[Auspex]

I can not stand insurance. I remember before I signed up for my former job's group plan... My Mother and I called to make sure they could cover me, on the job's website to sign up for them it did not say they would not cover me and nothing on pre-existing conditions or anything. Then I get them and find out I'm not being covered when I could have just paid $200 a month for a better insurance that would cover me in and out of the country but I did not want to deal with paying so much. Come to find out my Dr. and the front desk receptionist tells me they haven't received $1k from my Insurance yet I call them and explain I was told I was covered blah blah, escalated and they didn't pay anything. I paid $622 and a total of $600 in lab bills. I hate most insurance companies, it's hard to get covered.

[seltaeb]

I've never figured out why insurance companys will pay when you're in such bad shape you end up in a Hospital but refuse to pay for preventative care. Sounds backa$$wards to me. I see all the fighting against universal Health care, but how could it be any worse than how it is now. The insurance industry keeps raising premiums & lowering benefits. When I got this insurance I had to change Drs. whether I wanted to or not & I had been with my previous Dr. for over 20 years & hated changing. I pity the people with no insurance. I didn't have any when I ended up in the Hospital in '06 & just about lost my home over the bill collectors coming after me. I'm paying over $200.00 a month to these parasites. That 3 day trip to the Hospital cost me over $50,000. Oh well, I could rant on all night, but it won't change anything. I'll let you all know the outcome after I call my Dr. tomorrow.

[Auspex]

Yes, I am hoping this new health care reform actually does something for us.

[Tribbles]

Originally Posted by seltaeb

I've never figured out why insurance companys will pay when you're in such bad shape you end up in a Hospital but refuse to pay for preventative care.

Given that most insurance is tied to an employer, coupled with the predicted length of time a person stays with an employer, it is not in the insurers interest to pay for preventative care. The odds are good that by the time this costs money you will be off their books. Of course you now have a preexisting condition so any insurer who takes you on will factor that into the costs...

Preventative medicine only pays when the provider has a long term interest in the well-being of the patient. Systems like the NHS will do this, US insurers won't - both take their position for sound financial reasons.

[Ed B]

My father is a long time type 2 and is retired from GM and the UAW on a modest fixed income and, or course, on Medicare. When the Government took over GM, they cut the supplemental insurance he got as a GM/UAW retiree. Now he depends solely on Medicare and is limited to one test strip per day after his co-pay and monthly Medicare premiums. He needs to test more often of course, so he has to pay for the extras out of his pocket. In fairness, he was limited to one test strip per day even with the supplemental insurance. It just costs more now.

Medical insurance sucks in the US. Even the insurance our government runs for our seniors.

-------------------------

My own situation is since my last A1C was pretty good, my doctor and insurance won't order another A1C or blood work until a year has passed. It doesn't matter that my life situation and, as a result, my diet has changed and I know my numbers have worsened as a result. It is a programmed decision made by bureaucrats. They assume I must be OK.

The thing is I am under no illusion that a government medical system with its own army or bureaucrats will handle it any better. They may have somewhat different programmed decisions (like Medicare does) and they will most likely NOT recognize that T2 is not a “one-size fits all” condition. They would most likely ask us to rigorously follow ADA dietary guidelines and tell us all to cut fat and red meats and make sure carbs account for 60% of our calories. That is what the government dietician told us in the ONE and ONLY diabetes education class I attended.

Yeah, it sucks all over when we have to depend on someone other than ourselves and the doctor of our choosing to manage our health. I hope assuring this last point is the central goal of any health reform that is eventually passed, along with universal availability.

[GeishaGirl]

Originally Posted by Tribbles

Given that most insurance is tied to an employer, coupled with the predicted length of time a person stays with an employer, it is not in the insurers interest to pay for preventative care. The odds are good that by the time this costs money you will be off their books. .

And THAT is one of the main reasons I favor some kind of public option for health care. I WORK for the government, and have government insurance. They cover my pump and all supplies for free. I asked why, they said that, with my job, I'd be with them a long time and it's cheaper in the long run to help me now, rather than pay for huge medical complications later.

It would be nice if they did it because it's the right thing to do, but whatever.

[Tribbles]

Originally Posted by GeishaGirl

And THAT is one of the main reasons I favor some kind of public option for health care. I WORK for the government, and have government insurance. They cover my pump and all supplies for free. I asked why, they said that, with my job, I'd be with them a long time and it's cheaper in the long run to help me now, rather than pay for huge medical complications later.

It would be nice if they did it because it's the right thing to do, but whatever.

I'm in a similar position. The company I work for self-insures and has Aetna administer the scheme so they offer preventative schemes outside the Aetna administered part because they want to retain staff and keep them health. The benefits of working for a non-US company!

[seltaeb]

An update. I called my Dr. yesterday & He was VERY upset. It didn't 3 hrs & the Drs. office called back & told me my strips were once again covered. I picked them up this morning. Now that's a great Dr. The insurance carrier told me forget it & He gets them covered in that short of time. I think I'll let him fight anymore battles I get with them.

[gettingby]

Originally Posted by seltaeb

An update. I called my Dr. yesterday & He was VERY upset. It didn't 3 hrs & the Drs. office called back & told me my strips were once again covered. I picked them up this morning. Now that's a great Dr. The insurance carrier told me forget it & He gets them covered in that short of time. I think I'll let him fight anymore battles I get with them.

That's super news. My endo will battle with BCBS on some things but not all.

[Breeze 2 User]

Retired back in March/April of last year and because of my age (mid-60's), went on Medicare. Signed up with QHP suplemental insurance.

I just picked up two boxes of 50 "Bayer Breeze 2" test strips from WalMart at a cost to me of $2.09 each.. while regular price was $13.16 per box.

In addition, I also purchased a box of 100 "Microlet Silicone Coated Lances" at $20.52.. with regular price being $119.92

I'm new to the type 2 diabetes scene (being just this past week), so it looks like it's going to be a expensive proposition.

Breeze 2 User

[poodlebone]

Originally Posted by Breeze 2 User

I just picked up two boxes of 50 "Bayer Breeze 2" test strips from WalMart at a cost to me of $2.09 each.. while regular price was $13.16 per box.

In addition, I also purchased a box of 100 "Microlet Silicone Coated Lances" at $20.52.. with regular price being $119.92

I really, really hope that you mixed up the prices on these two items! Test strips are the expensive part while lancets are relatively cheap. I doubt that even WalMart is selling 50 Breeze2 strips for $13.16 cash. I also imagine any lancets that cost $119.92 for 100 are made out of solid gold.

[ljjhouser]

Originally Posted by seltaeb

An update. I called my Dr. yesterday & He was VERY upset. It didn't 3 hrs & the Drs. office called back & told me my strips were once again covered. I picked them up this morning. Now that's a great Dr. The insurance carrier told me forget it & He gets them covered in that short of time. I think I'll let him fight anymore battles I get with them.

Good, I'm very glad you were successful. I personally like insurance. I just want insurance which covers something.

And THAT is one of the main reasons I favor some kind of public option for health care.

Now - I have the Public Option. It is called Medicare. Part B cost about $100, Part D cost me $25.10, the Supplement cost $165.00 = total cost about 290 per month. Before this "public option" my insurance covered 100 strips per month (3 tests per day).

Now under this "public option" medicare (under part B) covers 100 strips per 100 days, or one per day.

My cost under this "public option" this year increased $140.00.
Later, Larry