(Earlier this week, at work ...) Patient: What do you mean, my insurance doesnt pay anything? Me: You have a $6000 deductible, which means that until youve paid that $6000 the insurance doesnt start picking up bills. Patient: But I have insurance. Me: Yes. But the deductible applies. Patient: But then why do I want the deductible? Me: I dont know what you mean. Its part of your plan. Patient: But they say on TV and the radio that you should have a high deductible. Me: Well, plans with high deductibles usually have lower premiums, if thats what you mean. I dont know whos giving this advice, but the way it works is that you have to pay out of pocket for the deductible amount before your insurance kicks in to pay. After that, youd be paying $35 per visit. Patient: All the people on the news and on the radio are talking about why you should have a high-deductible plan. Me: Well, the risk with a high deductible is that you do have to pay a lot out of pocket. Patient: I cant pay $100 for each visit. Me: We can work with you for a payment plan. Patient: But why are they saying I want a high deductible? Me (lying): I dont know the specifics of whos giving that advice, so I really dont know. If you were talking to an insurance rep, they should have talked about the pros and cons. Patient: No, the people on the news and the radio, like Sean Hannity and them. Me (lying again): Yeah, I dont really know what they would mean. Patient: I guess well have to work that out ... . His plan is one of those grandfathered very-high-deductible plans praised by people who oppose the Affordable Health Care Act. Those plans are, of course, disastrous to people of low income who actually need them. But they can sell well to people who are only looking at premiums and arent getting expert help with selecting plans. In other words, theyre a trap for low-income people. Most likely, he will not get the physical therapy he needs because the $1200+ price tag is intimidatingly high. But, you know, the people on the news told him high-deductible plans were good. Pretty sure his news network is named for a chicken-murdering little mammal ... .
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:39:11 +0000
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