Lefty 0 #1 January 18, 2008 Say it ain't so! The government is obviously the only entity that is capable of such a feat! StoryProvoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #2 January 18, 2008 That seems like a really good program. If they had it here (and I was paying for insurance... it's a job benefit), I'd drop my insurance coverage down to cover major injuries/illnesses only, and pay my doctor directly for the other stuff. The more we can keep insurance companies out, the better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tkhayes 348 #3 January 18, 2008 great if primary care is all you ever need. colds, bruised knees and cuts are not what bankrupts people in this country. The broken ankle, costing you $25,000+ is what causes the headache - and that is nto covered by this 'cheap' plan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 0 #4 January 18, 2008 Quotegreat if primary care is all you ever need. colds, bruised knees and cuts are not what bankrupts people in this country. The broken ankle, costing you $25,000+ is what causes the headache - and that is nto covered by this 'cheap' plan. Right. However, for reasons explained in the article, that does not diminish the value of this sort of program in the least.Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #5 January 18, 2008 From the article: "She paid the full cost of the x-ray. She also paid for some expensive antibiotics. " No, shit. People will pay for necessary treatment? The whole thing probably cost her LESS than her insurance. Once people start viewing health insurance like they do car insurance or home insurance, things will go more easily. Car insurance doesn't pay for oil changes, fuel, or new tires. It is there for peace of mind in the event of a major event. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
georgerussia 0 #6 January 18, 2008 Quote Once people start viewing health insurance like they do car insurance or home insurance, things will go more easily. Car insurance doesn't pay for oil changes, fuel, or new tires. It is there for peace of mind in the event of a major event. Some insurance companies sell this kind of health insurance, which only pays when there's major event (like having 5K deductible and paying nothing until the deductible is satisfied). It is also cheaper.* Don't pray for me if you wanna help - just send me a check. * Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #7 January 18, 2008 Outstanding!! Proof again that the insurance industry is part of the problem with escalating costs. It's not all their fault, but doctors in this case, have been able to remove that bureaucracy from their overhead. Good stuff!! ...and in Rhode Island of all places!So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #8 January 19, 2008 as it clearly points out, this isn't "health care." What it offers is certainly beneficial, but it would not be suitable for any of us, for example. We'll still need medical insurance. There is also the question of how this will scale beyond 21 doctors. But this isn't the first private sector effort with promise. There is a chain of clinics that offer the basic common needs (shots, exams) for cash only, removing the bureaucracies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #9 January 19, 2008 Quotegreat if primary care is all you ever need. colds, bruised knees and cuts are not what bankrupts people in this country. The broken ankle, costing you $25,000+ is what causes the headache - and that is nto covered by this 'cheap' plan. For that, there are companies that provide emergency care coverage. The insurance systems are overwhelmed trying to manage cost/care ratios. Doctors are overwhelmed trying to accommodate the paper-work-mountain-limit-pay-for-service BS.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #10 January 19, 2008 Imagine people being willing to pay as much for their health care as they are willing to pay for their fingernails. Really. Can't get folks to pay a $20 copay (because they "don't have enough money"), but they can pay for fingernails and cell phone text messaging. Screw that.-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 0 #11 January 19, 2008 Quoteas it clearly points out, this isn't "health care." From the article: "The fees vary by practice, with a monthly retainer of $25 or $30 per person (with discounts for families) and office-visit co-pays of $5 or $10. For this price, patients get all the basics of primary care: yearly physicals, well-child visits, checkups, sick visits within a day of calling, school and sports physicals, family planning, preventive health advice and a doctor to call to at any hour when they feel sick." Sounds like health care to me. It won't cover specialty care, but what you get for the money you put in is great.Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #12 January 19, 2008 Quote Sounds like health care to me. It won't cover specialty care, but what you get for the money you put in is great. It's basically an HMO - where you get the primary care physician, but nothing more. For me, the services described are ones I usually take care of myself. But coupled with an HSA and a catastrophic insurance policy, might work for some. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #13 January 19, 2008 QuoteImagine people being willing to pay as much for their health care as they are willing to pay for their fingernails. Really. Can't get folks to pay a $20 copay (because they "don't have enough money"), but they can pay for fingernails and cell phone text messaging. Screw that. Well said!Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 0 #14 January 20, 2008 Man, where are all the detractors? These posts are too positive.Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful. -Calvin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #15 April 16, 2008 QuoteThe more we can keep insurance companies out, the better. Exactly!Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #16 April 16, 2008 Quote "The fees vary by practice, with a monthly retainer of $25 or $30 per person (with discounts for families) and office-visit co-pays of $5 or $10. For this price, patients get all the basics of primary care: yearly physicals, well-child visits, checkups, sick visits within a day of calling, school and sports physicals, family planning, preventive health advice and a doctor to call to at any hour when they feel sick." Sounds like health care to me. It won't cover specialty care, but what you get for the money you put in is great. Sounds lousy to me. Nearly all the time my insurance company spends less than $300-$360/year on those things and if I were footing the entire bill for insurance I'd do better paying the doctors for those things out of pocket. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #17 April 17, 2008 Quoteand if I were footing the entire bill for insurance I'd do better paying the doctors for those things out of pocket. Precisely!Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
