Has anyone proposed single payer WITH suplemental options?

[napi21]

I'm talking about expanding medicare to everyone which would provide basic HC to every American and would include co-pays the same as medicare does now, but the private ins. cos. could offer suplemental coverage that would cover most co-pays and other things that the basic coverage does no cover.

We subscribed to Medicare last Sept. and also subscribed to suplemental coverage which includes drug coverage. For medicare eligible folks, there are hundreds if not thousands of diff. suplementals available, depending on how much you want to pay and how much risk you're willing to take.

This sounds to me like it could please everyone, & keep the ins. cos. in business.

[abluelady]

1. I Was Under the Impression

that the supplemental insurances only added to what Medicare already covered. Is that not correct? (I can't wait to be eligible for Medicare!)

[shraby]

2. It covers the 20% that Medicare part B doesn't cover

plus I think there is a deductible on part A that can be covered with supplemental. Only problem is the premiums tend to rise every year if one isn't careful. Then if you had something long term go wrong and your rates are raised again, trying to move to another company with a pre-existing condition is not easy to do..if not impossible.
Not really a good idea.

[napi21]

6. Yes you're right. The supplemental pays most of the Medicare

co-pays & there are quite a few things Medicare does not cover. ie: Under Medicare there is a daily co-pay if your are hospitalized. You can even get supplementals that wil cover the cost of your drugs while you're in the "donut hole" if you're willing to pay the price, but they are pretty pricy.

[TwilightZone]

3. For those who want the insurance companies dismantled...

this, of course, wouldn't satisfy their needs.

There was a thread a few days ago about France. Something like 90% of residents buy supplemental health care, so a national health care/supplemental health care system is probably workable, not to mention more likely to meet approval of the various parties involved.

[shraby]

5. The supplemental policies need more regulation

though so the cost of the policies don't keep going up and up. Some of them want to have a deductible and also have you pay 20% of the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover.

[TwilightZone]

7. Agreed.

Coverage standards and regulations should be part of any revamping of the health care system. Otherwise, just as you noted, the primary goal of reducing costs isn't going to be met.

[napi21]

11. I think they already are under strong revue. Remember Obama

stating he was going to save big bucks by changing the way Medicare Advantage plans are3 reembursed?

Assuming there ARE regulations placed on the supplementals, adopting a SP system would HAVE TO reduce costs by a lot because millions+ of unnecessary costs are incurred because uninsured people go to the ER (the most expensive care there is!) for ordinary problems like ear aches, the flu, high blood pressure, etc. instead of going to the local clinic or GP because they can't afford the local care.

Almost 10 years ago, I traveling on business to Pgh. Pa. (from Tx.) when I contracted a bladder infection. I knew what it was because I had had one a number of years earlier, but no doc. will prescribe any meds without seeing you. I went to the local Doc, got the exam and the script, and handed them my ins. card as I was checking out. I was told they couldn't accept that ins. I would have to pay the bill myself and contact my ins. co. for reimbursement when I returned home. The bill waS $168.00!!!!!! That was in 1999. I have NO IDEA what it is today!

[TwilightZone]

13. Getting rid of fraud would also make a huge difference.

The amount of fraud in the Medicare system (and by those gaming the system) is astonishing.

You're definitely right. A system with standard practices would make a huge difference, especially combined with patient education. Dealing with similar situations in the same fashion (instead of in hundreds of different ways, as the case is now) couldn't help but lower costs.

[newinnm]

12. IMHO

We need to take the profit motive out of our health care period. We should have comprehensive coverage that covers from cradle to grave for any treatment that you physician deems needed. Ban malpractice insurance and put the doctors, hospitals and other providers under a government administered plan that determines appropriate remedies when patients are harmed.


nnnm

[RaleighNCDUer]

15. I don't necessarily want them dismantled -

I just want them to not be making decisions that should be made by me and my doctor.

If they want to sell supplemental insurance, more power to em. Healthcare is a right - private rooms in the hospital are not.

[phantom power]

4. I don't think anybody really has to "propose" that...

Under single-payer, there will be some set of things covered. Private insurance companies will, by market logic, move in to cover the remainder.

[napi21]

8. BUTTTT....you're assuming there are a lot of logical thinkers in the US!

IMO, there are NOT! In fact most people don''t think at all, they just parrot what BS they hear on TV or the radio!

I'd bet if you asked 25 people, randomly chosen, what IS Single Payer HC, 1 or 2 MIGHT know the answer.

[Cleita]

9. How can anyone propose a compromise plan if they aren't allowed to

be part of the study that is supposed to bring us a health care plan?

Frankly, I'd gladly pay the $250 a month I have to pay for a supplemental plan with an insurance company to Medicare for full coverage. I know it would be more economically administered because 30% wouldn't be skimmed off the top for profits to begin with. Maybe dental and vision could then be part of the plan.

Insurance can be included for services not included in the basic public plan, like concierge health care, luxury hospital accommodations, home doctors visits for those who don't want to share a waiting room with the rest of us, etc.. Actually, it would be more profitable for the insurers because only the well off would be able to afford such insurance and such a demography is healthier.

[shraby]

10. The dental and vision you mention should include

hearing..those hearing aids are expensive as all get out..enough that many cannot afford them. Mine cost over $2,000 apiece.

[subterranean]

14. I think all countries with single payer have private supplemental insurance.

I'm sure that supplemental coverage would be available if we had single payer here too. But you're right, I haven't seen it mentioned much in the discussions about single payer. I don't think it matters, though, since talk of single payer is forbidden in the Senate, and they want to have a bill ready this summer.