Thread Drift

[Catrin]

My concern is the action taken last week by the Republicans did not retain the protection regarding preexisting conditions. There was a time when I would have been denied any coverage at all, so yeah, I'm a bit on the nervous side. I'm fine as long as I'm with my current employer but if they don't replace that protection I am looking a a potentially serious problem in the future. There has also been a change at work where we are no longer paying premiums for the next month but for the current - so our insurance coverage ends the last day of our employment instead of extending one month in the future.

Time well tell, part of me wants to think they REALLY wouldn't remove that protection but this is a new political landscape, it's hard to know what will happen. And, on the scale of serious preexisting conditions mine are on the lower end of that scale, there are many lives that would be seriously impacted if the insurance companies were once again allowed to choose who they would cover.

What I am saying is the situation is far more complicated than those who have the ability to get insurance of some kind and choose not to do so for some reason.

[ny biker]

<sigh> Just got a call from the doctor. I have to go back and repeat the mammogram I had a few days ago because "the image is incomplete and there is an asymmetry on the right side." No indication of a mass, just something that causes 10% of us to be called back for more pain. And the insurance doesn't cover this. I went through the same thing a few years ago and had to pay out of pocket for it. The technician looks at the images when she takes them and there was a time when they would take another image on the spot if things didn't look clear enough. Apparently now they just send you home so you can come back and pay extra for the privilege.

Mad props to the doctor for calling me before the letter arrived from the radiology place. He's at a new practice now where he has to do a lot of things that were handled by nurses and assistants at the last practice. But he still makes the time for these sorts of phone calls to minimize the anxiety that these situations can cause.

===

Update, insurance company says I have a $200 deductible for "outpatient radiology."

I had it scheduled for Tuesday but had to call them back and reschedule for Thursday so it would fall into the next credit card cycle.

[emily_in_nc]

Sorry, NY...that stinks! I remember having to have additional images made before, but it was the same visit; she just took a look and decided a couple were not up to par and took the replacements on the spot. Horrible to have to go back and have more made.

Shouldn't mammograms fall under the preventive care 100% paid by the ACA? I know I haven't had to pay a penny for mine since being on the ACA; they don't fall under any deductible rule, same with my normal "well woman" yearly checkups.

[Crankin]

They may not be aware of that, Emily. Seriously, my gyn tried to charge me for my co-pay the first year the ACA went into effect. Some dumb (male) receptionist was arguing with me! So, I paid the 20.00 and then called later and spoke to the more senior person.

[smilingcat]

This is truly frightening!! If republicans go through with this, without reasonable substitute for ACA and maintaining current coverage, even a basic healthcare will not be available to most all Americans. The ramification of dismantling of ACA aka Obamacare is much bigger than just healthcare.

One of my nagging questions is, is this repeal include a repeal of IRS penalty for failure to have insurance. What if ACA is repealed and you are denied coverage because of whatever, or reached lifetime cap, how are you going to get coverage then be forced to pay the penalty? A lot of people will become indigent (bankrupt) under this scenario.

Back to repeal of ACA repeal in entirety. Number of people who will lose healthcare because of this is just staggering. And if it happens, this will cause loss of patient visit to the doctors, hospitals etc and will force hospitals to close. Loss of high paid jobs. Insurance companies will either have to significantly reduce premium or face "going out of business". This will significantly impact the stock market in negative way and may start the collapse of the market into depression. This is just the nutshell so to speak.

This will be more than a double wammy for average American, loss of health care, potential loss of work and possibly becoming destitute/bankrupt. Dismantling of ACA has a real potential for this kind of fall out.

I am downright angry at the irresponsible behavior of the sadistic republicans. They know the level of pain they will inflict on the average Americans and to gloat and lie about the whole thing is just unbelievable. I'm also really angry at the "rich" people who want more for themselves at the expense of the average Americans. Hording is a mental illness. Hording money is still hording.

Another thing you can do is to turn on your TV during inauguration and watch E! or Nickelodeon or Discovery or Home improvement channel. You just can't leave the TV off. And same with you tube video. Watch movie trailers, anything other than the inauguration.

There is much I want to write, but this forum is not about politics nor about economics. I just will reiterate my anger and dismay at the republican party and those who were hoodwinked into thinking Obamacare is something different than ACA and that Obamacare is some sort of corrupt government handout. Without ACA, I think US healthcare system would have collapsed by now.

[snapdragen]

ACA quite literally saved a friend's life. He had a massive heart attack, surgeries, complications (MRSA) -- a year later he's finally doing better. I can't imagine what would have happened to him without ACA.

[snapdragen]

My oncologist's receptionist always collected a co-pay. Then later, I'd receive a refund check from the medical group.

[Blueberry]

They may not be aware of that, Emily. Seriously, my gyn tried to charge me for my co-pay the first year the ACA went into effect. Some dumb (male) receptionist was arguing with me! So, I paid the 20.00 and then called later and spoke to the more senior person.

It can also be a grandfathered policy. If I had done it in 2016, my IUD would have had a $200 copay plus the $55 copay for insertion. I've had to pay co-pays for birth control pills (still would). Still had to pay the copay for insertion. Still get charged copays for all preventative care visits. It's otherwise an extremely good plan - so I don't b*tch. Much.

[Crankin]

I have never had to pay a co-pay for a physical since then.

[Sky King]

Okay, getting political. My new favorite npr program is A1. If you can catch the recording of today's show (5/12/17) Wow, just Wow. Although I do want a t-shirt that says something like Hello it's Country! not your Fing party that is important.