Health Insurance in the USA

[FeralDog]

Well that would explain a lot - FeralDogRatPig has been listening to Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin. Unless that's a joke. Maybe he's a shill for the far right GOP.

@arkmundi --- you are truly clueless
Can----you-----read ?
Do----you---know---what---news ---satire---is ?

Maybe, you got no real friends. Family won't come around you since you went enviro weird ?
Could be , you done been infected by self righteous eco-greenyisms !

Mister, your getting the stank of a squeaky-preachy gorp eatin' messianic know-it-all.
Ain't there a local street corner socialist hacky sack drum circle yo' can waltz your old hippie ass into ?

 

[marty]

Arguing about politics? Why don't you all chill and join the Marty Party!

Sick Wife
This has been going on for 10 days now. She is sick of being sick. Went to one of those doc in a box places 4 days ago. Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu). Doctor said she was dehydrated. Gave her 1000 mL in IV. Paper says 500 mL. She was having diarrhea and vomiting [green diarrhea]. Today she is just vomiting. She is drinking different types of juice and Gatorade. Vomit is the same color as the juice. Goes down and then up again. Today she ate 2 oranges. The orange vomit in the bucket looked like someone chewed the oranges and spit them out. Food is not being digested. Pharmacist said that there is a Super Bug going around. Got Ondansetron HCl pills to stop the vomiting. Pills are not working.

Laundry and dirty dishes are piling up. Might have to get a second wife to help care for the first one.

Help

Went to wife's primary doctor on Thursday. He told her to get a blood test and a ultra sound in the hospital across the street from his office. That night the wife's primary doctor called me in a panic. He say her potassium level was 2.8 and I should immediately take her to the emergency room. I told him the good news that after he put his magic hand on the wife, she stopped puking and pooping. After dripping who knows how much potassium into her arm for 3 days, today's reading was 4. She was discharged today Saturday.

http://www.medicinenet.com/low_potassium_hypokalemia/article.htm

Normal serum potassium levels range from 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/liter in the blood.

Over the short-term, with self-limited illnesses like gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, the body is able to regulate and restore potassium levels on its own. However, if the hypokalemia is severe, or the losses of potassium are predicted to be ongoing, potassium replacement or supplementation may be required.

Was the 2.8 reading worth panicking over? Less then 3 makes doctors nervous. After puking and pooping for 12 days I imagine the wife was low fuel and running on fumes. Guess it is better to be safe then sorry? Wife was making a weird howling noise. Wonder is that was caused by the low potassium?

Wife is slowly working on the mountain of laundry. I did the dishes. Yes we got BANANAS.

This will be a real test of the new Obama Health Insurance. 2 days in the hospital with a load of tests. What will that cost? Soon the wife and I should have 3 different plastic health insurance cards. Hope I don't wind up with a big bill.

 

[100volts+]

Marty, sorry to hear you live in Buffalo. As if things weren't hard enough for you already.

 

[marty]

Marty, sorry to hear you live in Buffalo. As if things weren't hard enough for you already.

Buffalo is GREAT! Beautiful sunny day today! 6° F. Nothing hard here except my .....

100volts+ What planet are you from? At the top of your computer screen please see [User Control Panel] click on that. See [Profile] tab. [Edit profile]. In the field that says [Location] You can write what ever you like. If you are hiding? Not a problem.

 

[100volts+]

If you are hiding? Not a problem.

Not hiding. Just getting quirky with age. Most of the time I encrypt and tunnel my ip. Right now I'm bouncing off a server in Sweden. One side effect of doing this is the web ads are in the lanuage of the country I'm bouncing off of. That and google always sends me suspicious sign in notices because they don't recognize the ip of my computer.

Example of notice from google when I go to youtube~ Alert icon
Warning: Someone signed in to your account from a different location. Was it you?

 

[marty]

Health insurance got canceled a few months ago. nystateofhealth.ny.gov and independenthealth.com

Why I got no notice? I don't know. Could be there email sender was broke? Got no paper mail either.

Trump is doing way better then I thought he would. I thought he would start killing people like Hitler did. How to quietly kill a bunch of unhealthy people? Cancel their health insurance. Hope I am wrong about this? Think real reason insurance got canceled is they need proof of income every 5 years.

Thankfully me and my wife are in good health. Wife takes a bunch of pills. Paid cash for all of them. Few $100 a month. I can handle that. Need Abilify, Aripiprazole 20MG. Cost of that one is $1600, $1300, or $800 when I ask pharmacist for a discount. Wife got 4 pills left. Mental doctor shop said they would get some samples, and never did. Asking doctors for anything with no health insurance seems about as easy as getting a plumber to come over with no payment.

Anyone got any Abilify, Aripiprazole 20MG? I got cash and paypal. 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, or 30 mg would be fine. Break big ones in half of take more small ones.

Getting 2017 taxes together took awhile. Hired a Craigslist bookkeeper. She said her back hurt after 2 hours and she was so fat that she could not sort receipts. After I paid her she wanted "More money for gas". Should have told her that if ya good at math? More hours = more money. Hired a friend and we got receipts into a spreadsheet in 2 days. Accountant got tax.pdf file finished last week. Uploaded to nystateofhealth.ny.gov Called and they told me that August 16 was my deadline to get the proof of income uploaded and I would need to update application. When hitting next, NYStateofHealth website broke. Fixed it by deleting history and restarting computer.

When I was updating application and hitting the next button. Noticed the word [facebook] in lower left corner of monitor. Wondering if government health insurance people are grabbing Facebook passwords out of my computer? Not much to see on my Facebook page. Hate the way Facebook seems to keep the password in the computer.

NYStateofHealth guy said insurance should fire up again in 7 - 10 days after they review my 51 pages of tax papers.

For future reference if accountant emails password protected PDF file? Remove password with:
https://smallpdf.com/unlock-pdf
Need Document Open Password to remove Permissions Password.

 

[Chalo]

Health insurance got canceled a few months ago. nystateofhealth.ny.gov and independenthealth.com

Mine's still on, but I had to downgrade this year to a plan I can't really afford to use. I think next year, I'll have to drop my coverage entirely due to premiums cost-- but we'll see. It's too bad. I'm one of those folks who's had insurance for all but the first year of ACA, but have taken literally zero benefits during all that time. If people like me are getting priced out, it strongly suggests a death spiral for subsidized health insurance.

 

[dustNbone]

Honestly if I was in your boat and I needed some prescription meds, I'd talk to a Canadian about getting them sent to you. They won't be free but we do have at least some price controls on those things.

Most of our provincial health plans don't cover medications for able bodied working age people, so either we pay out of pocket or have them covered by extended benefits through our employers. But we do usually pay alot less than you guys.

EDIT: Looks like 20mg generic Aripiprazole can be had for under $.50 a pill here.

 

[marty]

Honestly if I was in your boat and I needed some prescription meds, I'd talk to a Canadian about getting them sent to you. They won't be free but we do have at least some price controls on those things.

Most of our provincial health plans don't cover medications for able bodied working age people, so either we pay out of pocket or have them covered by extended benefits through our employers. But we do usually pay alot less than you guys.

EDIT: Looks like 20mg generic Aripiprazole can be had for under $.50 a pill here.

Think you guys/girls are the smartest bunch of bicycle mechanics on all the internet. Fort Erie here we come! 1/2 hour drive from our house,
Shoppers Drug Mart
G, 450 Garrison Rd
Fort Erie, ON L2A 1N2
Canada

Just called. $115.11 for 30 pills
Will ask the doctor to send the prescription over.

And no we no talk about pills with the customs people. We are going for some GOOD Chinese food

 

[dustNbone]

Good move Didn't realize you were driving distance to the border. If you're at all worried about dealing with the customs people I'd just bring an empty pill bottle to put them in with an american pharmacy address on it. Pills match the bottle, bottle matches the person possessing it.

Technically, you are importing a controlled substance.

 

[marty]

Good move Didn't realize you were driving distance to the border. If you're at all worried about dealing with the customs people I'd just bring an empty pill bottle to put them in with an american pharmacy address on it. Pills match the bottle, bottle matches the person possessing it.

Technically, you are importing a controlled substance.

Good idea. Got the empty bottle right here on my desk. Also delete record of calls on the cell phone so no one knows I called the drug store. Heard story's about customs people getting deep into phones.

 

[mark5]

Looks like Aripiprazole 20mg/30 tabs can be gotten for $37-$43 lowest in your city using a GoodRX coupon. Google it if interested.

I've never used goodrx before so no idea whether they're legit.

 

[jimw1960]

I'm one of those folks who's had insurance for all but the first year of ACA, but have taken literally zero benefits during all that time. If people like me are getting priced out, it strongly suggests a death spiral for subsidized health insurance.

Don't you at least get an annual physical exam? They are free under all ACA compliant plans, as is any preventive type care that on the ACA list. No copay whatsoever. If you are over 50 you can even get a colonoscopy for free every 5 years.

 

[jimw1960]

Honestly if I was in your boat and I needed some prescription meds, I'd talk to a Canadian about getting them sent to you. They won't be free but we do have at least some price controls on those things.

There are lots of online pharmacies in Canada that will ship meds to the USA. Do some research first, though, because there can be scammers. I have used a company called PlanetDrugsDirect.com and gotten meds for 1/10th of what it would cost in the USA. $3 a pill for Viagara (sproinggg!!)

 

[Chalo]

I'm one of those folks who's had insurance for all but the first year of ACA, but have taken literally zero benefits during all that time.

Don't you at least get an annual physical exam? They are free under all ACA compliant plans, as is any preventive type care that on the ACA list.

Checkups may be free in terms of copays, but not in hassles. I have no health complaints that a doctor visit could fix. Why would I bother? I have no desire at all to get on some kind of maintenance drug program just so others get paid.

Anyway, the idea of health insurance is that everybody participates so that the people who need it can use it. The system requires some people who don't use it. At least that's supposed to be the idea. As applied today in the USA, I think the point of insurance is to make health care so expensive that folks can't risk going without insurance.

 

[marty]

mark5 / GoodRX coupon worked
Coupon I printed said $42.69 Today price is lower. Go figure?

Paid $43.19

How can a $1300 product be purchased for $43 ?

Thanks for that coupon idea Mark5

$5 deal from https://www.abilify.com/ did not work.

 

[dustNbone]

I read that their annual sales for Abilify (non generic) was something like $7B. I'm sure they've recouped their development costs at this point.

 

[Ohbse]

Paid $43.19

How can a $1300 product be purchased for $43 ?

It cannot. Yet you did... perhaps it's not worth $1300?

I'm glad to hear you found a more affordable alternative Marty, all the best with your wifes medical issues. I really feel for americans. I am not bragging, just want to call out that it's not like that everywhere - you need to demand better as a nation.

I don't think I've ever paid more than $10 to fill a prescription in my life. My doctors visits cost $12, any specialist referrals are free. All surgery/therapy/income lost/transportation expenses incurred as a result of an accident (regardless of fault) are covered by national accident insurance. All preventative, elective surgery, dental, optometrist, nutritionist, sports coaching etc are all covered by private health insurance which costs my employer a grand total of ~$700 USD annually. My total medical expenses for the last 10 years have been ~$35, including a couple of ambulance trips and being hit by cars a couple times.

 

[dustNbone]

I think insane drug prices like that are pretty much exclusively American. I can't see it flying anywhere else. Even our prices here tend to be a bit higher than other countries with socialized medicine because of cross border prescription shopping, plus a little bit of "Hey at least you don't pay as much as they do"

 

[marty]

Insurance is fired up again
Next step is to Pick a Health Plan
For me the choice is easy. Independent Health MMC because that is what we had before and we were happy.
For wife we got a new choice.
Independent Health MMC
or
Independent Health HRP
I ask the girl at nystateofhealth.ny.gov She don't know which one to pick? Call independenthealth.com Girl tell me to ask nystateofhealth.ny.gov tell her I did ask. She transfers me to sales. Sales girl say she don't know if MMC or HRP would be better for my wife? and Ron will call me back.

Three types of plans are available below:

MMC or Medicaid Managed Care Plans, covering a full range of health care services.
HIV Special Needs Plans (SNPs), a type of MMC plan which covers a full range of health services. SNPS offer specialty services for people living with HIV/AIDS and people who are homeless or are transgender, regardless of HIV status. Enrollment may include dependent children.
Health and Recovery Plans (HARPs), a type of MMC plan which covers a full range of health services for adults aged 21 and over determined eligible by New York State. HARPs offer specialty services important to people living with mental health or substance use disorders.

Me thinking that HARP or HRP seems like a special insurance for my wife who is the most wonderful wife on planet earth.

For now I will hit the X and close the browser.

 

[marty]

Done - Ron called said the word "training" for my wife. Yea training to get a job. HRP for wife.

Plan Selection Dashboard
For me:
New Plan Name: Independent Health Association, Inc.
Start Coverage: 10/01/2018 End Coverage: 08/31/2019

For wife:
New Plan Name: Independent Health's MediSource Connect
Start Coverage: 10/01/2018 End Coverage: 08/31/2019

Thanks for the insurance Obama!

 

[marty]

I'm one of those folks who's had insurance for all but the first year of ACA, but have taken literally zero benefits during all that time.

Don't you at least get an annual physical exam? They are free under all ACA compliant plans, as is any preventive type care that on the ACA list.

Checkups may be free in terms of copays, but not in hassles. I have no health complaints that a doctor visit could fix. Why would I bother? I have no desire at all to get on some kind of maintenance drug program just so others get paid.

Anyway, the idea of health insurance is that everybody participates so that the people who need it can use it. The system requires some people who don't use it. At least that's supposed to be the idea. As applied today in the USA, I think the point of insurance is to make health care so expensive that folks can't risk going without insurance.

If you are not a nut case like me who is afraid to get a blood test. GO TO THE DOCTOR! You don't have to take any medicine that you don't want to. Just talked to a guy who is about the same age as me. He is 56. Said he just got a pacemaker.

Medical stuff today is not the same as it was. Today doctors try to fix stuff BEFORE it breaks. Sucks when the water pump in your car stops pumping. Also sucks when them hearts stop pumping blood.

 

[dustNbone]

Correct. A huge part of the reason the US spends more on healthcare and gets less favorable health outcomes than other countries is the lack of preventative maintenance.

 

[markz]

I just watched a Netflix show on this.
How a company called Valeant was buying up drug companies and jacking up prices, sometimes by as much as 2000% and the kicker ---> All Pefectly Legal.


I heard New Zealand's government buys very large quantities of select drugs for their health care system, making deals with drug makers to do so. NZ population is only 4.8M (2018) so not like Canada's 35M which is about equal to California's population 38M.

Preventative healthcare includes people eating healthy by not going to McDonalds or drinking pop. Laziness in a way, cultural for sure.

 

[Chalo]

A huge part of the reason the US spends more on healthcare and gets less favorable health outcomes than other countries is the lack of preventative maintenance.

But-- you don't need doctor visits to do preventive maintenance. Don't drive a car, and don't go out to eat, and actually cook actual food for yourself, are a very good start. That's my life. Hot conditions for most of the year and non climate controlled conditions at work also help, I think.

I don't need to waste my whole day and hundreds/thousands of dollars of billable "services" just to get prescriptions for cholesterol pills, blood pressure pills, boner pills, prostate pills, ADHD pills, diet pills, and/or antidepressant pills that I don't want and don't need, which would negatively affect my health if I took them, from a business that doesn't care a molecule about my health one way or the other. Dispensing these drugs is incentivized in our system, but real health care isn't.

Until we take the profit motive out of "health care", all the fortune we pay for it won't buy either one.