies price your premiums so high that you can’t possibly pay them. My son is covered by Medicaid (special-needs adoption), so we left him off the application. It came back just for my husband and me. The company would insure us for $2500/month, and a $7500 annual deductible. So if we paid premiums for 12 months and met the deductible, we’d be paying $37500 _per year_ for basic health coverage. I don’t want to hear any crap about people who make $50000/year being able to afford insurance if they’d make it a priority. First, we _don’t_ make $50K. Even if we did, under those circumstances, it wouldn’t work. Say you lose 15% in taxes. You’ve got $42,500 left. After paying premiums and deductible, you have $5000 left to live on for the rest of the year. You know, for things like food and shelter. At the very least, I think the government needs to offer a universal, reasonable option for people who aren’t served by the commercial insurance industry. Otherwise, we’re throwing to the wolves the very people who need help most. Is that really who we want to be? ---
**Author:** ![StaudtCJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@StaudtCJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaudtCJ)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/65 "2009-08-29T06:18:57Z")
_clap __clap__ clap_ No snark. That’s probably the best factual support I’ve seen for a public health insurance option. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/66 "2009-08-29T13:36:55Z")
> [@StuffLikeThatThere](#): > > … Is that really who we want to be? Well, it’s who we are, and change is risky. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/67 "2009-08-29T15:24:15Z")
I have United Healthcare and it’s been awesome. It’s only about $360 a month for a family plan (there’s five of us, this cost also includes our dental coverage, which is seperate), the copays are cheap ($15 for doctor visit, $100 ER visit) and my lone prescription (Lisinopril) is $4 for 30 pills. My old plan was just awful by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/68 "2009-08-29T16:20:43Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Possibly, but not necessarily. If for example he was on as a minor but aged off of the policy and wasn’t removed (as should have been caught by the company) then he has not commited fraud. It is most certainly fraud. Insurance is a contract, which means that both sides have to play by the rules of the contract. Just because the insurer doesn’t catch it doesn’t mean that the policyholder is off the hook; he was obligated to inform the insurer that his son aged off and should be dropped. Besides, think of it this way. Let’s say that your friend had a catastrophic accident or illness and the insurance company denied the claims on the basis of eligibility. The hospital and/or doctor might not have a sense of humor about it if he was hoping to sneak in under the radar. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is becoming vigorous in its prosecution of insurance fraud and might also not have a sense of humor about it. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/69 "2009-08-29T16:56:54Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > It is most certainly fraud. Insurance is a contract, which means that both sides have to play by the rules of the contract. Just because the insurer doesn’t catch it doesn’t mean that the policyholder is off the hook; he was obligated to inform the insurer that his son aged off and should be dropped. I hesitated to say it is legally insurance fraud since we didn’t have any other detail. I’m fully aware of what insurance is as I’ve made my living from it for 15 years. (which is also why I mostly avoid the healthcare reform discussions) ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/70 "2009-08-29T19:51:47Z")
How can an insurance company not know that a kid has aged off of the policy? Isn’t the child’s birthday part of the policy? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/71 "2009-08-29T20:22:38Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > How can an insurance company not know that a kid has aged off of the policy? Isn’t the child’s birthday part of the policy? Our insurance at work kicks people off automatically. If the kid is still in school, you need to send a notification, otherwise, they’re off. ---
**Author:** ![Maia\_s\_Well](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Maia\_s\_Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maia_s_Well)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/72 "2009-08-29T20:54:22Z")
I’d like to ask, of all those who are happy with their coverage: Do you worry about being dropped, having claims denied, or having premiums raised significantly if you become seriously injured or ill? As some of the posters in this thread have reported happening to them? I realize that if you’re happy with coverage provided through your job, you probably don’t have to worry about the former (being dropped) or the latter (premiums raised). But what about the middler (mediator? mediuminizer? the one in the middle), having claims rejected. But in that case, do you worry about leaving your job because of how much your COBRA might cost, or because you’re afraid of not being able to get another job with insurance? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/73 "2009-08-29T21:04:44Z")
> [@Maia\_s\_Well](#): > > But in that case, do you worry about leaving your job because of how much your COBRA might cost, or because you’re afraid of not being able to get another job with insurance? > > Just curious. I don’t really worry about it, since I would have to go seriously off the rails–like embezzlement or assault–to lose my job, but I’m very aware of how narrow my range of options is. When my husband was alive, it was scarier, since I had to ensure his care, too. I no longer have anyone dependent on me, but most people do. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/74 "2009-08-29T21:05:34Z")
[http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/140918/we've\_been\_trapped\_inside\_a\_bad\_health\_care\_system\_so\_long%2C\_we\_don't\_even\_know\_how\_much\_we're\_missing\_/?page=1](http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/140918/we%27ve_been_trapped_inside_a_bad_health_care_system_so_long%2C_we_don%27t_even_know_how_much_we%27re_missing_/?page=1) Countries that provide health care take it out of lives decisions. In America you nhave insurance as part of every life choice. Can you start a business? You have to think about what happens if you get sick or get in an accident. Are you sick of your job? You have to think about losing insurance coverage if you quit. Insurance infects our lives. It requires a cure. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/75 "2009-08-29T21:06:07Z")
> [@Maia\_s\_Well](#): > > I’d like to ask, of all those who are happy with their coverage: > > Do you worry about being dropped, having claims denied, or having premiums raised significantly if you become seriously injured or ill? As some of the posters in this thread have reported happening to them? > > I realize that if you’re happy with coverage provided through your job, you probably don’t have to worry about the former (being dropped) or the latter (premiums raised). But what about the middler (mediator? mediuminizer? the one in the middle), having claims rejected. But in that case, do you worry about leaving your job because of how much your COBRA might cost, or because you’re afraid of not being able to get another job with insurance? > > Just curious. My health coverage is great but I am on COBRA and it is subsidized my former employer for half. It is very, very expensive now and will be insanely expensive once they cut off the subsidy in December if if I don’t get another professional job but I will still have to keep it no matter what. Me and my family are uninsurable privately and I will be for life. I always have to work for companies that have group health coverage. I have to refuse interviews with companies that don’t have good health insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/76 "2009-08-29T23:13:20Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > [http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/140918/we've\_been\_trapped\_inside\_a\_bad\_health\_care\_system\_so\_long%2C\_we\_don't\_even\_know\_how\_much\_we're\_missing\_/?page=1](http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/140918/we%27ve_been_trapped_inside_a_bad_health_care_system_so_long%2C_we_don%27t_even_know_how_much_we%27re_missing_/?page=1) > Countries that provide health care take it out of lives decisions. In America you nhave insurance as part of every life choice. > Can you start a business? You have to think about what happens if you get sick or get in an accident. Are you sick of your job? You have to think about losing insurance coverage if you quit. > Insurance infects our lives. It requires a cure. I can - I have an HSA/HDCP. I have said it elsewhere, but I love having the option to myself, with no interference. I understand it’s not right for everyone, but it’s 110% better than what we got under my husband’s employer. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/77 "2009-08-30T00:04:59Z")
> [@Maia\_s\_Well](#): > > I’d like to ask, of all those who are happy with their coverage: > > Do you worry about being dropped, having claims denied, or having premiums raised significantly if you become seriously injured or ill? As some of the posters in this thread have reported happening to them? > > I realize that if you’re happy with coverage provided through your job, you probably don’t have to worry about the former (being dropped) or the latter (premiums raised). But what about the middler (mediator? mediuminizer? the one in the middle), having claims rejected. But in that case, do you worry about leaving your job because of how much your COBRA might cost, or because you’re afraid of not being able to get another job with insurance? > > Just curious. Dropped, no, claims denied no, premiums raised perhaps. It’s 100% covered right now but might not always be so. That is, I know it could happen but I don’t worry about it. I’ve been without coverage before and could again. But I don’t have any fear of not getting another job if needed. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/78 "2009-08-30T00:07:42Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > [http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/140918/we've\_been\_trapped\_inside\_a\_bad\_health\_care\_system\_so\_long%2C\_we\_don't\_even\_know\_how\_much\_we're\_missing\_/?page=1](http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/140918/we%27ve_been_trapped_inside_a_bad_health_care_system_so_long%2C_we_don%27t_even_know_how_much_we%27re_missing_/?page=1) > Countries that provide health care take it out of lives decisions. In America you nhave insurance as part of every life choice. > Can you start a business? You have to think about what happens if you get sick or get in an accident. Are you sick of your job? You have to think about losing insurance coverage if you quit. > Insurance infects our lives. It requires a cure. I could certainly start a business. Group coverage is guaranteed issue in california for a business with two people. If I get sick or get in an accident it’s taken care of. Sick of my job? I’d quit and find something else. I’m not overly concerned about it. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/79 "2009-08-30T00:28:54Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > I could certainly start a business. Group coverage is guaranteed issue in california for a business with two people. If I get sick or get in an accident it’s taken care of. Sick of my job? I’d quit and find something else. I’m not overly concerned about it. Not just about you. Some people have long term illnesses and take drugs every day. Diabetics can work and get along fine as long as they have access to doctors and the right treatments. Can they just walk off because they are abused at work? Can a healthy person who doesn’t feel quite right make a move. Many jobs require a 90 day waiting period before thee employer offers coverage. Flu season is coming. People in other countries do not have to give a moments thought to these problems. So which system is better? Better for your health and which gives you mental freedom from the potential problems. Health care is a 2 step problem. Those with respectable care have no guarantee that it will be there tomorrow. Just saying I have good coverage today is not enough. Health care coverage has been eroding for decades. They cover a bit less, ask for bigger copays, get a larger employee contribution and it never ends. Think about what you will have in ten years. Then remember in many countries they never have to give it a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667/80 "2009-08-30T00:32:17Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Not just about you. I was simply answering the questions you posed. I didn’t realize it was rhetorical. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667.md?page=5)