Dumping health insurance

[undergroundrr]

So, our current health care regime is a socialist/corporatist Frankenstein's monster. It can only drive costs higher and quality lower.

I'm paying almost $400/mo. for a 70/30 plan with a $3000 deductible per person. Taking the kids to the doctor for well-checks ends up being $300 a pop. The deductible is never met, the prescription coverage never results in a discount. The only reason I'm making these outrageous payments is in case of an expensive medical catastrophe.

I am seriously considering taking myself and my family out of this stupid system (with my wife's agreement).

Am I completely alone in this?

I see no resources on the net for those who CHOOSE to be without health insurance. Only very uncomfortable uninsured people, scared to death of the unexpected $100,000 surgery, sadly lamenting that we haven't managed to socialize it yet.

There should be a movement for masses of Americans to OPT OUT of health insurance. To pay cash at the doctor's office. To shop and ask how much a procedure or exam costs before going through with it. To be proud to have jumped this stupid ship.

But Googling such a thing is totally fruitless.

[RSLudlum]

The only reason I'm making these outrageous payments is in case of an expensive medical catastrophe.

.

And even then the treatment may not be covered, make sure to review the covered/uncovered issues...It might be better for you to seek just a sole catastropic insurance policy and a savings account for health emergencies not covered, but if you're 'planning' on having more kids you should note that most of these policies don't cover pregnancy.

My wife and I have been discussing this issue too.

[undergroundrr]

Still, the catastrophic insurance is at least $169/mo. for the family. It's still $2000 a year to not have to pay the hypothetical $100,000 surgery. But under the BCBS plan I looked up, you'd STILL be paying $10,000 for anything over $50,000.

It all rests on the fear factor of the cost of a major procedure. People are frozen by that fear. They make the payments and turn a blind eye because confronting that fear is too great.

Yes, there is risk. Right now, the insurance companies are supposedly taking that risk on so that I don't have to. In the meantime, I'm just shovelling money into their pockets for virtually no purpose except to feed the fear.

[undergroundrr]

What I'm saying is I'm surprised more people haven't jumped the health insurance ship on principle. It's a government construct, fed by lobbying and corporate-fuelled legislation. Like the Fed, it's confusedly considered free-market even though it's totally a part of the state. Every dollar I pay into that system expands it, resulting in worse care, inflated costs and an even lousier health care outlook for my kids and eventual grandchildren.

[JenH88]

I'm surprised there aren't more here speaking up who have already opted out.

My family is completely self pay- take the money, save it up. Dr's and hospitals also always give discounts as well to self payers.

There's a great insurance alternative in the religious community, http://www.samaritanministries.org/ we've considered joining and may in the future.. this is what the liberty movement needs to start putting together, you pitch in some money each month and it goes to help whoever has the 'god forbid' medical expense come up- knowing that one day it may be you. Reminds me exactly how the Amish cover their own- no insurance, everyone saves and pays for health care needs in cash, everyone pitches in to help the 'god forbid situation'- we can take care of our own, and much more efficiently I might add- we need to just come together.

[heavenlyboy34]

The anti-insurance movement has been around for at least 2 years that I know of. It's a disgusting industry that leeches of people both directly and via gov'ment! :mad::p

[apc3161]

Still, the catastrophic insurance is at least $169/mo. for the family. It's still $2000 a year to not have to pay the hypothetical $100,000 surgery. But under the BCBS plan I looked up, you'd STILL be paying $10,000 for anything over $50,000.

It all rests on the fear factor of the cost of a major procedure. People are frozen by that fear. They make the payments and turn a blind eye because confronting that fear is too great.

Yes, there is risk. Right now, the insurance companies are supposedly taking that risk on so that I don't have to. In the meantime, I'm just shovelling money into their pockets for virtually no purpose except to feed the fear.

Coming from a family of doctors, I can tell you that if you need major surgery, it will be a lot more than $100,000. Typical bills will run in the $250,000 plus.

Insurance is exactly that, insurance for a catastrophe, something you can't afford. You hope it wont happen, but if it were, it would absolutely financially ruin your life, hence you need insurance for such an occasion.

Now, insurance for "checkups" etc don't in my mind meet the definition of "insurance". Those things are expected to happen regularly, and paying for them out of your own pocket is reasonable.

Those are my views.

[liberteebell]

You are not alone. I have had about all I can take from outrageous insurance premiums and stupid rules by which I have to play.

I would really, really, really like to get some Liberty minded doctors to get off that teat as well and show folks how much less expensive the free market can be.

[angelatc]

I'd like to see a return to the days when people paid for little stuff out of their pockets, and only carried major medical policies.

[roho76]

I agree with all of you. The medical industry should be run like Credit Unions. Not exactly but you know what I mean.

I mean how much does it cost to run a hospital in a community? Would the cost's of paying for a share in a Hospital be less than that of a health insurance plan that would allow you to go to the same Hospital for potentially worse health care?

[liberteebell]

i'd like to see a return to the days when people paid for little stuff out of their pockets, and only carried major medical policies.

+2008.

[Mini-Me]

Coming from a family of doctors, I can tell you that if you need major surgery, it will be a lot more than $100,000. Typical bills will run in the $250,000 plus.

Insurance is exactly that, insurance for a catastrophe, something you can't afford. You hope it wont happen, but if it were, it would absolutely financially ruin your life, hence you need insurance for such an occasion.

Now, insurance for "checkups" etc don't in my mind meet the definition of "insurance". Those things are expected to happen regularly, and paying for them out of your own pocket is reasonable.

Those are my views.

apc3161 is right. Although mandated HMO's have drastically inflated the cost of medical bills and health insurance itself, and even though it'd be nice to pay for everything small out of pocket (so doctors didn't have to charge the maximum, etc.), health insurance still also serves the valid purpose it would in a free market, even with all the baggage. The original purpose of health insurance was to pay small premiums to save your ass in case something unexpected happens...cancer, major surgery, etc, and while our screwed up system has high premiums and astronomical medical costs, insurance can still save your ass. The word "insurance" means exactly that. In general, I'd just consider those premiums part of your cost of living, since they're the most important payments you can make after paying for water, food, and shelter. As apc3161 said, huge medical bills can completely ruin your entire life financially, and if there are complications, consider yourself even further up shit creek without a paddle. Unless you have no house, no investments, and no life savings to lose in the event of bankruptcy, or unless you're so filthy rich that you can take the risk of such a huge hit without worrying about losing everything, you pretty much need health insurance. In other words, by my estimation, it's probably the middle class that needs health insurance the most. The corporate-fascist system in this country may be horribly broken and corrupt, and it may be driving up medical costs to astronomical levels...but until it gets better (we succeed at scaling back government) or worse (full-out socialized health care), we're pretty much stuck with it, and we have to make the best choice we can from the options we're given.

[fedup100]

If you can afford the $400.00 per month, you should try to self insure. Set aside that much every month and keep your fingers crossed. If you can make it for two years, you will have enough to sigh with relief.

There are Christian organizations that will also let you join their groups of self insure. Their monthly fees are far less than you are paying and they pay all you medical bills if you need care. No deductible or other nonsense.

This set up has threatened the money hogs in health care.......

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/54785.php

The fed gov can't let people help themselves, it isn't profitable. This needs to be expanded and fought for in the State gov.

http://www.tccm.org/

[tajitj]

True, when I get out the the Amry and need civilian health coverage this is my plan. Get catastrphic, supplemental and a health saving network. Forget traditional insurance.

I had Blue Cross, and like you never meet my yearly $1000 deductable. I ended up paying thousands anyway when my apendix burst.

I like the idea of the Health Saving Network. I bought stock in a company that offers this. It is very simple. For like $40 a month, you get discounts from 20% to 50% on the whole range of healthcare needs. You pay at the time of service so health providers do not have to mess with the insurance paperwork. I know Dr. Paul likes the idea of pay as you go medical care. For $10 a month you can just get prescription drug and visioncare savings.

Site
http://www.carexpresshealth.com/Carexpresshealth/join1.asp

[DamianTV]

Kind of OT, but have a question...

How come Viagra is covered under some insurance policies but not Birth Control?:rolleyes:

[.Tom]

I've been considering this exact same thing lately. I'm going to take responsibility for myself and my family and get out of this socialist scheme.

[tmosley]

Yup, HSA is the way to go. I love it. My company pays for my catastrophic coverage. I just set aside what I can, and watch it pile up. Once I get enough to cover a few years worth of deductibles, you can slow or stop your contributions.

[orafi]

So, our current health care regime is a socialist/corporatist Frankenstein's monster. It can only drive costs higher and quality lower.

I'm paying almost $400/mo. for a 70/30 plan with a $3000 deductible per person. Taking the kids to the doctor for well-checks ends up being $300 a pop. The deductible is never met, the prescription coverage never results in a discount. The only reason I'm making these outrageous payments is in case of an expensive medical catastrophe.

I am seriously considering taking myself and my family out of this stupid system (with my wife's agreement).

Am I completely alone in this?

I see no resources on the net for those who CHOOSE to be without health insurance. Only very uncomfortable uninsured people, scared to death of the unexpected $100,000 surgery, sadly lamenting that we haven't managed to socialize it yet.

There should be a movement for masses of Americans to OPT OUT of health insurance. To pay cash at the doctor's office. To shop and ask how much a procedure or exam costs before going through with it. To be proud to have jumped this stupid ship.

But Googling such a thing is totally fruitless.

i've never had health insurance in the first place, and don't plan on getting any in the near future.

[Fox McCloud]

I'd like to see this system re-emerge: http://libertariannation.org/a/f12l3.html