Election 2010: Teabaggin' the Ds & Rs

[Replaced_Texan]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

2003. I'm betting the difference has declined substantially.

Charlie Baker's tenure at Harvard Pilgrim being Exhibit A.

There's one from 2000ish that's quite devastating for for-profit. The Blues down here aren't too terrible, but they vary so widely from region to region it's hard to make a categorical comment about them.

I think, though, that Kaiser is the gold standard when it comes to quality and cost. If they can get their customer service act together, they'd be pretty much the model for anywhere.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan

There's one from 2000ish that's quite devastating for for-profit. The Blues down here aren't too terrible, but they vary so widely from region to region it's hard to make a categorical comment about them.

I think, though, that Kaiser is the gold standard when it comes to quality and cost. If they can get their customer service act together, they'd be pretty much the model for anywhere.

Kaiser doesn't have much market share here, but we're almost entirely charitable: BCBS, Tufts, and Harvard Pilgrim are the big three. They are all good carriers, but their days of innovation and out-of-the-box thinking are behind them.

I expect there is still some difference in overall quality, but I don't think they're going to offer new or unusual products targetted toward the underinsured or difficult to insure. One of them just dropped their Med-X plan.

[sgtclub]

Originally Posted by Cletus Miller

If that were true, the insurers would already offer the option. They do not, as far as I know, without pre-existing exclusions and waiting periods for any substantial expenses related to possibly pre-existing conditions--e.g., pregancy, diabetes, etc.

I didn't mean in that way. What I meant was that people would accept paying for this if mandated. It's something they can understand and know it might happen to them.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Cletus Miller

But mandated participation and some level of subsidy for poor/seniors/etc., no? To avoid the pre-existing condition problem, if nothing else.

No. Pure insurance. That sounds like a tough line to draw, but service costs would drop enough to make insurance costly but affordable for people with pre-existing conditions.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

No. Pure insurance. That sounds like a tough line to draw, but service costs would drop enough to make insurance costly but affordable for people with pre-existing conditions.

Are abandoning Medicare then too?

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Adder

Are abandoning Medicare then too?

This is all perfect world hypothetical stuff. Yes, I'd like to get rid of that, and SS. I wish people would take care of themselves and everything was direct contracting for services. Will any of this happen, ever? Of course not.

[Penske 2.0]

Originally Posted by Adder

Are abandoning Medicare then too?

I hope not. I like Medicare.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Penske 2.0

I hope not. I like Medicare.

Congratulations, you agree with 99% of old people!

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

This is all perfect world hypothetical stuff. Yes, I'd like to get rid of that, and SS. I wish people would take care of themselves and everything was direct contracting for services. Will any of this happen, ever? Of course not.

I know people who actually understand the issues talking here is somehow improper, but both rt and adder mentioned insurance not paying for stuff that does not make sense. you know what doesn't make sense right? elaborate care for people over 70s.

can you say eath-day anels-pay?

RT could be Palin's running mate in 2012. if they dress in low cut stuff I'd vote for that ticket.

[Replaced_Texan]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

I know people who actually understand the issues talking here is somehow improper, but both rt and adder mentioned insurance not paying for stuff that does not make sense. you know what doesn't make sense right? elaborate care for people over 70s.

can you say eath-day anels-pay?

RT could be Palin's running mate in 2012. if they dress in low cut stuff I'd vote for that ticket.

Check out the latest issue of Health Affairs. I think that this article is quite interesting. My employer is experimenting with this sort of thing with regard to bariatric surgery (copay $5000). I imagine that we'll see a lot more of it in the future.

[Penske 2.0]

Originally Posted by Adder

Congratulations, you agree with 99% of old people!

Yes, I am a person who cares. for olde people.

[Gattigap]

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan

I think, though, that Kaiser is the gold standard when it comes to quality and cost. If they can get their customer service act together, they'd be pretty much the model for anywhere.

FWIW, Kaiser down in Southern California is excellent, including for customer service.

[LessinSF]

Quantitative Easing Explained.

"'The printing money' is the last refuge of failed economic empires and banana republics, and the Fed doesn't want to admit this is their only idea."

[sgtclub]

Originally Posted by Gattigap

FWIW, Kaiser down in Southern California is excellent, including for customer service.

I grew up on Kaiser in SoCal. Didn't know anything else until I got out of college. It was great for primary care.

My dad had a heart attack 12 years ago and was at Kaiser. I nearly had to move him. There is no way in hell I'd go there for anything critical.

[sgtclub]

Originally Posted by LessinSF

Quantitative Easing Explained.

"'The printing money' is the last refuge of failed economic empires and banana republics, and the Fed doesn't want to admit this is their only idea."

Brilliant