PATRIOTS! REFUSE TO ENROLL!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Obamacare is a poor compromise to what the US actually needs, a single payer, free point of use system. Of course thet'll never happen because Americans like pretending that the majority of the US population have access to a miriad of health care options, all of them offering the best care in the modern world.The reality is that most American's have very little choice at all, and all of it excessively expensive at the point of use. I love the US but it's batty.

Exactly.

[Protocol417 161]

Well, there is no bargain. Several people on this board like to mention how they don't need insurance and they can always cut a deal. It just isn't the case.

You can have just a couple of hundred dollars in your account and that is what the doctor will take. I broke my arm last summer. I had some money in my account to pay bills for the summer (my income is limited in summer as I am a teacher), so I applied to get help from the state, the state figured that money for my bills and rent could just go to the doctor instead.

In order to get a bargain, you have to lie and cheat yourself by taking all your money out of your account and pretending you don't have any.

I just called to find out about getting into a doctor and if you are a new patient, it is almost impossible to get in to see a sliding scale doctor, as they have soooooooooo many uninsured patients and they wouldn't be able to stay in business if they took everyone. This office I called they told me they have to tell people to go to emergency. There just aren't any other choices. So the system is insane.

There are reports (in Time? Newsweek? can't remember) where people have called into the hospital they went to and were able to negotiate, line by line, "discounted" rates. I can't remember what it's called but the rate that you're billed by the hospital is based out of a book of charges that they consider to be the "starting point" for negotiation. Some places will even offer an upfront discount if you pay in cash. If you're going to an independent doctor's office or urgent care clinic, this may be different, though.

When I had no insurance, I had to go to the emergency room after falling ill very suddenly with a raging fever. I spoke to them afterwards and while I didn't negotiate a discounted rate (I was only being charged about $300, which seemed low enough even though they just did a quick test and gave me antibiotics) I was able to set up a payment plan of $10 per month. I was very low income at the time, though.

But yes, the system is insane.

[Golden Gate 530]

There are reports (in Time? Newsweek? can't remember) where people have called into the hospital they went to and were able to negotiate, line by line, "discounted" rates. I can't remember what it's called but the rate that you're billed by the hospital is based out of a book of charges that they consider to be the "starting point" for negotiation. Some places will even offer an upfront discount if you pay in cash. If you're going to an independent doctor's office or urgent care clinic, this may be different, though.

When I had no insurance, I had to go to the emergency room after falling ill very suddenly with a raging fever. I spoke to them afterwards and while I didn't negotiate a discounted rate (I was only being charged about $300, which seemed low enough even though they just did a quick test and gave me antibiotics) I was able to set up a payment plan of $10 per month. I was very low income at the time, though.

But yes, the system is insane.

Thanks for the info. We did get the cash discounted rate to see the doctor. It was $15 off.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There are discount plans for medical, dental, and drugs you can sign up for, usually for free. Those participating in the networks, agree to a certain formulary for generic drugs , and set contract prices for listed procedures. That is about as close as you are going to get to paying the same prices insurance companies do for the same services and products. These plans are not insurance, but they can knock off 50% or more of your costs, as opposed to trying negotiate on your own.

[Golden Gate 530]

There are discount plans for medical, dental, and drugs you can sign up for, usually for free. Those participating in the networks, agree to a certain formulary for generic drugs , and set contract prices for listed procedures. That is about as close as you are going to get to paying the same prices insurance companies do for the same services and products. These plans are not insurance, but they can knock off 50% or more of your costs, as opposed to trying negotiate on your own.

Are you referring to plans that exist right now? My problem is that I have a pre-existing condition, a kidney disease. I can't get any type of medical on my own without paying through the nose until Obamacare kicks in next year. Do you have any links? I get my drugs through a pharmacy where the generic is $10 per month, which isn't bad.

In Michigan there are too many uninsured people and so low-cost clinics aren't accepting uninsured new patients except on a very limited basis (you have to be one of the first 10 callers on the 1st of the month). It's like calling the radio station to win tickets for a concert.

[Protocol417 161]

Thanks for the info. We did get the cash discounted rate to see the doctor. It was $15 off.

Seriously? Wow, that's barely anything.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Are you referring to plans that exist right now? My problem is that I have a pre-existing condition, a kidney disease. I can't get any type of medical on my own without paying through the nose until Obamacare kicks in next year. Do you have any links? I get my drugs through a pharmacy where the generic is $10 per month, which isn't bad.

In Michigan there are too many uninsured people and so low-cost clinics aren't accepting uninsured new patients except on a very limited basis (you have to be one of the first 10 callers on the 1st of the month). It's like calling the radio station to win tickets for a concert.

https://www.google.com/search?q=medical+discount+card

Read the fine print. Some are good deals. Some are scams.

If you are getting generic drugs from Walmart, or another discount pharmacy, then good for you. Walmart has a lot of generic drugs for a lower price than the $20 copay through my healthplan. But it is a 60 day supply versus a 90 supply, and for the five dollar difference, I get them mailed to me for free. If you don't have insurance, then that is a good deal all around.

[Golden Gate 530]

https://www.google.com/search?q=medical+discount+card

Read the fine print. Some are good deals. Some are scams.

If you are getting generic drugs from Walmart, or another discount pharmacy, then good for you. Walmart has a lot of generic drugs for a lower price than the $20 copay through my healthplan. But it is a 60 day supply versus a 90 supply, and for the five dollar difference, I get them mailed to me for free. If you don't have insurance, then that is a good deal all around.

Thanks for the link. I get my prescriptions through Family Fare. They are all usually under $10 for the drugs I need. I can get a 90 day supply, which is great!