There are very few times in a health insurance agents life when someone says thank you.....today was one of those days.
Here is the story.
A few weeks ago I got a call from one of my clients named Kenny W. Kenny W. let me know that he had just gotten out of the hospital and he wanted to thank me for selling him the insurance plan I did (a few years earlier). He said that it "worked like a charm" and that he was feeling much better. I was flattered he called me and tucked away this little morsel of good cheer for a rainy day.
Well, today it was rainy (literally) and Kenny W. called again. We discussed a few concerns that he had about some bills that he had received and I asked him that if he didn't mind sharing to bring all of his bills down to my office so I could review them. Well, Kenny W. not only brought me all of his hospital bills but also a dozen yellow roses! I couldn't believe my eyes. I was almost speechless.
So, thank YOU Kenny W for trusting me with your insurance needs and your claims today. You are one of the reasons I work so hard in the insurance industry. You are an extremely kind human being-thank you for taking the time to show another human that you appreciate hard work.
I hope you all spread a little good will towards man in the next few days,
Misty B.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Is the future of health care in trouble? You tell me.
When a client, or potential client, asks me- What is the future of health care in the United States? I usually make some smart remark..."depends on who you elect?" or "depends on how big of check you are willing to write". But the truth is, is that I just don't know.
I wish (start the kumbaya music in the background) that we could find a solution that covered any American that wanted to be covered (there are people out there that don't want health insurance, just like they don't want a nose ring). And more importantly, I wish that we could affordably provide the most innovative, quality and open market medicine available. But how do two such different items like: coverage for all and affordability happen in the real world without creating a market that is riddled without waiting lists, higher taxes and quality going down....and wouldn't we still have the rich going to boutique doctors to get their care faster the the average Joe?
I think I have the answer....that was a joke. If I had the answer to solving the crisis in the US, I would be shouting it from the mountain tops. But-YOU might have the answer.
Have you ever thought about the health insurance system in the US? I mean for more than the 5 minutes it takes you to fill out your enrollment form? Why don't you take anytime out of your life to think about the solution....instead of complaining when you pay a $20 copay?
I'd love to have your feedback. Is health care a right? Is it only for the rich? Should it be tied to the employer system? What would it look like if it wasn't tied to the system? What role, if any do you think brokers play in the future of health insurance? Do you think the government can do a better job than the private market when it comes to providing your insurance? (Really think about this one, kids.....think quality, waste, red tape).
Maybe if we worked together.....put smart consumers of health care into a room instead of politicians, we would come up with an awesome plan.
I expect your 1000 word essay on my desk in the morning,
Misty B.
I wish (start the kumbaya music in the background) that we could find a solution that covered any American that wanted to be covered (there are people out there that don't want health insurance, just like they don't want a nose ring). And more importantly, I wish that we could affordably provide the most innovative, quality and open market medicine available. But how do two such different items like: coverage for all and affordability happen in the real world without creating a market that is riddled without waiting lists, higher taxes and quality going down....and wouldn't we still have the rich going to boutique doctors to get their care faster the the average Joe?
I think I have the answer....that was a joke. If I had the answer to solving the crisis in the US, I would be shouting it from the mountain tops. But-YOU might have the answer.
Have you ever thought about the health insurance system in the US? I mean for more than the 5 minutes it takes you to fill out your enrollment form? Why don't you take anytime out of your life to think about the solution....instead of complaining when you pay a $20 copay?
I'd love to have your feedback. Is health care a right? Is it only for the rich? Should it be tied to the employer system? What would it look like if it wasn't tied to the system? What role, if any do you think brokers play in the future of health insurance? Do you think the government can do a better job than the private market when it comes to providing your insurance? (Really think about this one, kids.....think quality, waste, red tape).
Maybe if we worked together.....put smart consumers of health care into a room instead of politicians, we would come up with an awesome plan.
I expect your 1000 word essay on my desk in the morning,
Misty B.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
What is the true cost?
One of the most interesting thing about the fight/discussion on the health care system is the sound bite tactics that the media take on the issue. Not only do we get bombarded with every sob story in the book, insurance companies are painted out to be these money hungry entities out to steal our hard earned money.
I want to point out just a few of my biggest complaints about this "picture" we are spoon fed.
First off, look at the snippet from the article below. (highlighted for your reading pleasure) This family pays $290 per QUARTER for dialysis for their son.....that comes out to $96.66 per month. ( if you get a grande soy chai at Starbucks at $4.50 a pop that adds up to $135.00 per month...just to put it in perspective). BUT, how much does the GOVERNMENT pay for the dialysis that this sick child receives?
Politics, poverty, immigration entangle Texas health careTexas' health care entangled in politics, poverty, immigration 09:31 AM CST on Tuesday, December 4, 2007By JASON ROBERSON / The Dallas Morning News jroberson@dallasnews.com
Miles Brooks was born in 2002 with end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure, and immediately placed on dialysis. Every night, the DeSoto boy gets hooked up for 10 hours to a machine in his bedroom – his mom, Chinea, connecting the tubes to a catheter in his tummy. Also Online As a child with chronic kidney disease, Miles qualifies for Medicare, but there is still a premium charge for his medical insurance through the federal program. So, on top of what dad Michael Brooks pays at work for the family's health policy, the couple must also come up with $290 every three months for Medicare. They've borrowed from relatives and been late on their mortgage in order to send a check to the government program. The Brooks family, like a lot of others dealing with a chronic or pre-existing condition, and those without employer-provided coverage, hope the government will step in with a plan to provide universal health coverage or make insurance simpler and cheaper. But in Texas, the state with the largest percentage of uninsured residents in the nation, such sweeping change isn't likely to come soon, unless it arrives from Washington.
***note to the reader, THIS is the missing link to the WHOLE story, so pay attention***
From: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_dialysis.html
How much does dialysis cost?
In preparation for this article we contacted the San Diego dialysis center listed below. We were told that the initial set up with the catheter, first week of treatments, feeding tube placement etc. typically runs $2500-$3000. After this, each treatment costs $500 (the average patient requires 3 treatments per week).
PS.....this is the cost for our PETS to have dialysis....
From: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/sooph-2006.htm~sooph-2006-www.htm~sooph-2006-www-howmuch.htm
The state of our public hospitals, June 2006 report
How much does your treatment cost?
The average cost for treating conditions depends on the complexity of treatment, the anaesthetics and drugs used, the level of care and time in hospital required and the surgical facilities needed.Caring for patients with severe burns is the most expensive at about $125,000 for each patient.Renal dialysis, provided to patients with temporary or permanent kidney failure, is at the lower end of the cost scale at $484 per treatment. Renal dialysis replaces the function of the kidneys to remove waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, while maintaining the proper chemical balance of the blood. However, because each renal dialysis patient needs a number of services each week, the amount spent on the more than 660,000 public hospital dialysis admissions in 2004–05 was more than $321 million, the highest total cost for the procedures considered in this report. This does not include dialysis services provided to non-admitted patients in outpatient facilities. In contrast, the total cost of caring for patients with severe burns in 2004–05 (126 admissions) was less than $16 million.
So, when the family pays $96.66 per month for coverage, shouldn't they be thankful that they don't have to pay: $484 per treatment x 30 days per month = $14,520 per month? I think they should send me a thank you letter...really all of us thank you letters because ALL of our hard earned tax dollars pay for his much needed treatment. I am happy to help families in need, I just wish the media would pick up on the whole story...and that story includes the true cost of care.
I hope and pray only the best for Miles Brooks and his family,
Misty B.
PS. It costs more to put our dog on dialysis than it does your kid? And no, I still don't have a dog but my 7 year old did ask for one for Christmas....thank God Santa isn't real.
I want to point out just a few of my biggest complaints about this "picture" we are spoon fed.
First off, look at the snippet from the article below. (highlighted for your reading pleasure) This family pays $290 per QUARTER for dialysis for their son.....that comes out to $96.66 per month. ( if you get a grande soy chai at Starbucks at $4.50 a pop that adds up to $135.00 per month...just to put it in perspective). BUT, how much does the GOVERNMENT pay for the dialysis that this sick child receives?
Politics, poverty, immigration entangle Texas health careTexas' health care entangled in politics, poverty, immigration 09:31 AM CST on Tuesday, December 4, 2007By JASON ROBERSON / The Dallas Morning News jroberson@dallasnews.com
Miles Brooks was born in 2002 with end-stage renal disease, or kidney failure, and immediately placed on dialysis. Every night, the DeSoto boy gets hooked up for 10 hours to a machine in his bedroom – his mom, Chinea, connecting the tubes to a catheter in his tummy. Also Online As a child with chronic kidney disease, Miles qualifies for Medicare, but there is still a premium charge for his medical insurance through the federal program. So, on top of what dad Michael Brooks pays at work for the family's health policy, the couple must also come up with $290 every three months for Medicare. They've borrowed from relatives and been late on their mortgage in order to send a check to the government program. The Brooks family, like a lot of others dealing with a chronic or pre-existing condition, and those without employer-provided coverage, hope the government will step in with a plan to provide universal health coverage or make insurance simpler and cheaper. But in Texas, the state with the largest percentage of uninsured residents in the nation, such sweeping change isn't likely to come soon, unless it arrives from Washington.
***note to the reader, THIS is the missing link to the WHOLE story, so pay attention***
From: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_dialysis.html
How much does dialysis cost?
In preparation for this article we contacted the San Diego dialysis center listed below. We were told that the initial set up with the catheter, first week of treatments, feeding tube placement etc. typically runs $2500-$3000. After this, each treatment costs $500 (the average patient requires 3 treatments per week).
PS.....this is the cost for our PETS to have dialysis....
From: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/sooph-2006.htm~sooph-2006-www.htm~sooph-2006-www-howmuch.htm
The state of our public hospitals, June 2006 report
How much does your treatment cost?
The average cost for treating conditions depends on the complexity of treatment, the anaesthetics and drugs used, the level of care and time in hospital required and the surgical facilities needed.Caring for patients with severe burns is the most expensive at about $125,000 for each patient.Renal dialysis, provided to patients with temporary or permanent kidney failure, is at the lower end of the cost scale at $484 per treatment. Renal dialysis replaces the function of the kidneys to remove waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, while maintaining the proper chemical balance of the blood. However, because each renal dialysis patient needs a number of services each week, the amount spent on the more than 660,000 public hospital dialysis admissions in 2004–05 was more than $321 million, the highest total cost for the procedures considered in this report. This does not include dialysis services provided to non-admitted patients in outpatient facilities. In contrast, the total cost of caring for patients with severe burns in 2004–05 (126 admissions) was less than $16 million.
So, when the family pays $96.66 per month for coverage, shouldn't they be thankful that they don't have to pay: $484 per treatment x 30 days per month = $14,520 per month? I think they should send me a thank you letter...really all of us thank you letters because ALL of our hard earned tax dollars pay for his much needed treatment. I am happy to help families in need, I just wish the media would pick up on the whole story...and that story includes the true cost of care.
I hope and pray only the best for Miles Brooks and his family,
Misty B.
PS. It costs more to put our dog on dialysis than it does your kid? And no, I still don't have a dog but my 7 year old did ask for one for Christmas....thank God Santa isn't real.
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