Car-Guy
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
I wouldn't have said that 20-30 years ago either. I never thought I'd say a US government program was better than anything offered by private enterprise. IMO, private medical insurance (including drugs) is very likely the most &%^$#* and *&$)%up industry in the US today.If you would have told me 20-30 years ago that Medicare would be considered a "good standard" for health insurance, I would have laughed in your face. I'm not laughing any more.
I can't believe we so easily pay outrageous premiums for years and years (sometimes decades) only to beg/fight for coverage when we have a claim. Between the ever changing in-network doctors and facilities, the use of generic drugs that are often less effective that the "originals" and that are rationed, pre-approvals for more and more procedures, and the continuing change of covered services, the customer/subscriber doesn't stand much of a chance.
IMO, the main value of having any health insurance, is getting the benefit of their negotiated discount rates with the doctors, hospitals and drug providers under their plans. And then only if you follow all their rules, use their doctors/facilities, etc. Maybe.
I seriously considered self insuring before I was covered by Medicare.
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