The HMO plans that are called “insurance” here, aren’t. Real health insurance is called “high deductible” and works like other insurance - home, auto. In real insurance, premiums generally equal claims, and the company pays admin costs and profits by investing the reserve.
HMO plans are insane - a for profit company deciding what care you get? When any care reduces their bottom line? The only reason we have them is because they are a tax shelter.
Getting real health insurance (high deductible), with a HSA (Health Savings Account) provides the same tax benefits, and you make your own health care decisions.
Unfortunately, the proposed health “reform” bills so far all phase out tax benefits for real insurance and HSAs in 5 years - forcing everyone to get a government HMO (and let ‘crats make their care decisions) unless they are fairly rich. Kind of like what government schools did to education.
FitzFulke over 14 years ago
And in Japan and Germany, health insurance is nonprofit. Gernif dear, are you wearing glasses? And Converse hightops?
mivins over 14 years ago
Gernif, may I go home with you?
stuart over 14 years ago
The HMO plans that are called “insurance” here, aren’t. Real health insurance is called “high deductible” and works like other insurance - home, auto. In real insurance, premiums generally equal claims, and the company pays admin costs and profits by investing the reserve.
HMO plans are insane - a for profit company deciding what care you get? When any care reduces their bottom line? The only reason we have them is because they are a tax shelter.
Getting real health insurance (high deductible), with a HSA (Health Savings Account) provides the same tax benefits, and you make your own health care decisions.
Unfortunately, the proposed health “reform” bills so far all phase out tax benefits for real insurance and HSAs in 5 years - forcing everyone to get a government HMO (and let ‘crats make their care decisions) unless they are fairly rich. Kind of like what government schools did to education.