My life is embarrassingly dull right now as I am in the middle of finals. So, I will rant about the American healthcare system a little more. I could write a book about what I've learned so far but I'll focus on one story:
My friend is a high school teacher who you would think would have decent medical coverage. However, he has a $500 deductible. His wife is pretty sure she has a thyroid condition and needs to have a physical by a doctor including blood work to confirm. The problem is that this exam costs $250. Since this is less than the deductible she has to pay for the exam out of pocket. Since her husband's salary has to pay for tuition, rent, car payments, food, etc they can't afford for her to go to the doctor to get this test and ultimately to get the medication she needs (and also can't afford). So they're going to wait until they've saved up enough money.
Isn't this wild? Further, if he wants to get a physical exam by a doctor he can't combine his bill with hers so that any further medical expenses would be paid by the insurance company (because two $250 exams would equal their deductible). Each person gets billed separately so it's even harder to get to that $500 if all you want is routine preventative medical care.
If someone with a good job can't afford basic healthcare, imagine what those less fortunate are going through.
On an Easter-related note, this is ridiculous.
2 comments:
CNN has run a series of articles (eg. http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20245390,00.html) on what you should do to make the most of use your health care if you're laid off.
The scary part is that if you are identified with any kind of health condition within about a year of when your health coverage expires, it's considered a pre-existing condition and not covered by a new plan... so, many of these articles warn people NOT to get medical tests before their coverage expires.
Any system which warns you against trying to catch serious diseases early is fundamentally broken..
"America is the greatest, best country God ever gave man."
- Sean Hannity
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