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Recursion

(56,582 posts)

15. The unexpected costs are why we have insurance

Reply to Orrex (Reply #13)

Wed Feb 17, 2016, 11:32 AM

Feb 2016

I think a big problem is that people started to think of health insurance as "pre-paid health care" rather than "protection against huge unexpected costs from a catastrophe".

All it takes is one unforeseen medical issue to destroy a family's finances forever. This is irrefutable fact.

Well, no: if you have a bronze plan your exposure to medical costs is limited to $6000. That's it. Paying back $6000 can suck, but it's not going to drive a family into eternal ruin like $175,000 can.

Why the hell is DU so resistant to the idea of the patient having any agency here?

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How to Cut Your Health-Care Bill: Pay Cash [View all] Recursion Feb 2016 OP

Completely broken system, ridiculous article. Warren Stupidity Feb 2016 #1

I've always found that argument ridiculous Recursion Feb 2016 #4

I shopped around for my orthodontist services when I needed braces jamzrockz Feb 2016 #10

99.9999 not ER? Care to back that up? Warren Stupidity Feb 2016 #11

Clearly 99.9999 was hyperbole; it's 2% of national costs Recursion Feb 2016 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author LanternWaste Feb 2016 #19

seeing the discounts associated with insureance this sounds like bs to me dembotoz Feb 2016 #2

Our problem with healthcare is one of price discovery Recursion Feb 2016 #5

........ daleanime Feb 2016 #3

As always, the answer to financial problems is "have more money" Orrex Feb 2016 #6

For some people, sure Recursion Feb 2016 #7

Of course that only works if they know about it in advance Orrex Feb 2016 #8

People really overstate how much medical expenses are unexpected Recursion Feb 2016 #9

That's foolish. You're telling people to plan only for a best-case scenario Orrex Feb 2016 #13

The unexpected costs are why we have insurance Recursion Feb 2016 #15

Again, the advice is "have more money" Orrex Feb 2016 #16

. Iggo Feb 2016 #27

Insurers are not trying to save you money. bemildred Feb 2016 #14

They don't even seem to be trying to save *themselves* money Recursion Feb 2016 #21

High prices increase their cut. Duh. bemildred Feb 2016 #23

So, I should pause my heart attack and negotiate prices first? Wounded Bear Feb 2016 #17

Of course not. Orrex Feb 2016 #18

FFS this is such a ridiculous strawman Recursion Feb 2016 #20

If you can't see it... Wounded Bear Feb 2016 #22

So, nothing? Recursion Feb 2016 #24

I've read three specific answers to that particular question in this thread. LanternWaste Feb 2016 #25

Can you point to them? I see "ZOMG PEOPLE ARE TOO POOR TO PAY FOR IT" Recursion Feb 2016 #26

My daughter cost $5,000 a pound. jeff47 Feb 2016 #28

So, UCSF did a study last year Recursion Feb 2016 #29

Because they are not known-in-advance costs. jeff47 Feb 2016 #30

Well, hell, having insurance is also unworkable for anyone who isn't wealthy Recursion Feb 2016 #31

Golly, it's almost like we need a single-payer system. (nt) jeff47 Feb 2016 #32

That wouldn't fix price discrepancies (in some ways it makes them worse) Recursion Feb 2016 #33

Only if that single-payer system can not negotiate. (nt) jeff47 Feb 2016 #34

If Medicare can't, why would a universal system be able to? Recursion Feb 2016 #35

Because Medicare doesn't negotiate much. jeff47 Feb 2016 #36

Did you even bother to google? Recursion Feb 2016 #37

Before I had insurance I had to pre-pay for operations csziggy Feb 2016 #38

Personal experience says .... GeorgeGist Feb 2016 #39