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They don't have to take it at all. The mandate only applies to plans that existed after 3/23/10. If a company has the same plan for their employees with no modifications that began before that time they do not have to take the dependent mandate. Many do opt in but are not required to. This only applies to accounts that are self insured. If they fully insure they cannot opt out.
I don't know how many times I'm going to have to tell you that healthcare costs would be attainable AND reasonable if we didn't have the government trying to "help". I know it's expensive. I donated a kidney and received the bills (which were eventually sorted out), had 2 c-sectiions and had to pay out of pocket for my dh's cancer meds (or would of if he'd needed them) despite having TRICARE which is supposed to be the "cheapest" government program available and worked as a receptionist (billing) in two separate nursing homes. I'm still 100% sure that healthcare would be cheaper if we hadn't started letting people use the government insurance. It wouldn't be $7.50 for a freaking bandaid without their "help". Add in the costs of our overweight, irresponsible, and sue-happy nation and I'm appalled anyone would think we could compete with other countries on healthcare costs or try to compare them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jessica80
High deductible low premium insurance plans definitely still exist. Colleges may not be offering them for whatever reason, but that is one of the options offered through my work, and I know a lot of people go that route. I personally opt for the high premium low deductible plan because I did the math and it's cheaper for us based on T's medications alone, but that option is there for people who don't expect to have to use it very much, and I will say that the monthly premiums (at least through our company) are pretty affordable. Just, god help you if you actually need to use your insurance if you are on a high deductible plan because the deductible really is HIGH! I picture a broke young person trying to come up with $5K before insurance ever pays out a dime, and I still feel bad for them. But, I'm old and cautious with my finances. LOL
But the cost of the bandaid is not due to insurance it is because you are paying HOSPITAL overhead. Their management, their staff etc. Without insurance you would still be paying 7.50 for a bandaid and 20.00 for a tylenol.Quote:
Originally Posted by wlillie
No. According to you it would be 6.75 and 19.00 if you have a non-profit insurance and that's wihtout factoring in the labor for the insurance claim on both sides. And the insurance paying out more than it should for crap like that raises the price. And I guess we'll have to agree to disagree that people who aren't paying out of pocket are less likely to go to the doctor for stupid reasons. Cause I know it for a fact.
I would definitely disagree that people not paying out of pocket go for stupid reasons. If that were true, places like Canada would have crazy busy Drs, and they arent any busier than in the states. My family doesnt go for silly things, but neither do we hold off going because it is going to cost us. And this is how most other people I know handle things as well. In fact, the only time we have had trouble getting medical care in a timely manner was when my husband lost his hearing.....and his Medical is different and through an insurance company, unlike the rest of us.
What? Where did I ever say it would be only. .75 or 1.00 off? That's not even close to what I said.Quote:
Originally Posted by wlillie
Most people w/o insurance will wait to be seen for very serious issues due to cost, wind up in the ER and probably get admitted. If they live they are often faced with insane bills and if they die than that debt goes unpaid. Private insurances nationwide have to pool money to help fund non insured bills with hospitals as well as Medicaid programs. If people were insured your rates would go down. They would get their preventive care and get help with bills not amounting very high. The hospitals have to dip less and less into the uninsured/free care pool so then the private insurance won't have to contribute so much and your rates will go down.
The reason insurance rates are high is due to the cost of doctor's visits and hospital care. It's not the reverse.