I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Waving hello to everybody!  I've been reading but I'm not sure when I actually posted last.  Mostly I just nod my head in agreement, chuckle, or commiserate.  And then I'm so far behind I don't know where to start.  Sending (((hugs))) and good vibes out to all in need of them.  Love you all!

Been playing in the snow a lot this year.  Old Man Winter can't pack up and go away quick enough for me.  I'm not entitled to complain too much though.  I'm retired and do not have to go out in it until it's passable and it's not like a little snow shoveling is beyond my capabilities.  It just interferes with my laziness.   

Wabbit - good point.  By getting insurance, we as customers are getting the negotiated rate between the insurance company and the provider for any given medical procedure.  One can negotiate on their own, but there are some that will never negotiate - I'm thinking anethesiologists   It's all a question of supply and demand.

As far as the $1200 a month, that would be for a family, and presumable two people working or one person working with a good income?  That is $600 a month per adult, and if there are children, less per person.....that is cheaper than my insurance, though my employer pays 2/3rds of my premium.  It seems like a good deal, insurance wise, given the benefits I've seen on Obamacare (I still pay $5000 out of pocket before 100% gets paid, have a deductible, copays, etc..), though it might not be affordable to a family that finds itself in the donut hole.  I get that.

Anyone know the answer to this?  If one is in a married couple and one of the couple has insurance, but the employer drops the spouse  from that insurance, such as UPS did to it's workers, can the non-insured spouse file for Obamacare as a single person and use their own wages to determine their subsidy?  Maybe they would consider the insured spouse's income, still, in that determination? 

Addressing what blantona said specifically, I though Obama recently extended those lousy policies for those that would have been cancelled otherwise under the new rules?

Hmm, maybe my state is different or my providers but I have actually found the opposite to be true. If I have insurance, my ins. may be billed 5k for a procedure that I will be billed 1500 for if paying cash. The ins. co. has negotiated prices with the Dr.'s and will pay say 1200 for the same procedure. So the INS. CO. gets to pay even less while soaking the customers for premiums. So yes I pay more for the procedure than the ins. co. actually pays but still far less than the cost of premiums plus out of pocket and deductibles. As I stated before, that only works if it's a less intensive situation. For someone looking at extensive surgery and treatments, of course it will be expensive, however, even in that case seems the 12k, plus....that is quoted in the post is still below my threshold of premiums and deductibles.

Well, well, well, ladies and I use the term loosely for a very select few of you,

And please don't even try to take offense to that...You have called me a freeloader and sh*t for brains. Really! I have had at least one person from this thread following my posts on the January 2014 surgery thread. Why? you ask? Or did any of you ask or care about the vile things she has been posting about me. These are targeted attacks against me personally. And some of you jump on her personal band wagon without reading for yourselves what I said. The worst part is that you found it all so amusing. How, is or has BREAST CANCER ever been amusing?

Also

I've been ridiculed for smoking, but one of the ladies here said she smoked, but had insurance. huh! so smoking is ok for her but not for me. BTW  haven't had a cig in 2 weeks...Bravo for me!

The posts have been evil and cruel.

Let me enlighten you wonderful ladies about me, seeing as how this one person has given you a totally bogus impression of who I am and what I have posted.

Yes, I do NOT have insurance. I could not get insurance. Let me repeat that... I could not get, purchase, beg for insurance. Why? During open enrollment at my DH's company, because Obamacare mandated that employers could use their 2013 plan, which included a pre existing clause I was not eligible for insurance. Because my Dh's company offered insurance I can not get obamacare. K? understand.

My state did not expand the Medicaid limits, so I am, AGAIN, NOT eligible for that either. 

Yes, I said I didn't really want either anyway, because I don't want to be on the dole nor do I want to be forced to buy something, anything, by my government. On the other hand I did try to buy obamacare and spent 16 hours+ trying to get anywhere on the website.

Another point is my BS and PCP don't take obamacare anyway.

So now to me being a freeloader. I NEVER asked for any reduction in my bills. I was offered the reductions by the hospital and my BS. WHY???? You tell me. I never asked, that was their choice.

let me state this very, very clearly I AM PAYING CASH for my treatment. 

I have shared the costs of treatment in my posts, but have never complained of the cost. I am DEEPLY humbled by the generosity of the providers that have reduced my bill.

You people that think I am a freeloader and have sh*t for brains and anyone else that reads that drivel and laughs and believs it...get this...

you smug women have insurance. You pay into a risk pool. You HAVE not paid for your treatment in cash...other...OTHER people in the same risk pool are paying for your treatment....GET IT.

ONE other thing, as far as me stating "I may walk away from chemo" and the comments about that...I said for many reasons besides the money I may walk away from chemo and AI's. There are a huge amount of non monetary reasons I may do that. pre- existing conditions reasons.

Here is the final deal, I too have effing breast cancer...Some of you attacked me with your very political spin....You insulted me and quite frankly made me cry in devastation with your remarks. I am only 3 weeks out from having my boobs amputated and I hope you will leave me and my posts the eff alone.

I do not HATE Obama, and do not hate obamacare.

peace and healing,

Eve

I was under the impression that UPS only dropped spouses who were able to get coverage from their own employer, but did not drop those who were either unemployed or unable to receive coverage.

In regard to the amount for insurance.  When I retired, neither hubby or I were yet eligible for Medicare - therefore we opted for Cobra coverage at a cost of $1335 per month.  We did not go the Obamacare route, even though it would have been less expensive - not massively less, but less, because we are not yet sure that the Republicans will not be able to get rid of it.  Since we both have pre-existing conditions, it seemed to be too big of a chance to take.  Also, if we would have gone any other route, when we are eligible for medicare next year, we would not have been eligible for my company's Medicare add-on - and it appears to be a pretty good option.  I REALLY wish that single payer would have been an option with Obamacare.

In regard to the cost of healthcare if uninusered.  Most doctors here in Washington will also offer a reduced rate to someone who is paying CASH.  If, however, cash is not an option, then neither is the reduced rate.

Edited to add...  Momaton - I do not know you, have never posted about you, have never even read about you, to the best of my knowledge.  I hope you are well.

Momaton, I post in this thread with this lovely group of ladies from time to time but have been busy with real life so not sure exactly what all has been going on and really don't want to know. But in your last post you mentioned that your husband's company insured him but not you due to your pre-existing conditions and you said that you can't get Obamacare because he has this insurance. You are eligible for Obamacare. It is difficult if your state government is not cooperating with the ACA but please look for an insurance broker. Or try the website again, it is working better now - and you don't have to do it all online. There's a phone number that which you can call and handle things that way. Good luck. I hope you get the coverage you need.

Hey everybody else. Chickadee, Enjoyful and Glenna you're in my thoughts. Yorkie, sorry to hear about your fur baby.

Well, bye then.

So long!

Ain't  no morons here.  I also don't go looking for aggravation anymore, got too much on my plate and want the sunnier side where I can find it. 

Please grumpy, irritable, confrontational people find a thread for yourselves and settle in with a nice beverage and a cookie 

Well, I'm here late and have little to add.  So many of you have said it so well already.  I have made a HUGE habit of not addressing anyone personally as such.  I guess I'm the "odd" person out as I feel in order to actually score on someone, you really should KNOW them.    I may have a lot to say over many, many things, but it is in general. 

Wabbit...great to see you.  Can't recall how many times lately I've wondered what you were up too.  If you can get your winter to go away, maybe mine will too.  I see we are not that far away from each other.  Too much bragging on my part....about this little pocket of territory where we live.  This part of the country is referred to as Little Egypt because we usually have it much milder than anything going on around us.  This winter has been a bummer.  Got up to 30 degrees today but I'm told we will go back to the deep-freeze later tonight or tomorrow...oh joy.  We still have five or 6 inches of the white stuff here.  Not so bad out in the country...it stays pristine for the most part, but it is getting tiresome. 

Many a year it has been warm enough in February to open the windows for a bit and fill the house with fresh and un-stale air.  I'm sure it is not going to happen very soon and not this February either.

Done with work this week-end.  Nice paycheck though.  Kept me off of here and the other areas where I post. 

I think you got it right Blue.

Jackie

ETA:  Well bye from me as well. 

Oy.

Momaton

I have not read any posts except those here.   The term "freeloader" seemed to be being used ironically, but that is just my take.  I do not think anyone intended to insult any one who is unable to obtain health insurance.

AS someone who has voted and argued my entire lie for universal single payer health care, along with many of the other other women here, I would never denigrate someone who does not have health insurance.  However, the fact that you consider expanded Medicaid as being on the dole does seem to indicate a political world view that differs from mine.  I would never think that a person who works but doesn't earn enough to live and pay for insurance as being on the dole because he or she is able to get expanded Medicaid.  I consider that MacDonald's and Walmart are on the dole because they refuse to pay their employees living wages and the rest of us are in fact subsidizing multi-million dollar companies, which are therefore able to pay poverty wages.

That's neither here nor there.

I am under the impression that insurance companies cannot turn you down for pre-existing conditions.  You might want to call a health consultant or even an attorney in your state who specializes in health care law.  You should be able to be covered on your husband's plan.

The problem with American healthcare is indeed that it is inelastic - and that the prices set have no relation to cost or in fact to anything in particular.  There have been numerous articles on the fact that th exact same hip replacement will cost $14,000 in Belgium and $75,000 in the United States.  There is something very wrong here, and I don't think that the astronomical costs here in the US can be justified as having superior outcomes.  This is perhaps where the laissez faire attitude towards profit - and the idea that health care is just another free market commodity - has created a monster.

Rosemary - my gf got Obamacare for $45 a month and is now scheduled for hip replacement surgery on March 18th.  She will have to dig into her little bit of savings while not working during her recovery period and now because she can't really function at work full time - she can barely walk, but she had no hope of any replacement surgery without Obamacare.  She also told me last night, she wanted to feel like she was paying her way and though she knows she is being subsidized, and will still have out-of-pocket expenses, she feels like she is contributing to the cost of this operation while not having to lose her home to have the operation.

Sunny...my title here is why didn't I think of that !!!!!  But was going to post that I'm likely a freeloader as well.  When I lost my Ins. and realized something BAD was wrong and had no idea where to turn, I checked into the V.A. and they took me on and have taken most excellent care of me.   I might add as well that I brought home after every chemo infusion 7 shots of Neupogin to give myself.....costing roughly $7,500 for the week and I did this for 8 infusions.   I am grateful every day that I had them to turn too.  I do now have Medicare so am not required to solicit ACA insurance, but would in a heartbeat otherwise. 

I too am truly sorry for anyone that CANNOT get Insurance.  I know what the terror is like of not having it, but un-like some, I had no money either.  So....technically, I am a freeloader.  I'd cry in my beer but I don't drink it.  I'd cry in my Coke, but I don't drink that either -- very rarely I'll have  Sierra Mist because it has real sugar in it rather than corn syrup....guess I could cry in that.  Well, heck.....most of the time I'm not the crying type....so I'll just be grateful and let it go. 

Jackie