If You’re Not Part Of The Healthcare Cost Solution, You’re Part Of The Problem

This blog is written by an individual Wellness.com forum member and does not necessarily state the views of Wellness.com Incorporated or any of its affiliates.

 

I don’t even know where to start with this post. Are people really so out of touch with what's really going on out here in the REAL WORLD?? Are people not doing any research on this issue??

How about getting some real, every day Americans telling some stories- maybe we can even find someone who is knowledgeable on how the "program" AND insurance/drug companies really work (any employees out there?).

The insurance companies aren't paying for these illnesses long-term or at all. This is a lame copout, a sorry excuse to deny coverage and extort money from hardworking business owners (like myself and my 35 employees) who are perfectly healthy. The diseases you have referenced are pre-existing conditions OR have limited coverage according to most plans (not enough to justify higher rates). These companies are actually making money (or not losing any) by denying coverage or limiting benefits.

So, would you like to explain why these companies are raking in record profits while we Cretins continue to go without coverage? Also, what kind of Doctor are you, "drhealth"? Credentials, please, or are you a Sock Puppet? Please tell me what planet you're on, I'd like to visit.

The insurance companies do not pay for the illnesses long-term for these patients. When the coverage runs out, we pay for it via Medi/Medi or some other local taxation. Hmmm, I'm paying for other peoples coverage, yet can't afford my own. And the drug/insurance companies are making record profits. Go figure. Do more homework, please. Don't be so naive. Find out what the motivating factors are for insurance companies to raise rates and deny coverage before making these blanket statements.

 

Sorry- I'm kinda mad that I had to pay more tonight for my migraine medication than usual... this set me off a bit. We all should take better care of our health regardless of insurance/drug company factors.

 

The ridiculous cost of health care and insurance is definitely the single largest financial issue for individuals. 50+% of all personal bankruptcies are filed due to medical bills. I don't know what the answer is, but it's an undeniably HUGE problem that HAS to have some real work done on it. It seems morally bankrupt to tell people that they have to die or live in debt slavery due to medical bills.

On a personal note drhealth, I didn't enjoy the false dichotomy that was put to me. False dichotomies are the kinds of things I expect from those who can't argue their point on merit, and instead choose to use that tactic as a means of intimidation. "You're either with us or you're with the terrorists!" Sorry, but to me it comes off like a cheap Bush style scare tactic.

 

DrHealth has a good point. If people would exercise and eat better, we wouldn't have a health crisis. Doctors have said it for years: the health crisis is caused by an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and poor diet (and higher stress lifestyles).

We can't blame the individual alone though. The "system" which is all of us, needs to put programs and laws into to place to encourage prevention. Just like speed limits, most humans are too stupid and shortsighted to see the effects of their actions in the distant future.

That's why we have speed limits and laws, because people need to be protected from themselves. So a little help from policy would probably help solve the problem better than paying for everyone's healthcare. Free healthcare is a bandaid if people keep eating poorly, not exercising, and not managing their stress. That's my two cents.

 

EWilson, do you and drhealth really think health care costs will go down if we all eat nuts and berries and do Yoga? No, they won’t. We will be healthier and live longer, but these companies will still find a way to raise rates or deny coverage. Why is it that you think unhealthy lifestyles contribute to rising health care costs when the industry DOESN’T even cover these diseases fully? If you have insurance, look at your coverage. It’s all there in black and white. Yes, eating poorly is unwise and costly in many ways. The rising cost of health care is not because they are covering everyone who has lung cancer, diabetes or heart disease. And just for giggles, 20 migraine capsules were $34 for me the other night. I asked for 10 (b/c I don’t have insurance) they told me 10 would cost $25. The pharm tech actually said prices are based in bulk. These companies are out of control. Eat healthy, just be realistic when it comes to Big Business.

 

It seems as though our country has been focused on "treatment" as opposed to prevention for a very long time. A hospital administrator the other day said that he was in the "sickness" business?!? So, people wait until they are sick and then head to the emergency room with or without insurance. Either way, everyone pays. Why not provide access so folks can do preventative work and make it affordable? We do preventative work on our cars and homes, but, some how, neglect our most important asset: us. We have a solution. Folks participate in memberships that allow them access to all types of health/wellness services. Everyone is accepted. No denials. We are trying to play a part in helping folks who have no insurance as well as those who do, but can't afford to use it. Project Wellness. Our response from small business, individuals and families has been great and we see it as a trend. We at Project Wellness want people to have choice in their services and use the services. Don't wait to meet your deductible and then have the insurance company decide what is and isn't covered. Let's make it health CARE and no simply health COST . . . www.salud.myprojectwellness.com . . . Steve

7/21/2008 9:07:23 AM

I am not a doctor but I have been involved in wellness health product and consulting solutions for doctors, hospitals, fitness and corp health programs for 20+ years. I agree with WellNow, and EWilson. I see healthcare headed in the same direction as Social Security. The money is going to run dry one day. Yes, more and more companies are not able to afford health insurance or individuals. I saw too many people wanting to live how they want and expect the system to be responsible for paying for it.
I want to know what are people willing to do if their healthcare and costs was up to themselves? Do you believe that the healthcare system has created some of the problems by making us too dependent on it for all the answers? I know we all can be more empowered to living more healthfully on our own without as much reliance on the "system".
drhealth

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7/21/2008 9:37:41 AM

I haven't heard from anyone as to specifically what they would do on a daily basis personally to live a more preventive healthful lifestyle so they could limit the amount of medications, doctor visits and hospital stays.
Does anyone have a plan that they think works? Do you feel you are not empowered in this area or this just isn't realistic and it really wouldn't make a big enough difference anyway?
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I think prevention is a lot simpler than people think, but it's hard to have the discipline to do it. People need to eat better including salad (real salad, not iceberg lettuce) and fruits twice a day; essentially with every meal. And they need to exercise 4-5 times per week. Also, managing stress and getting enough sleep I think are important. People know this, but they lack the discipline to do it.

Like I said in my last comment, I think some government policies that put pressure on restaurants and food manufacturers to make healthier food would help. Also, I think employers should be encouraged somehow (maybe with tax breaks) to foster exercise and stress management amongst employees.

Sure, the insurance companies are hiking prices and the healthcare system needs a lot of work, but I think at least half of that would be helped from people living a healthier lifestyle.

 

Sure wouldn’t it be great to get 8 hours of sleep a night and rest on my days off… oh, but wait, I can’t do that, I own my own business. I also know plenty of people who have children or work two jobs who realistically can’t do that either and discipline has nothing to do with it.

The system is being depleted by our aging baby-boomers and the overwhelming majority of children who’s parents do not have (can’t afford) medical insurance. NOT BY people with preventive health care issues.

“dr.health” you are not a doctor and should NOT be calling yourself one. I don’t know where you are seeing all these people with the health issues from poor diets, but I see 100’s of infants and children the MediCal offices everyday. I see my aging parents go without heart medication and charging their Dr’s visits to their credit cards. I hate to say this but these parents probably will use their vouchers for processed foods as opposed to fresh fruit and vegetables. Which probably will lead to obesity or diabetes.

What do I do without private coverage? I choose not to get mammograms, I choose not to go on as many vacations as I’d like to. I choose not to ski, I choose not to hike. I am extremely careful of what kind of exercise I do. I worry A LOT that some idiot will fly through the intersection and hit my car…. WHILE I’M IN IT! These are some of the things “I DO” because I can’t afford insurance. What do you do? Oh, I also have to pay more for prescriptions that have nothing to do with my diet and I don’t go to the doctor. I tough it out when I drop a bag of groceries on my foot and brake some toes. I would like you to research how many people vs. how many that don’t, who are depleting the system dry as you say they are. I don’t think it’s as high as you think.

Ewilson, did you ever read your insurance plan??

 

Kathy, sounds like you've got it tough. You're the exception though, not the rule. Of 300 million Americans, only 40 million are uninsured. That's roughly 13%. I think DrHealth is addressing the 87% of people who do have insurance and make poor health choices.

Regarding having a business and two kids, I know plenty of people, including my parents, who worked full time, long hours, and still stayed in shape. We all have choices in our life. You chose to own a business that takes up all your time. It's not right or wrong. It's what you decided to do with your life.

You do have options though. No one in the United States is trapped. That's what I love about this country. Anyone can structure their life any way they want.

 

Ewilson, you spend too much time reading government statistics (and on this site). You are so busy believing every Study and Statistic by any agency out there online, that you can’t see what’s out here in the real world.

You still won’t tell us what you found in your insurance packet, either. Why do you continually argue subjects you have no understanding or comprehension of?

As for your statistic you have not sited your reference (once again). I certainly am not the exception, you and your parents are. I have way too much company. Perhaps you would see that if you were involved in your community. People are losing their homes. There are 3 bank owned homes on my street (and I live in an area where the AMI is above the National average. Do you think these people who lost their homes are still paying their healthcare insurance? I don’t even think the majority of these people even have jobs now. So where is your 87% coming from and what is it based on?

And stop calling that phony a Doctor. Wouldn’t you be able to do an accurate, unbiased, independent study on how many children and families are uninsured? You could support your research with the unemployment rate, the economy, the mortgage crises and the basic cost of healthcare in general. Your math doesn’t add up. Have your boss or HR department to break it down how much it costs to insure you, your co-workers AND still run a business. I hope you’re job is safe and that your company doesn’t have to layoff anyone. It’s happening left and right and no one is safe in these times. It is an awful thing to have to lay people off that really don't have anywhere else to go in these times.

And will you ever answer any direct questions? Ever? When are you going to read your insurance plan and tell me what it says about coverage of terminal illnesses? I know you won’t because it won't support your theory or your argument.

 

I haven't read most of this thread but I saw it on the most recent posts. I looked up to see how many Americans are insured and this was the first link I found. http://www.nchc.org/facts/coverage.shtml

"Nearly 47 million Americans, or 16 percent of the population, were without health insurance in 2005, the latest government data available. The number of uninsured rose 2.2 million between 2005 and 2006 and has increased by almost 9 million people since 2000."

 

This is a very interesting discussion. The drug companies and the insurance companies are making billions of dollars, I hope we all agree on that. Agreed, people need to be more responsible for their health and wellness. However, that is not the answer to the COST of health care. The money part of the problem has to do with our government supporting free health care for illegal immigrants and all others who abuse the health care system in this country. The problem is that the wealthy have access to health care. The poor and the illegal immigrants have access to it because it is free to them. It's all the working class people that are hard at work who are getting the short end of the stick. And, ironically, we tend to be among the healthiest groups in the population.

If our government put a halt to this "everyone is entitled to whatever they want no matter what the cost to the rest of the country" attitude, things would be much better.

 

Bryan, that was perfect. Thank you for taking the emotion out of the topic and being so clear on the point(s). The cost of healthcare(private coverage) still shouldn't be affected by the Government's coverage of indigents. I believe that if healthcare were more affordable (privately) it would take a significant burdan off the "system" in general.

BlueCat, those stats are higher, but I can't help but question the margin of error in Govt. data. I'm only in the 70K range anually and many friends are in the same bracket. About half of us are without coverage. There are certainly times that I wish I still made 40K but had good coverage (not often tho) ;)

Something needs to be done, soon. I just don't see how companies can/will be able to provide coverage for their employees at these costs. It's really the "smaller" companies that support the economy when you compare with the larger corporations. I wish I could afford coverage for my employees again.

7/28/2008 3:39:18 PM

This my view to the original question that I asked in this blog. We all know that their are a lot of different factors playing into the the rise in healthcare costs some of which we individualy can have a factor in and those of which some of you have cited ie. immigrants etc that are harder to control.
What I know from working in the preventive healthcare field is this.
Everyone has choices for our personal lifestyles everyday ie. what we eat, whether or not we exercise, amount of sleep, control of stress, spiritual balance, whether we choose medications or natural health products, etc. Everyone can make these changes and have them work if it's important enough. We all have the same amount of hours in a day. Its all priority. Health controls too many other factors in our lives not to make it high on the list.

If Americans were to spend the necessary time educating themselves and thoughfully living a preventive health lifestyle daily together we could save the healthcare system millions of dollars. We would feel better, be more in control of our lives (knowing when it is more essential to go to the doctor and when it's not so essential having the solutions to solve many of our own health problems) and be more productive in everything. I say quit the excuses because it will contribute to the loss of insurance or quality of organized healthcare.

I and my family rarely go the the doctor because we have learned to take care of many more simple health issues which has helped prevent larger potential health issues.

Yes, their are a lot of problems with the system but each of us can have an effect on keeping our costs in check whether we have insurance or not.

Any corporate health programs statistics especially, proves the validity of cost savings, and increased productivity with prevention.

I have a program I live by that I believe works. It's common sense, not a tree huggers life. Eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, greens,little meat, little sugar and white flour, and rarely fast food ( a big health killer).
Exercise 5-6 days a week 20-30 minutes
No work on Sundays. Spiritual, mental health and family day. Regenerates the body and reduces mental and physical stress.
Take vitamins, etc daily. I have learned many natural health supplement and right foods are as powerful as many drugs without the side effects.
I have taught and sold many doctors about these things over the years.
This is what I want to encourage everyone on the blog, to educate themselves about and do for themselves. We have got to be more responsible for knowing what to do and do it. Quit running to the doctor when our bodies have problems so someone else will pay for it and fix the problem ie drugs and surgery etc.
What is your experience and plan with this? I am the drhealth in my family.
Drhealth
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drhealth, are you kidding me? Do you really believe that if a large percentage of Americans got super healthy over the next 12 months that ANYONE'S insurance premiums would decrease? Do you really think that would also lead to more Americans actually having access to affordable health insurance?

Do you think if my company could show Blue Shield that we have a gym in-house, and that everyone uses it, and that everyone here is super healthy, that that would have a positive effect on what Blue Shield charges us for health insurance? Come on.

I rarely go to the doctor either, just like you. I am fairly healthy. But I pay $500 a month for coverage for myself, my wife, and our 1 year old son. I pay that whether we go to the doctors or not. So how does your plan help me and the many others out there like me? Sure, I might save some co-pays, but that is not the unaffordable part of health care. Again, I agree with you that we all need to be responsibly healthy. But I disagree with you if you think that will solve anything about our health care system.

You can eat all the veggies and nuts you want, that doesn't do anything about your access to affordable health insurance. The only thing it might do is decrease your need to go to the doctor, whether you have insurance or not.

Something not mentioned here so far are the exorbitant prices that hospitals charge patients and insurance companies. When my wife had our son we received an itemized bill. She was given 3 Alleve pills per day, for 3 days, total of 9 pills. Their charge for those pills was $11 per pill! That's right, $99 for 9 Aleve pills. You could buy a lifetime supply of the stuff for that much money.

Now I don't know how much money the insurance company actually agreed to pay for those pills, but I bet it wasn't the fair market value of an Aleve pill. The going rate is $10 for 100 pills. So that's about 10 cents per pill. Do you think that's what the insurance company paid the hospital, 90 cents for those 9 pills? Or do you think they agreed to something less than the $11 asking price, but whatever it was, it wasn't 10 cents, we all know that.

This is simply another HUGE part of the problem in this country. The hospitals and doctors overcharge the insurance companies and the insurance companies pay less than what is asked for, but it's still a whole lot more than they should pay. And who pays for that in the end? Patients do. I could eat 10 apples and 14 boxes of raisins today and it wouldn't do a thing to fix this mess.

 

If no one ever had health problems, what would the cost of health insurance be? I'm pretty sure it would be zero. Anyone who says otherwise is probably trying to sell you health insurance. If only ten percent of the population ever had health problems, the cost for insurance would be very low. I don't think this is an outrageous assumption. The price of any insurance (health, auto, whatever) is tied to risk, the risk that someone will make a claim against their policy. If a greater percentage of the population is at risk to experience health problems, regardless of the cause, then insurance premiums are going to be higher. Sure, insurance companies have fixed costs like paperwork, administration, etc. They may even be wasting a good portion of the money they take in on bureaucracy and other inefficiencies, but I have a hard time believing that their premiums aren't tied to risk in some way. If someone has information to the contrary, I'd like to hear it.

I could be wrong about all that, but if I'm not, I don't see how anyone could reasonably argue that if a large percentage of the population was suddenly less at risk for developing health problems, then insurance costs wouldn't go down. This discussion isn't about an insurance company giving an individual or a very small group a break because they've shown they are healthier than the rest of the population. That just isn't how insurance companies operate. However, by being healthier, you are contributing to lower health care costs, even if it is an extremely small contribution. If you disagree, then I certainly hope you don't waste your time voting in national elections, because your vote counts for just about as much. I'm not saying anything about the morality of not taking care of yourself, just that I believe there is a financial consequence for society at large, which I believe is the point of the original blog entry.

 

I am amazed how many people don't understand even the basics of preventive health. I am seventy four years old. I don't have any health coverage (except accident insurance).

I have Never been sick in my life. You know why? Well you guesswed it right. I have followed preventive measure for health all my life.

I don't think there is any need for any health insurance if we follow the simple basics rules of preventive health.

I notice that there are many who have blog entries encouraging us to folloow preventive health. One doctor (Dr Shahid) who is promoting his Six Principles of Health in detail, is excellant. I agree with him whole heartedly. If we follow his six principles of health we will never have to see any health care provider (Physician, dentist, Chiropracter etc) for as long as we live. I would sincerely advice everyone to read his Six principles of health in these blogs.

Stop complaing about health care and third party health insurance programs. It is your health and it is in your hands. Learn the art of preventive health and you will never need any health care or health insurance ever in your life.

Stop funding the greedy health insurance and Phamaceutical companies. They are the menance of our society. Sooner we get rid of them better it is for all of us. It is all in our own hands. Simply follow the preventive health programs. Believe me it is not difficult to follow once you get used to it.

8/6/2008 9:07:09 PM

Sean and johnseville are making more of my point is that we each have a lot more control over how we feel by acting wise about our health and lifestyle. We don't have to be at the mercy of the healthcare system as much especially when it comes to the more catastrophic health problems that are devistating. I definitely believe the healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies take advantage of use all. There are no doubt problems. They have made us too dependent on them and we have bought into it too much. It's called "learned helplessness". Many of us have become lazy about learning and doing for ourselves. Because of that we paying for it with our health and our money. We don't need all of the pharmaceuticals to get the results they say we need. If we all started more of a movement of living preventively where we didn't require these expensive diagnostic tests, pills and procedures and demanded more from our physicans, and dieticians that they get educated better, teaching real basics of health, diet, exercise etc to every patient to help us help ourselves, many costs would have to down. I think thats not realist for now in the system. We need to quit being dependent on doctors to do what we should be doing anyway for ourselves. I just believe we abuse the system and over use it. I can get just as good of results or better with some super foods, nutritional supplement products, etc as many of these drugs doctors prescribe without the side effects. Does anyone agree?
Right now 45 million Americans lack health insurance and it's probably going to grow. Having access to the best insurance doesn't solve their health problems. They are highly at risk. These people need help being taught how to live preventively as well as us. What we each do or don't do for ourselves maybe our only healthcare program because their is no insurance. I suggest some books like Superfoods Rx, and Superfoods Healthstyle, by Dr. Stephen Pratt M.D., best sellers. There are many others on the shelves. What do you think?
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8/14/2008 3:03:15 PM

Their are ways to cut health insurance costs for living healthier for your business. Talk to a myriad of corporate fitness or corporate health companies. You maybe suprised with the statistics they can show. Try googling to find one in your home town. Yes, for those who maybe cynical about eating natural foods as a way to save their health and lessen costs they will save your health, and reduce the insurance nightmare, and the drug dependancy. I know this from personal experience.
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If all the doctors, Hospitals, and healthcare facilities suddenly cut all their fees in half, would that solve the Heathcare Crisis facing our country?

Would all the Chronic Diseases suddenly decrease in occurance.

Would people suddenly look at the label before setting the table?

Would the incidence of people taking a walk after dinner increase?

Laziness and a lack of responsibility for one's health is the current crisis.

9/24/2008 9:24:22 AM

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9/24/2008 9:26:04 AM

Drzwell, thank you for your comment and response. Yes, I believe like you that laziness and lack of respsonsibility is the main point of my bog. Unfortunately I think that physicians, insurance carriers and the healthcare system have fueled the problems of higher costs and lack of responsibity. It's called learned helplessness. They have taught us to be helpless and rely on them for most everything answers. I have learned from this blog that most people lack the knowledge to what is living healthy and have no personal health plan to preventive. Now it is comping back to bite us. Physicians have been too focused on treating the symptoms with drugs and other treatments and tests because of the money involved. They have in essence said do what your doing and if you have health problems we have drugs and treatments that can help. They have not taken responsibility and time to educate patients on healthy diet plans and wellness living,and monitoring lifestyle changes. For the public at large the dietetic society has not been effective at all. Insurance companies and healthplans or those who administer health plans should be willing to require insured people to be educated in prevention lifestyle when they sign up for a plan and teach how the insured can contribute to saving money. The insurance companies, employers should be willing to offer perks, discounts etc who have demonstrated they have taken a prevention class, made health improvements (weight loss,quite smoking drugs, in a weekly fitness plan, or have not used their a significant part of their health plan. Those that choose not to participate in a cost savings plan would be required to pay the higher costs as an abuser of the system. This is what I am talking about when I asked the original question. Everyone in the system shows accountability. Yes, disease rates would go down and yes costs would go down. Its proven and common sense and you don't have to be a physician to figure it out.

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