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07-12-2008, 01:16 AM | #1 | |||||||||
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07-12-2008, 01:17 AM | #2 | ||
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Let's all keep addressing this question. It is important to everyone.
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Jules A (07-12-2008) |
07-12-2008, 06:59 AM | #3 | |||
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Wise Elder
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Many physicians here will not accept the standardized portion paid by the system and therefore send a bill for the remainder directly to the patient. Dental and optical are pretty much out of the question, and progressive MS treatment is a battle. Ty is flatly refused based on probability, they'd rather gamble that a patient won't need long-term primary care and if it is needed, patients are at the mercy of the state-funded warehousing facilities. The ethical portion, for me, boils down to need and availability. If you feel that you honestly need the assistance, it is there for that purpose. Once you step away from your insurance, it will likely never again be available to you. Ty would most likely be out of the question (assuming you won't be footing the $20k+ monthly bill yourself).
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—Cindy For every day I choose to play, I set aside a day to pay. —AMN "Sometimes plastic wrap just won't cling, no matter how much money you put in the meter." —From the Book of True Wizdom |
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07-12-2008, 09:41 AM | #4 | |||
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Grand Magnate
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My DH has medical and health insaurance through his company, yes it would be great to keep the amount we have to pay for the difference between family and individual but we have access to great doctor and care, low co-pays, etc. It does cost X amount a year, but the two years I got a DMD monthly for nothing, good doctors for all of us at $15 a visit, when DD pulled her shoulder out, wemnt to ER, had several follow-ups with a good doctor, well worth it. The power chair I'm getting has more bells and whistles I want than Govt. would give me. I know I'm lucky in my situation, see my cleaning woman, single mom with 2 kids can't afford it, but the quality of care she must accept from system for her and her kidsis not very good in my opinion. Unfair? Dreadfuuly. But since I can do it, will do for us, especially the kids.
When bad things happen or chances at working against the MonStter come up, want to be econically able. Hold on to making it mote possible. Not fair, but private insurance makes me believe that's possible. A friend had what I thought a terrible unethical doctor for his drug addiction who I feel prescribed things unethically, without proper needed supervision, and set him up 100% (in a low sucess rate area) for failure. Private insurance enabled me to concieve which cost big bucks over 15 years (nobody allows it now, considered Elective and unnecessary but was covereded way back then) and I consider myself lucky. If we can afford it, I want private insurance right now.
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Kicker PPMS, DXed 2002 Queen of Maryland Wise Elder no matter what my count is. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Victor H (07-12-2008) |
07-12-2008, 09:43 AM | #5 | |||
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Wise Elder
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AMN brings up some good points. With many public health systems your choices are limited as to which dr to go to, what meds are available, what facilities you can get treatment at, etc.
As an example, when I was 1st diagnosed the neuro wanted me to take Provigil. The insurance company would not approve it. We tried 3 times to get it approved and they just wouldn't. So, no Provigil for me (well, except for the samples they gave me). In my case, it was ok as it did nothing for my fatigue. Additionally, my choice of neuro's is very limited. In fact, only 1 MS specialist is on there. I did go to her for a while, I ended up switching as she was ill herself and her partner left much to be desired (I had dealt with him for years on a professional basis and then as a patient once. He was just as temperamental and hotheaded in his treatment of patients as he was the professional staff). The neuro I now go to is listed as taking care of MS patients. My PCP tried to get me in to another highly recommended neuro (MS specialist) that was not on my insurance but the prior approval got denied as there were others that treated those with MS. Dental and optical are not covered by public insurance for adults. That is an out of pocket expense for me. However, should I have trouble with ON again, I would get approval to go to a neuro ophthalmologist. As for dental, instead of going twice a year for teeth cleaning, I now go once a year as that is all I can afford. Even though I am on Medicare now, Medicaid still requires prior authorization even though they are my secondary insurance. It is still a pain. The great thing about the public health insurance is that my kids get awesome care. They have more choices of drs., prior authorizations go through quickly, they are covered for dental and optical, etc. The system really takes care of kids needs. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Victor H (07-12-2008) |
07-12-2008, 09:46 AM | #6 | |||
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Grand Magnate
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I don't feel as guilty being 'on the medical dole' because I don't cost the system very much either. My only med is $20 a month, I've had one MRI in almost 18 yrs, and I visit my neurologist once a year (and do that only because that is mandatory for insurance purposes). Any other medical costs I incur are par with most every other "normal" family in Canada . . . so I'm not costing the system much due to my specific health issues. These are social safety nets, meant for those in NEED. I'd have much rather paid in for the rest of my life, and have not NEEDED them, but unfortunately that's not the way things worked out. I do feel guilty about getting Canada Pension Plan (similar to SSI/SSDI). Yeah, I paid in about $2,000 a yr for 30 yrs . . . but since I am dependant on it until death now, I'm definitely going to be getting every penny back (that me and everyone else in my family ever contributed), plus heaps more. Cherie
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I am not a Neurologist, Physician, Nurse, or Hairdresser ... but I have learned that it is not such a great idea to give oneself a haircut after three margaritas
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07-12-2008, 10:10 AM | #7 | ||
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Senior Member
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Hi Vic and Everyone,
My thoughts on this are the same as my thoughts on financial aid for college, subsidized veterinary care and any type of program that is set up to help those in need. I have been bashed on the topic of financial aid with regard to people that quit working while in college because their income was too high to get aid. Perhaps my favorite is the couple of single mothers that didn't marry their live-ins until after we graduated because it would cut off their financial aid. I'm sorry but no argument in favor of that sounds fair or honest to me. As long as I can pay for myself I will. The no brainer reason for me is that I would feel horrible getting assistance when someone truly in need, living off only disability etc. would not get all they could to help them. What I keep coming back to is that these funds are finite. No matter how you look at it, how much I may have paid into these funds etc. there are X amount of dollars to help X number of people. I am not suggesting that anyone who has no other choice be too proud or feel guilty for accepting public assistance, just that if you can care for yourself please consider doing it.
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He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. Anonymous |
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07-12-2008, 10:41 AM | #8 | |||
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Wise Elder
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LOL, it might as well be, the best average I can find says $5,200 which is just as ludicrous to consider as a monthly out-of-pocket expense.
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—Cindy For every day I choose to play, I set aside a day to pay. —AMN "Sometimes plastic wrap just won't cling, no matter how much money you put in the meter." —From the Book of True Wizdom |
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07-12-2008, 11:15 AM | #9 | ||
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Senior Member
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That is why I chose to say that I am subsidizing them. Before I replied to your original question I took the time to add up all of the costs that they have covered and the costs that I have paid. It was an eye-opener to say the least. HOWEVER, if something dreadful did happen to me, then the insurance would be the protection I need. |
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07-12-2008, 06:40 PM | #10 | |||
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Grand Magnate
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vic,
i have to admit that i didn't read the responses right now. however, my answer would be to do what is best for YOU. if you run the #'s and find one outweighs the other then i'd pick that option. also take into consideration pro's and con's of each choice, not just the $$$. i'm inclined to stick with the insurance, especially since you can afford it. you will be better medical care IMHO. it still may not be cheap but i believe it's better to have insurance than to navigate as a destitute needing medical care. hope this helps. J
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Judy trying to be New Skinny Butt ______________________ You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. -------------------------------------- "DESIDERATA" by Max Ehrmann |
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