Another dreaded letter from American Airlines.

[trof]

I NEVER get good news from American.

I'm a TWA retiree. American took over TWA after the final bankruptcy, and TWA's obligations to their retirees (thanks in part to Sen. McCain's shaming them into it and making it a prerequisite to the deal).
TWA's pension obligations got shipped off to the gummint's PBGC (Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation). I pray daily that this now insolvent government and even more insolvent PBGC will not renege on their obligations.

My retirement package included FREE medical and dental insurance until I qualify for Medicare (3 more years).

First notice from American told me that dental insurance would now cost $80/mo. Marvelous.
I was late with ONE payment and they couldn't wait to drop me like a hot rock.

Next notice from American was that my health insurance would now cost $80/mo. Great.

Next notice told me that my prescription drug co-pay would go from $30 to $50. Super.

Yesterday I got another letter from American. I didn't want to open it. I wish I hadn't.
My $80/mo. for health coverage goes to $175/mo. in January. Swell.

Hey, AMERICAN! Don't send me any more letters.

Thanks for the vent-space.
:-(

[joeybee12]

1. American sucks!!!!!!!!!

Hell, all the airlines do these days.

Sorry to hear your bad news.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Sounds about right on the healthcare front.

State of TX fiscal year run Sept. 1 - Aug. 31.

In May of '03 (when we finally realized that, ooops, we don't have the money we thought), our brilliant legislature (the dopes that thought redistricting was the most important thing on the planet) decided that us employees cost too damned much money. So, those of us on the HMO run by Blue Cross/Blue Shield got dumped on the BC/BS PPO plan. No opportunity to join another HMO for the rest of the plan year, just here's your PPO - live with it.

OK, says I, I can live until Sept. 1 with the PPO. I can join an HMO during open season. So, I start looking in August, and find that there is ONE, count 'em, ONE HMO serving my county. Now, I don't live in the sticks. I LIVE IN THE FREAKING CAPITAL OF THE DAMNED STATE. This HMO has exactly ZERO, that's right ZERO, doctors in the city of Austin. The closest doctors are right across the county line to the north. Not too terrible for a north Austinite like me, but what about the south Austin folks? So, I stuck with the PPO, so I could keep my doctor, but co-pays went up, level of coverage went down.

We've got to get this health care thing under control. I'm sick of having no choices, and paying more for the crappy "service" I get.

Thanks for letting me co-opt your rant with my own.

[Beaker]

5. I PREFER a PPO to an HMO.

I've been in both, and the PPO system has always been better by a longshot.
I'm just curious, why do you prefer an HMO to a PPO?

[GOPisEvil]

7. Less out of pocket costs.

The PPO has 20% co-pays which the HMO does not have.

[commander bunnypants]

3. Damn, I am sorry

That is American Health Care for you. Keep us updated and good Karma for you my friend

DDQM

[recidivist]

4. Another reason to get rid of the third party payment system.

Yes, we should universal health insurance coverage, but people should own their own policies and have the ability to shop around. So many of the problems we encounter, including yours, are the result of expecting someone else to pay the bills. Ultimately, he who pays the piper calls the tune.

FWIW, a one payer system doesn't solve that problem; on the contrary, it exacerbates it.

[jburton]

6. And don't forget

AA, along with most other airlines, gets bazillion$ of corporate welfare from the government. So you get screwed twice!

[cmd]

8. Just like the fire and teacher's pension plans

Mr. cmd went from 10 to 265 a month with much less coverage.
Mine went from 20 to 120 with even worse coverage. I did get some good (????????) news. My health coverage will go from 99 to 40 next year. However, I will get more cuts along with it.

[trof]

9. Had second thoughts after posting.

Thanks for the commiseration, but I know there are a lot of us right here at DU with NO job, NO health insurance, and NO hope of either. At least not until we have a regime change.

But one more kvetch:
The same mail that brought the news of the 110% INCREASE in my health insurance costs, also brought the welcome news that I'm getting a COLA raise in my S/S payments next year. I just started collecting in October.
Hold on to you hats. I'm getting a $23/mo. RAISE! I guess we already know where that's going.

Gee, with my new found wealth, now I don't know whether to get the Porsche or the Hummer.
Whaddahya think?
;-)

[Karenina]

10. Hey Trof!

I can tell you where the money is being siphoned off! I get these INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE solicitations from AA. We're talking cut-out boxes with perfumed towels I'm supposed to drop into hot water... blow up globes and 8 page 4-color bullshit ads. :puke: