Smoove_B wrote:The wife was just given paperwork on Friday regarding upcoming changes to her (our) healthcare plan for 2017. Last year she needed to jump through various hoops to be given the best plan (i.e. lowest cost). Now I will need to jump through similar hoops in order for her to qualify. The hoops are basically submitting to a checkup and blood work if I understand the paperwork correctly. Regardless, I'm guessing each year they're going to keep tightening the exclusions so that eventually only Greek Gods (and their Greek God spouses) are able qualify for the cheapest plans through her job and little by little, everyone else will be paying more. It's certainly going to be interesting.
I've always gone PPO over HMO, due to the need for less hoop jumping. I've been willing to a higher annual cost to reduce having to deal with the insurance company. I discovered this year that my BCBSM PPO now requires approval to get things like an EEG. What's the point of not having to get referrals and not needing to declare a PCP if you need approval from a general practitioner to do anything outside of a general practioner's purview anyway?
This year,
they're suggesting I have heart problems (though I believe it's lung problems and that this is going to be a long time for a diagnosis). I've started the process of trying to find out what is wrong with me over a month ago. My out of pocket will eventually be nuts and I still haven't even to the cardiologist due to the process and the communication of all departments with the insurance company that must take place to move forward. In the meantime, they tell me "if you have
any problems go straight to emergency room." I have problems nearly every day. I don't have the time and money to visit the emergency room every day.
My philosophy is that if they can't find the time to see me and figure out what's up, then the problem can't be that bad. Still, I sit here afraid to mow the lawn (which I have to do today) because 30 minutes of mild labor will totally kick my ass and I'm not looking forward to having my ass kicked once a week for the next six months while the lawn goes to shit anyway.