Healthcare Insurance Costs in Texas and the 2010 Law

[eytonxav]

The Fort Worth paper had a very interesting article the other day and it shed some light about why the rates in Texas are high vs other states, and that there are some cost controls in Obama care that I actually didn't realize existed.

There is a provision in the law that if a healthcare company has a g&a cost greater than 15 or 20% for a plan year, it must rebate the overage back to the policy holders. The article sites an example where NY collects 2x $s in premiums vs Texas, yet Texas will owe rebates 6X greater $ wise vs NY. It also points out that Texas regulators (aka crooks) are likely not to allow the rebates to go through as provided under Obama care.

I have always felt we are getting a screwing in Texas with what we have to pay for health insurance and that our regulators are corrupt.

Texas health insurance rebates are on the line | Mitchell Schnurman | Dallas Business, T...

 

[modhatter]

Gee, what a surprise. Regulators looking out for big business instead of it's people.

 

[ziggy29]

Texas is pretty well known for an environment that favors big business vis a vis employees and consumers. No shock there.

 

[East Texas]

I'll add to the situation. My plan severely punishes its membership for going out of network. The only hospital in our county is out-of-network as are all of the doctors. One hospital in the neighboring county is in network; however, none of the doctors are in network. So I have to go to Shreveport for all my medical needs. I told my spouse if I have a life and death medical condition to put me in the car and get me across the Louisiana line. Then call an ambulance.

I'll go on Medicare in a few years and hopefully the life and death emergency thing doesn't have to be so drastic.

All said, I'm glad to have health insurance in retirement. It may be a little inconvenient to get to my healthcare providers right now; but, not having insurance would be a lot more inconvenient.

 

[REWahoo]

I told my spouse if I have a life and death medical condition to put me in the car and get me across the Louisiana line. Then [-]call an ambulance[/-] find me a bowl of gumbo.

FIFY

 

[East Texas]

I told my spouse if I have a life and death medical condition to put me in the car and get me across the Louisiana line. Then [-]call an ambulance[/-] find me a bowl of gumbo.

FIFY

I told my spouse if I have a life and death medical condition to put me in the car and get me across the Louisiana line. Then [-]call an ambulance[/-] find me a cold beer.

Now it's really fixed!

 

[obgyn65]

I am just waiting for someone to blame this insurance rip off situation on Obama, hence closing this thread !

 

[REWahoo]

I am just waiting for someone to blame this insurance rip off situation on Obama, hence closing this thread !

Thanks for dragging politics into the thread.

 

[youbet]

I have always felt we are getting a screwing in Texas with what we have to pay for health insurance and that our regulators are corrupt.

Folks from Illinois might have little sympathy for you all......... Compared to our politicians and regulators, the Texas bunch are OK.

You'd have to be here to understand. The media portrayals of our near bankrupt pension funds, high taxes vs poor services, corrupt politicians and puppet regulators are highly understated. Otherwise, it's great.......

 

[golfnut]

Folks from Illinois might have little sympathy for you all......... Compared to our politicians and regulators, the Texas bunch are OK.

You'd have to be here to understand. The media portrayals of our near bankrupt pension funds, high taxes vs poor services, corrupt politicians and puppet regulators are highly understated. Otherwise, it's great.......

Totally agree. I want out Illinois so badly but my wife will not hear of it. I keep suggesting nw Indiana.

Golfnut

 

[youbet]

Totally agree. I want out Illinois so badly but my wife will not hear of it. I keep suggesting nw Indiana.

Golfnut

Yep, I'd leave in a flash except for some anchors we can't seem to figure our way around involving a grandchild with special needs.

OP..... sorry for the thread highjack. Carry on everyone.

 

[martyb]

I'll add to the situation. My plan severely punishes its membership for going out of network. The only hospital in our county is out-of-network as are all of the doctors. One hospital in the neighboring county is in network; however, none of the doctors are in network. So I have to go to Shreveport for all my medical needs. I told my spouse if I have a life and death medical condition to put me in the car and get me across the Louisiana line. Then call an ambulance.

I'll go on Medicare in a few years and hopefully the life and death emergency thing doesn't have to be so drastic.

All said, I'm glad to have health insurance in retirement. It may be a little inconvenient to get to my healthcare providers right now; but, not having insurance would be a lot more inconvenient.

Probably better med care & Dr.s in Shreveport anyhow... At least, that's what some of my friends over in Marshall tell me. I spend 1/2 my week in Bossier/Shreveport, so I might be somewhat prejudiced. I know one thing for sure...the 3 or 4 times I've used doctors down here in the Lufkin & Nacogdoches area, I've been disappointed. I always end up going back to the Shreveport area Dr.s Hey, while you're over there, might as well drop a few hundred $$ in our casinos....

 

[East Texas]

Probably better med care & Dr.s in Shreveport anyhow... At least, that's what some of my friends over in Marshall tell me. I spend 1/2 my week in Bossier/Shreveport, so I might be somewhat prejudiced. I know one thing for sure...the 3 or 4 times I've used doctors down here in the Lufkin & Nacogdoches area, I've been disappointed. I always end up going back to the Shreveport area Dr.s Hey, while you're over there, might as well drop a few hundred $$ in our casinos....

Uh, that would be Bossier City, not Shreveport.... The only time I cross the bridge is when I need to go to Outdoor World - the official mother ship. Our doctor is on the southwest side of Shreveport so we come in on the Mansfield Highway. Then we tootle over to Olive Garden. Must make the most of a trip to the big city. We usually get gas at the WalMart on our way home because, for some weird reason, gas is cheaper in La than Tx. Oh, that just lends itself to so many comments.... <bracing for ReWahoo....>

 

[REWahoo]

You buy gas in LA? I usually get it free after eating Cajun food. <rimshot>

Yep. like so many basics*, gas is more expensive in TX than most other states.

*I'd list a few but usually can't recall more than two...

 

[eytonxav]

Folks from Illinois might have little sympathy for you all......... Compared to our politicians and regulators, the Texas bunch are OK.

You'd have to be here to understand. The media portrayals of our near bankrupt pension funds, high taxes vs poor services, corrupt politicians and puppet regulators are highly understated. Otherwise, it's great.......

Yep, its all relative. Aside from the crosses we bear in dealing with regulators (with some crosses being heavier than others), the part of the article that surprised me was the capping of adminstrative costs contained in Obamacare. I was not aware that any cost containment provisions were in there in any form, so that was a bit of a pleasant surprise to me, even if it ends up being usurped by states rights regulators. Given the NY vs TX example, I really wonder why things like this do not receive more media coverage. Nevertheless, I thought it was a good article.