Health Insurance--BLECK

[FarmerChick]

we got a letter from Tony's health insurance, United Healthcare

all smokers premiums are being raised by 125%


ok, who is next

obese people will be premium increased I am sure in the near future also (heck being obese costs the medical insurers more than a smoker who "might" get sick)

well I don't know but I this letter sure hit me wrong lol


so is it really a control to help stop medical problems or is it another American freedom being cost increased for the almighty dollar? One group has to suffer to pay for the other sick group lol


ugh

anyone else get this type of letter yet from their insurer?

 

[kcsunshine]

No, but I'm with you. It won't be the last. If one group can't make a law to break your spirit, the other group will raise rates and break your bank. Oh well, guess I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

 

[Wildsky]

They will eventually have to tax and raise premiums on another group of people, so far everyone seems to demonize the smokers so nobody stands up for them. When they get to the obese, everyone will be crying out to support them, well perhaps not the ones who still smoke.

But for now, the government and insurance companies are cashing in where they can get away with it.

 

[FarmerChick]

well in way isn't going to screw the govt.

I mean, they tax cigs real high and govt get their money

more people will quit smoking (maybe lol) and that cuts into govt taxes

well, wait, they will tax something else I am sure haha



govt is broke
they sure need all the money they can get to stay alive lol

 

[ksalvagno]

Actually, insurance companies already charge more for obese people. A friend's daughter had to get health coverage and they were given a quote but when they got the bill, it was significantly higher. Turned out that someone put the wrong weight in, making her obese and increasing her premium.

 

[FarmerChick]

wow I didn't know that the weight would effect the cost

hmmmm

we know they have higher prems if you are older, now smokers....ok who is next? maybe by race. You know they say some races are more prone to certain (for lack of a better word, expensive) diseases to treat.

honestly it is just annoying as heck what they do to us in this lifetime lol



being in a group policy I don't think we get rated by "weight", and we get the company discounts etc for being a big group, etc etc

I haven't looked at getting a personal policy for some time and I bet I would be in shock if I did...cause last time when I checked it made me gag!

 

[i_am2bz]

My employer now requires us to fill out a "health survey" on the BCBS website every year, asking how often we excercise, drink, etc. and when the last time we had a mammogram, colonoscopy, dental checkup, etc. A co-worker has gotten a letter from BCBS asking why she hasn't had a colonoscopy yet...you know what's coming - if workers don't "measure up" in some way, our benefits will either be canceled or premiums raised...

Another example of Big Government - or should I say Big Corporation...

 

[valmom]

Welcome to the mandatory health insurance masquerading as health care reform. Now that we are mandated to buy insurance the corporations can charge whatever they want.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

- if workers don't "measure up" in some way, our benefits will either be canceled or premiums raised...

they just did this at my sister's company. worse - they made everyone get an "evaluation" .....in front of everyone else. of course she is a smoker AND is heavy so they gave her a lecture. but it wasnt private so everyone heard. then she had to go out there in front of all her co workers.

some of the other ladies cried when they were "evaluated".. but my sis is like me so she basically marched out there, put her hands on her hips, and said

"they said i was obese - does anyone have anything to say about it"

and they all avoided eye contact.

and she doesnt even have an axe.

we're all waiting for "them" to come after the raw milk drinkers and runny egg eaters.

this whole thing is totally stupid. for instance they'd look at my sis and burst into a rage about her... but she had 3 kids without as much as one tear and left the next day.

while my supposedly super-healthy sis in law had her baby 6 weeks early and cost over $250K in medical expenses.

as for us we have that catastrophic kind since neither one of us is ever sick. but throw in a trip to civilization (first time sick in 5 years - bronchitis for me 6 weeks of recovery) and then two ridiculous barnyard injuries for my hubby.... we hit our deductible without even trying. sheesh.....

now they are telling us we cant even use the nearest "urgent care" place.. and we have to PAY FOR an appt with a doctor so we can have a "relationship" so if we do need medical help we can get an apptment. around here it takes 2 - 4 MONTHS to get a 'first time' doctor visit.

they might as well run up the jolly roger - pirates i tell ya.

so i'm giving them all the big whatever.

 

[Javamama]

so we can have a "relationship"

I got that line from our pediatrician last year because I hadn't had my kids on for over 2 years. I told them I had no reason to bring them in because they don't get sick. They gave me the crap about the "relationship" and I gave them the finger and a big adios.

I got a letter from our insurance company about it too. And DH has to do the evaluation too. Get this- he's 6'1" and about 174, thin and muscular. They categorized his weight and BMI at "dangerous" or some poop like that. Seriously, he couldn't BE in better shape!
This year he lied on the questionnaire about his diet. I guess the fact that he eats 3 or 4 eggs a day knocked points off his score last year

And he said that evaluation for spouses is coming to a plan near us soon.

Because I have a short torso and have been stretched by 3 pregnancies, my BMI is always going to be high and it's going to cost us.

Rant over for now