Forcing health insurance companies to do the right thing for patients and their doctors takes time, often many years, whether through changes in public policy, the marketplace, or litigation.
Still remember 2002 North Carolina when Blue Cross was advertising that switching from non-profit to for-profit was in the best interests of patients. 🧐 And people voted to make that change.
I wish I could think of this as a win, however with the lack of accountability accepted, then this is just a payoff for deeds done. No real win here. This country is in a state of failure and the legal maneuvering that continues to take place - all to save face? Only winners here were the legal team that is set to make money no matter what.
Trying to find a bright spot in this. May have found one. During the intervening time of this case physicians have put in place measures to reduce the 1.3 billion a year in losses due to no-shows for appointments. That's all I've got. Not a very bright spot in the nightmare of insurance company bad acting, but it's something, although not directly related.
This isn’t surprising: the incentives are all wrong. When a company stands to profit from making access to healthcare more expensive rather than incentivizing savings and efficiency, it will become a big, bloated, monopolistic, bureaucratic behemoth like BCBS has become. The incentive structure MUST change to reduce fees, reduce illness, and reward wellness.
Here’s proof of how insane this is: when I go to the doctor, I always ask them: “How much would this visit cost if I DIDN’T have health insurance?” Often, the answer is something outrageous like: “Your visit today will be $150 because you have insurance. But if you didn’t have insurance, our cash price would be $84.”
A system that requires you to pay monthly premiums only to be charged more than if you had paid cash is about the biggest scam I can possibly imagine.
It’s about damn time. The insurance industry has turned into one big grift.
This is what is needed at last in the Ecuador oil contamination victory of Stephen Donzinger but stymied in court.
Still remember 2002 North Carolina when Blue Cross was advertising that switching from non-profit to for-profit was in the best interests of patients. 🧐 And people voted to make that change.
Yay for “we the people”! May this be one of many successful suits to break the INSCOs hold on American health care!
I wish I could think of this as a win, however with the lack of accountability accepted, then this is just a payoff for deeds done. No real win here. This country is in a state of failure and the legal maneuvering that continues to take place - all to save face? Only winners here were the legal team that is set to make money no matter what.
won't they just raise rates to pay for this?
As you well know, this is built into the cost of doing business. Total slap on the wrist that they will figure out how to pass on to customers.
Grifters all the way!
Trying to find a bright spot in this. May have found one. During the intervening time of this case physicians have put in place measures to reduce the 1.3 billion a year in losses due to no-shows for appointments. That's all I've got. Not a very bright spot in the nightmare of insurance company bad acting, but it's something, although not directly related.
wow. this kind of accountability is so important. thanks for covering this!
This isn’t surprising: the incentives are all wrong. When a company stands to profit from making access to healthcare more expensive rather than incentivizing savings and efficiency, it will become a big, bloated, monopolistic, bureaucratic behemoth like BCBS has become. The incentive structure MUST change to reduce fees, reduce illness, and reward wellness.
Here’s proof of how insane this is: when I go to the doctor, I always ask them: “How much would this visit cost if I DIDN’T have health insurance?” Often, the answer is something outrageous like: “Your visit today will be $150 because you have insurance. But if you didn’t have insurance, our cash price would be $84.”
A system that requires you to pay monthly premiums only to be charged more than if you had paid cash is about the biggest scam I can possibly imagine.
Shouldn't they repay patients too if their actions increased "the overall cost of health care.