Comments on: 8 Ways to Save on Health Care, No Matter Who Wins the Election http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/ Adventures in being sick, getting better, staying well, from the editors of Health.com Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:52:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Benefits http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-4249 Benefits Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:35:38 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-4249 I work with insurance through my employer (we are self insured). I gave the following recommendation to my friends (both in their early 60's, one with a heart condition). Their premium went from $1,900 per month to $600. How? I suggested they self insure. They researched and found a policy with a $10,000 deductible. I told them to take the $1,300 monthly premium saving and put it in the bank. In a little over 7 months they would have their deductible. If they did not need to use all the deductible, it was money in their pocket. The first two years they had little medical care (under $5,000). They estimate their savings at approximately $26,000+. May not work for all but it may be worth looking in to. I work with insurance through my employer (we are self insured). I gave the following recommendation to my friends (both in their early 60’s, one with a heart condition). Their premium went from $1,900 per month to $600. How?

I suggested they self insure. They researched and found a policy with a $10,000 deductible. I told them to take the $1,300 monthly premium saving and put it in the bank. In a little over 7 months they would have their deductible. If they did not need to use all the deductible, it was money in their pocket. The first two years they had little medical care (under $5,000). They estimate their savings at approximately $26,000+. May not work for all but it may be worth looking in to.

]]> By: trish http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2521 trish Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:57:52 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2521 As the grandparent of a grandson born with Cystic Fibrosis, I have to endorse a candidate who says no one will be able to be denied coverage. At 28 months he takes almost 30 pills each day as well as has nebulizer and breathing treatments. My son-in-law will likely need to change jobs - he's in management at one of the "Big 3" automakers. If they can't get coverage for my grandson, it will literally bankrupt them - and the rest of us - if we have to pay for all of his care. I feel that in our country, health care is a right and that no one should be denied. $5000 for a family is a joke. It may be hard to get the reforms passed, but we must try for those who can not get insurance. As the grandparent of a grandson born with Cystic Fibrosis, I have to endorse a candidate who says no one will be able to be denied coverage. At 28 months he takes almost 30 pills each day as well as has nebulizer and breathing treatments.

My son-in-law will likely need to change jobs – he’s in management at one of the “Big 3″ automakers. If they can’t get coverage for my grandson, it will literally bankrupt them – and the rest of us – if we have to pay for all of his care.

I feel that in our country, health care is a right and that no one should be denied. $5000 for a family is a joke.

It may be hard to get the reforms passed, but we must try for those who can not get insurance.

]]> By: Margaret D http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2519 Margaret D Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:05:44 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2519 To Kay Wilson, your insurance does not sound too bad. My husband and I also have BCBS and our ded. is $2500 and we pay $1473 a month..........we are both almost 60. And this goes up every year. We are self employed and get no breaks. And we are both in good health. Good thing we are, can't afford to be sick. To Kay Wilson, your insurance does not sound too bad. My husband and I also have BCBS and our ded. is $2500 and we pay $1473 a month……….we are both almost 60. And this goes up every year. We are self employed and get no breaks. And we are both in good health. Good thing we are, can’t afford to be sick.

]]> By: Twiddles http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2517 Twiddles Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:01:32 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2517 I feel so very lucky. My husbands insurance does not cost us and dime. Generic brands are free and our "expensive" medications are very reasonable. I am so sorry everyone does not have our kind of coverage. By the way, my husband has a typical middle class job, no CEO or anything close to that! I feel so very lucky. My husbands insurance does not cost us and dime. Generic brands are free and our “expensive” medications are very reasonable. I am so sorry everyone does not have our kind of coverage. By the way, my husband has a typical middle class job, no CEO or anything close to that!

]]> By: kay wilson http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2513 kay wilson Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:14:44 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2513 So where can I get less costly health insurance? I am single, 62 & my premium with BCBS is $549.00/month. That is with a $2500 deductible and none of the extras..... So where can I get less costly health insurance? I am single, 62 & my premium with BCBS is $549.00/month. That is with a $2500 deductible and none of the extras…..

]]> By: kwfryatl http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2481 kwfryatl Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:28:52 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2481 PLEASE NOTE: talk to your doctor before deciding on generic medications, especially with psychopharmaceuticals and antibiotics. There is a growing group of psychiatric professionals who no longer allow their patients to use generics because their patients reported lack of effectiveness - a little Web research will reveal this. And I myself have twice now had bad GI reactions to generic antibiotics (whereas the "brand version" never bothered me). More pharmaceutical researchers are beginning to discover that the FILLERS used to make medication - not the "active ingredients" - can affect the way the active ingredient behaves in the body (especially time release medication), and that cheap fillers can cause a range of reactions. PLEASE NOTE: talk to your doctor before deciding on generic medications, especially with psychopharmaceuticals and antibiotics. There is a growing group of psychiatric professionals who no longer allow their patients to use generics because their patients reported lack of effectiveness – a little Web research will reveal this. And I myself have twice now had bad GI reactions to generic antibiotics (whereas the “brand version” never bothered me). More pharmaceutical researchers are beginning to discover that the FILLERS used to make medication – not the “active ingredients” – can affect the way the active ingredient behaves in the body (especially time release medication), and that cheap fillers can cause a range of reactions.

]]> By: thepoliticalcat http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2472 thepoliticalcat Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:26:16 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2472 Mr. Hollis, I don't know how you're managing health coverage but that $5,000 credit is only available to FAMILIES, not single people. Average cost of a reasonable health care plan is $12,000 per year, not including dental and vision coverage (both of which are crucial as you get older, given age-related problems like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration as well as receding gums and wearing out of caps, crowns, fillings, and the like). The age-related diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and the like also include costly medication. $5K won't pay to insure a single child with an adequate level of care. McCain's plan to tax employer-provided benefits will swell the rolls of the uninsured, and you'll probably be joining them yourself soon. I can't believe you're seriously considering voting for him. Mr. Hollis, I don’t know how you’re managing health coverage but that $5,000 credit is only available to FAMILIES, not single people. Average cost of a reasonable health care plan is $12,000 per year, not including dental and vision coverage (both of which are crucial as you get older, given age-related problems like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration as well as receding gums and wearing out of caps, crowns, fillings, and the like).

The age-related diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and the like also include costly medication. $5K won’t pay to insure a single child with an adequate level of care. McCain’s plan to tax employer-provided benefits will swell the rolls of the uninsured, and you’ll probably be joining them yourself soon. I can’t believe you’re seriously considering voting for him.

]]> By: George Hollis http://pokedandprodded.health.com/2008/10/02/4-ways-to-save-on-healthcare-no-matter-who-wins-the-election/#comment-2300 George Hollis Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:57:16 +0000 http://healthpoked.wordpress.com/?p=2781#comment-2300 We are doing most of what you suggest. We used to do the flexible spending account but after I retired it was no longer available. I am for John McCain but in all truthfulness, I don't think the tax credit approach will work. In a word, I don't trust the insurance companies. They will quickly find a way to eat up the $5000 allowance and leave the insuree in a gown with his/her tail exposed. George Hollis We are doing most of what you suggest. We used to do the flexible spending account but after I retired it was no longer available.

I am for John McCain but in all truthfulness, I don’t think the tax credit approach will work. In a word, I don’t trust the insurance companies. They will quickly find a way to eat up the $5000 allowance and leave the insuree in a gown with his/her tail exposed.

George Hollis

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