Democratic Primaries

customerserviceguy

(25,406 posts)

144. Well, I guess my impression

Wed Nov 6, 2019, 12:39 PM

Nov 2019

is out of date. I've been retired for nearly three years now, and my last job (lasting over eight years) was with an international company, and I had a union.

I did have the high deductible plan at that job, but it cost only five bucks a week, and the company chipped in $75 a month towards my health savings account. Between my non-taxable contributions to it and theirs, I still have well over three-quarters of it stashed away, and I'm only a bit more than a year away from Medicare.

My lady has been going through one hell of a hassle, same employer's plan, but the scaled down one for retirees. She spent an hour on the damned phone yesterday trying to get a chest X-ray required by her surgeon for a procedure she's going in for next week. It was so much of a hassle on the phone with the insurance company to try to find a provider in our area, finally, she said, "Screw it, we're just going to have to drive two hours to the hospital in Charlestown again."

It does seem sometimes that the only option we have is to not get sick until it's time to die.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

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I don't understand the "I like my private insurance" meme. [View all] flamin lib Nov 2019 OP

I've got mine...you lazy unemployed/underemployed twits can f' off and die. ret5hd Nov 2019 #1

They simply don't realize that it can be taken away, or changed, at any moment. SharonAnn Nov 2019 #12

That simply wouldn't happen to an industrious and intelligent servant...I mean employee like myself! ret5hd Nov 2019 #24

It's part of the calvinist authoritarian mindset that has been ingrained MarcA Nov 2019 #120

Plus, if your job is eliminated, so is your health insurance. Lonestarblue Nov 2019 #26

Totally! rownesheck Nov 2019 #28

And also... cannabis_flower Nov 2019 #39

Most small business owners say employee health insurance is a real burden sop Nov 2019 #62

Plus they could compete with foreign companies. Jakes Progress Nov 2019 #148

And overall, it would be cheaper for everyone ... aggiesal Nov 2019 #105

Medicare Part E. I like that. Beartracks Nov 2019 #131

There is already a Medicare Part E radical noodle Nov 2019 #155

Thanks, looked it up ... aggiesal Nov 2019 #159

I've heard some say that radical noodle Nov 2019 #160

I like A-Z as well. It means it covers everything ... aggiesal Nov 2019 #162

Medicare would benefit radical noodle Nov 2019 #163

++++++++++++ not fooled Nov 2019 #32

They also have no idea how much it actually costs BeyondGeography Nov 2019 #59

The last three years have shown that Government mandated healthcare can also be taken away farmbo Nov 2019 #81

You do, but "they" don't? Good grief. Of course "they" do. Hortensis Nov 2019 #85

You have zero choice over the plans Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #135

And your message diverts subject from knowledge to resentment. Hortensis Nov 2019 #136

So your plan is to indirectly remove Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #137

NO! Choice always remains. Private coverage will not be illegal. Hortensis Nov 2019 #140

And after employers stop providing insurance how Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #141

:) Tapped out? Thanks for that last comment, Hortensis Nov 2019 #142

So nothing. Voltaire2 Nov 2019 #145

That's about right. KPN Nov 2019 #73

+1 Meadowoak Nov 2019 #2

Same thoughts here. A total WTF. Maybe they are plants that say they love their private insurance. RKP5637 Nov 2019 #3

It's Harry and Louise! sop Nov 2019 #110

Yep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Back again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2019 #112

I think that part of it is change is hard for many people, esp around something as fundamentally NRaleighLiberal Nov 2019 #4

This is it exactly. lastlib Nov 2019 #45

Many people don't have the luxury of giving in to their fears loyalsister Nov 2019 #63

Nothing is freaking great about employer-paid private insurance. fleur-de-lisa Nov 2019 #5

Same here. My co-pays just kept going up and up and up. n/t RKP5637 Nov 2019 #10

Co-pays and premiums continue to rise, while the care provided just goes down AllyCat Nov 2019 #69

It is a racket Bettie Nov 2019 #158

For 45 years I had BC/BS paid for safeinOhio Nov 2019 #95

People feel safe when they're told they're covered and safe - like extended warranties /nt bucolic_frolic Nov 2019 #6

They "feel" safe, sure, but employer-based insurance doesn't give the total coverage that M4A does. ancianita Nov 2019 #23

People who've never faced involuntary unemployment, you can be sure. eppur_se_muova Nov 2019 #7

And it puts US employers at a disadvantage to those in countries with national health dawg day Nov 2019 #8

Another aspect of that is international business bids LiberalLovinLug Nov 2019 #50

"I don't like something so nobody else should"? brooklynite Nov 2019 #9

I can see the attraction to having it both ways; I can if I want to but I don't flamin lib Nov 2019 #36

If people look at the vast sums of money they are spending right now on insurance AllyCat Nov 2019 #72

+1 and I would LOVE the chance to get MFA for a four percent tax! JoeOtterbein Nov 2019 #11

It's the old Republican trope where the government cannot do anything right and private is best. LonePirate Nov 2019 #13

Fear of change, plain and simple Fiendish Thingy Nov 2019 #14

THIS KPN Nov 2019 #86

a lot of people wouldnt be here w/o their insurance coverage. you get fond of a lifeline. mopinko Nov 2019 #15

Thank you for saying that so well Boomer Nov 2019 #38

Not been my experience. Mandated coverage and cost controls make flamin lib Nov 2019 #55

Not that hard - an agent will walk you through it free of charge Bradshaw3 Nov 2019 #108

If you have access to a retirement benefits site, go there and get a comparison chart. If not, emmaverybo Nov 2019 #123

The health care debate in America is all about "loss aversion" Skinner Nov 2019 #16

family is a pretty weighty word here. mopinko Nov 2019 #48

They say that untl they get a bill in the mail for $15,000 for 3 screws that their insurance yaesu Nov 2019 #17

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Nov 2019 #18

I wonder what's changed from 2008 when we all agreed that the system was broken Bradshaw3 Nov 2019 #19

I think most people are fine if other simply drop dead jberryhill Nov 2019 #20

This LuvNewcastle Nov 2019 #79

My private insurance is $190 a month. I'm transitioning to Medicare in January... Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #21

You didn't mention your deductibles and copays. Many people have lower premiums, but vsrazdem Nov 2019 #27

My private ded is $1500. Medicare ded will be $185 with 0 copays.nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #93

Maybe your part of private insurance was $190 a month, but your employer paid much more than that. SharonAnn Nov 2019 #29

Does it cost $190 a month, or does it cost you $190 a month? Act_of_Reparation Nov 2019 #35

It cost me $190.00. Employer pays half. nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #94

So the total cost of the plan is $380 per month. Act_of_Reparation Nov 2019 #99

The average employer pays a much higher percentage than that BeyondGeography Nov 2019 #134

I don't understand how that can be. flamin lib Nov 2019 #42

Is your private insurance a $190 pre-tax payroll deduction... Pacifist Patriot Nov 2019 #64

That's hard to believe jberryhill Nov 2019 #91

Do you have private or Medicare? nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #96

I'm 56 years old jberryhill Nov 2019 #98

Medicare Advantage might be cheaper catrose Nov 2019 #128

I'll keep that in mind for next year. Thanks. nt Kahuna7 Nov 2019 #129

These are the same people who are afraid pnwest Nov 2019 #22

A big part of it is that the Medicare you and I are on isn't at all like the "Medicare".... George II Nov 2019 #25

I don't understand why they can't offer the same sort of Medicare that exists now with people able vsrazdem Nov 2019 #31

How so? Which "these plans" are you referring to? KPN Nov 2019 #84

All the plans that use the moniker "Medicare". George II Nov 2019 #89

I'm on Medicare. How are they different other KPN Nov 2019 #111

You'd have to read and compare them, but the most obvious is that the two plans.... George II Nov 2019 #113

I thought only Medicare Advantage was private KPN Nov 2019 #116

Sanders' plan is to phase out pvt insurance within four years, not sure the time frame for Warren... George II Nov 2019 #117

That's pretty darned good. You've piqued my interest. KPN Nov 2019 #132

I think people just want to see the MFA plan and try it out before Hoyt Nov 2019 #30

Agree, also people much prefer something called 'xxx OPTION' over 'xxx FOR ALL' nt mr_lebowski Nov 2019 #43

I don't get it either treestar Nov 2019 #33

From what I see Bettie Nov 2019 #34

when my mom retired back in 2004 or 2005 NewJeffCT Nov 2019 #37

Medicare is a very different insurance snowybirdie Nov 2019 #40

My experience in the last 6 years has not shown any of that. flamin lib Nov 2019 #51

True for you snowybirdie Nov 2019 #75

I can see that in your situation with two permanent residencies. flamin lib Nov 2019 #82

It's a very popular theme on M$NBC, with their nonstop Pharma and Insurance ads. lagomorph777 Nov 2019 #41

In Pharma's case those ads are tax-payer subsidized, so... Anon-C Nov 2019 #67

I get to select my drs, change if they're assholes, decide what specialists I go to, if needed. woodsprite Nov 2019 #44

In the last six years I've changed drs 4 times for the reasons you cite: jerk, flamin lib Nov 2019 #60

people love paying for health care plus skyscrapers, private jets, golden parachutes, advertising Hermit-The-Prog Nov 2019 #46

Better than Medicare for all would be Tricare for all rwsanders Nov 2019 #47

Whether "we" think they should see it a different way is not the issue Thekaspervote Nov 2019 #49

If people knew what a relief it is to be fully covered yellerpup Nov 2019 #52

Americans are fear addicted BannonsLiver Nov 2019 #53

I don't like it, but I still think M4A is bullshit pandering dansolo Nov 2019 #54

Medicare was a severe downgrade for me from GM insurance. JohnnyRingo Nov 2019 #56

My Mom had the same issue eilen Nov 2019 #149

Advantage plans you still have to pay your Medicare part B OKNancy Nov 2019 #57

I don't understand it either. BlueMTexpat Nov 2019 #58

Many people have no clue how their insurance works...until it doesn't cover ... Pacifist Patriot Nov 2019 #61

You've also paid into Medicare your whole life before drawing benefits upon retirement IronLionZion Nov 2019 #65

I'm reading some brilliant campaign messages in this thread... brooklynite Nov 2019 #66

I'm seeing that too and it wasn't my intention to provide a platform flamin lib Nov 2019 #77

It is a false sense of security. They THINK they're covered. But they aren't bitterross Nov 2019 #68

I find it shocking Hangdog Slim Nov 2019 #70

Its an industry and republican meme, that is all Perseus Nov 2019 #71

It's discouraging Politicub Nov 2019 #74

I think the attractiveness Turbineguy Nov 2019 #76

Hospitals don't have wards in the way you have illustrated anymore eilen Nov 2019 #150

That's why I put in the word "myth". Turbineguy Nov 2019 #151

I don't get it either. CrispyQ Nov 2019 #78

The industry spends a lot lobbying dollars to push that narrative. CentralMass Nov 2019 #80

I don't understand it either moose65 Nov 2019 #83

the propaganda machine. barbtries Nov 2019 #87

Even if you have that great job and what you think is great insurance. onecaliberal Nov 2019 #88

My Medicare doesn't cover most of my doctors relayerbob Nov 2019 #90

Bankruptcy attorney EveDibb Nov 2019 #92

Welcome to DU, EveDibb. area51 Nov 2019 #100

Thank you for the welcome EveDibb Nov 2019 #103

Don't get it either... Moral Compass Nov 2019 #97

Frankly, I don't trust my private insurance. Crowman2009 Nov 2019 #101

The main thing that bothers me about private insurance calimary Nov 2019 #102

i think ppl say that bc we're so conditioned to being consumers 1st and foremost Kurt V. Nov 2019 #104

So you have a private insurance plan funded by Medicare. gibraltar72 Nov 2019 #106

Don't You Pay Medicare Part B Premiums Which Covers the Medicare Advantage Plan? Indykatie Nov 2019 #107

There are a number of $0 premium plans. In most cases Medicare picks up the actual premium so you flamin lib Nov 2019 #114

You can choose a Medicare Advantage plan, and then Medicare pays them a premium to handle your vsrazdem Nov 2019 #119

Change. People Fear Change. MineralMan Nov 2019 #109

Kamala's answer yuiyoshida Nov 2019 #115

I can only assume that they've never tried to use it. catrose Nov 2019 #118

I'm with ya, Brother... myohmy2 Nov 2019 #121

And not every employer provided plan is good TexasBushwhacker Nov 2019 #122

They should be saying shadowmayor Nov 2019 #124

I think for some - OhZone Nov 2019 #125

Create a Medicare Advantage (with drug and dental) plan option, and let them decide for themselves. gulliver Nov 2019 #126

I loved my insurance BlueIdaho Nov 2019 #127

It depends on your employment customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #130

dont bet on it.... Locrian Nov 2019 #139

Well, I guess my impression customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #144

yeah it's definitely changed.... Locrian Nov 2019 #146

If air travel customerserviceguy Nov 2019 #147

FOMO - But in this case Fear Of having something taken away and getting something worse. NCLefty Nov 2019 #133

My own personal experience... wysimdnwyg Nov 2019 #138

You pay a premium. LogicFirst Nov 2019 #143

I wonder if part of it could be employer plans moonscape Nov 2019 #152

I have the best health care plan the US has to offer bluescribbler Nov 2019 #153

I'm in a union. JNelson6563 Nov 2019 #154

This is what some people miss radical noodle Nov 2019 #161

Here's a specific example: ecstatic Nov 2019 #156

I like my private insurance Dem4Life1102 Nov 2019 #157