Are you really covered? 4 in 10 Americans can't depend on "health insurance"

[ProudDad]

Are you really covered?
Why 4 in 10 Americans can't depend on their health insurance

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/health-care/health-insurance-9-07/overview/0709_health_ov.htm


You might think you don't have to worry about paying for medical care if you have health insurance. But you would be wrong.

From escalating medical debt to postponed retirement, our exclusive national survey of working-age adults shows the depth of jitters even for those lucky enough to have insurance through their jobs or families:

* 29 percent of people who had health insurance were "underinsured," with coverage so meager they often postponed medical care because of costs.

* 49 percent overall, and 43 percent of people with insurance, said they were "somewhat" to "completely" unprepared to cope with a costly medical emergency over the coming year.

* 20 percent of people in our separate subscriber survey said they were so disappointed with their HMO or PPO that they wanted to switch plans (see "Rating the Health Plans").

* 16 percent had no health plan at all, including many working respondents whose jobs didn't offer insurance, or who couldn't afford the premiums or deductibles of the available plan.

[aquart]

1. Nixon's legacy.

Can we please make sure his name is attached to this policy of misery?

[killbotfactory]

2. Best healthcare system money can buy (n/t)

[uppityperson]

3. If "health insurance" should include hearing aids, glasses, dental health, then no.

I'm not covered. If our insurance payments = our mortgage payments, there is a problem.

[China_cat]

4. Last line of fine print on most health insurance

"Valid only until needed".

[ProudDad]

5. Right below

"Policy will be canceled upon attempted use."

That's what happened to me with 2 auto policies and a home-owners' policy...