Lost In The Numbers - Health Insurance Rescission and Pre-existing Conditions

[TomCADem]

Even now, it is not tough to get insurance if you are young and healthy. However, the folks who really need it are often at severe risk. Pre-existing conditions may make health coverage too expensive, and insurers may revoke policies in the event of a claim.

I know a lot of people are focused on an abstract insured versus un-insured number, but I think this understates the scope of the problem. The uncertainty that many Americans face is the notion that they cannot trust the insurance they do have, and that insurance depends on their job. What does the proposed healthcare bills propose to do about improving the quality of coverage.

You can have the greatest coverage in the world on paper, but if your insurer dumps the moment you make a claim, then it is not worth spit.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105680875

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According to a new report by congressional investigators, an insurance company practice of retroactively canceling health insurance is fairly common, and it saves insurers a lot of money.

A subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee recently held a hearing about the report's findings in an effort to bring a halt to this practice. But at the hearing, insurance executives told lawmakers they have no plans to stop rescinding policies.

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[snappyturtle]

1. Death to the insurance companies! They've brought it on themselves. nt

[INdemo]

2. We need to be prepared to spend billions to accomplish real health care

reform,because health insurance companies are prepared to spend billions to stop it..And a couple billion dollars will buy an awful lot of allies to fight against it..

[nightrain]

3. Oh... but folks believe we can "regulate" these mahvelous corporations....

[MisterP]

13. no regulation! just an enfeebled state competitor to level the all-important market! n/t

[annabanana]

4. MORE people need to know about this abominable practice!

kick kick kick

[TomCADem]

6. I Wish There Was More Attention On This Subject Then Abstract Uninsured Numbers

Many people do have insurance. Its just that they pay too much for it, and you do not know whether you can rely on it. THAT is the issue that most people are affected by. Most people are not uninsured. Rather, most people are fearful of losing their coverage due to losing their job or having their coverage revoked.

That is what I am worried about. I have health insurance that looks good...on paper. However, what if I lose my job or if I actually get sick. Will it be there for me? That is what I worry about.

[slipslidingaway]

5. knr nt

[annabanana]

7. kickers. . n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. !!!

:kick:

[annabanana]

12. Kicking for visibility... You insurance company will KILL you!. . n/t

[Horse with no Name]

9. What I am noticing in my industry (nursing)

Hospitals are attempting to seduce younger and more inexperienced nurses because younger people are traditionally healthier.
As the nursing workforce gets older, the more you see them being run out of their jobs.
Many facilities utilize consultant groups that push for this. One place I worked targeted employees on FMLA.
They weed out the sicker and older employees to reduce the cost of their healthcare policies.
It is totally disgusting.

[TomCADem]

10. "Hospitals are attempting to seduce younger and more inexperienced nurses "

I agree that sounds absolutely inappropriate. Hospitals sound more threatening than Mark Sanford on viagra.

Sorry, I could not resist. ;)

[Horse with no Name]

11. Alright Uncle Perv

:D

[PA Democrat]

14. I got hit with the"preexisting condition" scam, for something that was absolutely NOT preexisting.

I complained to the state's insurance department, threatened to sue the insurer, and they finally paid my claim. The company has a history of falsely denying claims and continue to do so because they rarely get hit with anything more than a slap on the wrist.

http://www.ct.gov/cid/cwp/view.asp?a=1269&q=335734

http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=2341&Q=333840