IndependentlyPoor
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Another couple of ugly but true insurance anecdotes.
I don't want the Libertarians and Republicans here to think I am just piling on. I really am trying to make a positive contribution to the discussion.
1. My best friend (since deceased) was a successful freelance programmer in California. He had group insurance through a professional organization, I believe either the IEEE or ACM. As you probably know, an insurer cannot raise rates unless it raises the rates of the whole group. In a sad coincidence, shortly after he became seriously ill, the insurance company offered an "improved plan" at a significant discount. You would have been a fool not to switch to the new plan. Unfortunately, it required a physical and did not accept folks with pre-existing conditions. A year later, after all the healthy folks switched to the new plan they quadrupled the rates on the old plan. All perfectly legal. Nice huh?
2. I retired from a mega-corp in 2004 after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Since I had worked there for 27 years, I could retire early and remain a member of the health insurance group. I have to pay 100% of the policy cost (no company subsidy), but it is a good deal. The problem is that mega-corp isn't nearly as mega as it used to be and will likely go paws up taking my insurance with it. What chance do you think I will have at getting individual insurance with active prostate cancer? I have been insured for every single day of my life, and now when I need it, I might be out in the cold.
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Yes, I know about the assigned risk pool in Texas. But that is just more government interference with the free market isn't it?[/-]
Forget that last part. Like Martha, I get a bit upset writing about this.
Our system is profoundly unfair to a large minority of the population. Unfortunately, the majority enjoys good medical care and does not realize the fragility of their situation... until it is too late.
I don't want the Libertarians and Republicans here to think I am just piling on. I really am trying to make a positive contribution to the discussion.
1. My best friend (since deceased) was a successful freelance programmer in California. He had group insurance through a professional organization, I believe either the IEEE or ACM. As you probably know, an insurer cannot raise rates unless it raises the rates of the whole group. In a sad coincidence, shortly after he became seriously ill, the insurance company offered an "improved plan" at a significant discount. You would have been a fool not to switch to the new plan. Unfortunately, it required a physical and did not accept folks with pre-existing conditions. A year later, after all the healthy folks switched to the new plan they quadrupled the rates on the old plan. All perfectly legal. Nice huh?
2. I retired from a mega-corp in 2004 after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Since I had worked there for 27 years, I could retire early and remain a member of the health insurance group. I have to pay 100% of the policy cost (no company subsidy), but it is a good deal. The problem is that mega-corp isn't nearly as mega as it used to be and will likely go paws up taking my insurance with it. What chance do you think I will have at getting individual insurance with active prostate cancer? I have been insured for every single day of my life, and now when I need it, I might be out in the cold.
[-]
Yes, I know about the assigned risk pool in Texas. But that is just more government interference with the free market isn't it?[/-]
Forget that last part. Like Martha, I get a bit upset writing about this.
Our system is profoundly unfair to a large minority of the population. Unfortunately, the majority enjoys good medical care and does not realize the fragility of their situation... until it is too late.