Co-pays - what a dumb idea! I have an autoimmune disease

[hedgehog]

which is progressive and has involved multiple problems over the years. Looking back, I realize that each time a new symptom arose, I really put off going to a doctor, telling myself it was from this or that. Even now, I take a ton of pills to keep everything in balance including several supplements. From time to time, I'll notice a symptom returning that I thought I had under control, and I'll realize that I quit taking this or that several week before.It's a pain in the butt following my regimen, but it works for me.

So, where did the idea come from that people need to be restrained from seeing a doctor and/or taking pills?

[Hoyt]

1. Right or wrong, co-pays, deductibles, etc., are part of what you buy with insurance in this country.

Even Medicare has co-insurance (or co-pays if you are in Medicare Advantage Plans). You can go broke and get on Medicaid which occasionally has a copay, but it's relatively low.

You can get no-copay/insurance under Medicare, but you'll pay more for it. Even if Medicare eliminated co-insurance, we'd have to pay more through the Part B premium or in taxes for Part A. Of course, you can eliminate that by paying several hundred bucks a month for a good supplement, or joining an Advantage Plan.

Again, right or wrong, if not on Medicare, you can purchase a policy with low co-pays, deductibles, or maximum out-of-pocket costs. But, it costs us more each month.

It's a balancing act in a screwed up system that won't get any better until everyone involved is ready to make some major changes -- physicians, hospitals, other providers, insurers if still involved, and even patients.

Not encouraging, I know. Take care.

[NightWatcher]

2. I'm putting off getting insurance until the new year

I'm eligible for Medicare as of today, but I don't think I'm going to sign up for supplemental before November (to take effect Jan 2015) because the yearly deductibles are a little high.

I'm with you, I'm sick, I'm not getting better, progressively worse actually. Put down the hoops we keep having to jump through. I need to go get a chest scan because I feel pressure and pain that is similar to what they say pleurisy feels like. I swear I'm sick of every year getting an add on illness to go along with my lupus.

You'd think that after a certain time, they'd stop making us jump through hoops, write us off, and let us be. Guess what, we're going to be sick forever, that is until we die. Yearly deductibles and expenses are crazy. I don't start over each January with a clean slate, but my expenses do.

[hedgehog]

3. Exactly! I have the same diagnosis, the same meds on Jan 1 that I had on Dec 31!

[lululu]

4. delay consequences

I don't remember how this is exactly, but if you delay signing up long enough, you will be charged higher rates for the rest of your life. Maybe that's just for Medigap and Medicare Advantage, not for the kernel Medicare plans.

I have a no deductible no copays Medigap plan because they would add up to more than the premium difference,

[unapatriciated]

5. please do not put off seeing a doctor.

Last year my son (who has dermatomyositis) was having the same symptoms. He put it off for six months, thinking it was nothing serious. On New Years Eve the pain and pressure got so bad he went to the emergency room, he was in the middle of a heart attack. He had surgery the next day, he was lucky to survive. He is only 35 years old.

[NightWatcher]

6. Oh, I go to the dr. All the time it seems

I too didn't know what was happening to me and waited till I went to the Er. Now I'm on top of it. It's just that I won't see much savings getting signed up before the new year. I hope your son is doing well and has a good dr.

[unapatriciated]

7. glad you went to the ER.

Unfortunately that is the only way those with chronic disease can get affordable health care. My son had two stints put in and is doing well. He has a great cardiologist. I met him when I went to take care of my son after he was released from the hospital. Dematomyositis is harder to deal with when onset is later in life (not mention overlapping lupus), so I hope you have a good rheumatologist. My son has been fighting Dermato since 1991 it is not easy so I will send healing vibes and good thoughts your way.