Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 My understanding is that you are able to get a group policy if you have at least one other person working with you who is going to be covered. Otherwise, you have to get an individual policy. Health insurance is wickedly expensive even for the healthy and actually stands as one of the main considerations as to whether this model will work for you (malpractice premium being another). In other words, if you have an illness or anyone in your family has an illness, the cost of health insurance might preclude you from being able to open a low overhead office. This is one of those opportunity cost things that I never hear make the news. How many people stay in their dead end jobs just so they can have health insurance for their family instead of following their dream? I bet the economic impact is staggering. physician healthcare didn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you, yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especially if you have no staff, especially if you're solo. i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employee packages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance, but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam. anyone else in this spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 theer was a graph in the american family Physican a few years ago came from the Graham center.. I can send it perhaps it shows two things on the graph-- one line is how incomes rise Gradully over time Other line was cos tof health insurance rising faster. the two lines intersect in 2025 translating to if things go as they a re going, in 2025 it will consume 100% of everyone's income to buy insurance. Well if we can't afford food that 'll solve the obesity problem... physician healthcare didn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you, yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especially if you have no staff, especially if you're solo. i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employee packages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance, but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam. anyone else in this spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I actually ripped it out and have it near my desk to show patients who are interested. No, I don’t think we’ll actually get to $85,000/year premium by 2025, but it is a fascinating description. physician healthcare didn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you, yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especially if you have no staff, especially if you're solo. i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employee packages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance, but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam. anyone else in this spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 http://www.aafp.org/afp/20051115/graham.html Graham Center One-Pager Who Will Have Health Insurance in 2025? If current trends continue, U.S. health insurance costs will consume the average household's annual income by 2025. As health care becomes unaffordable for most people in the United States, it will be necessary to implement innovative models to move the system in a more equitable and sustainable direction. In 2004, premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance increased by 11.2 percent--the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases--outpacing the 2004 national wage increase of 2.2 percent.1 Employers increasingly view health insurance as an unaffordable benefit. Already, only one half of employers with fewer than 10 employees offer health insurance. Larger employers are outsourcing jobs and shifting more of the health care costs onto their employees who, in some cases, cannot afford to purchase coverage for their families.2 If health insurance premiums and national wages continue to grow at current rates, the average cost of a family health insurance premium will surpass the average annual household income by 2025 (see accompanying figure),2,3 approximately the time when the Medicare trust fund is projected to be insolvent.4 Annual Health Insurance Premiums and Household Income, 1996 to 2025 FIGURE. Annual family health insurance premiums compared with household income, 1996 to 2025. NOTE: Projections for 2003 to 2025 were extrapolations of the 1996 to 2002 average annual increase rates (3.03 percent for incomes and 10.83 percent for insurance premiums) using 2002 data as baseline. Information from references 2 and 3. With health insurance packages bought and sold as profitable commodities, adequate health insurance coverage will soon be a product of shrinking benefits, to be bought by the wealthy and sold to the healthy. Most individuals cannot shoulder the burden of rising health care costs, and medical expense now tops the list of reasons for personal bankruptcy.5,6 If the system remains the same, the number of uninsured will continue to grow. Shifting health care coverage from a commodity to a social good could reduce disparities and produce better population health. Changes in health care coverage will require more equitable and sustainable models of health care delivery and aligned advocacy to support them. The instability of health care financing and delivery provides an opportunity for family physician leaders to develop new models of efficient practice, with care that is accessible to everyone.7 REFERENCES 1. Kaiser Family Foundation and The Health Research and Educational Trust. Employer health benefits 2004: annual survey. Menlo Park, Calif. 2. Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Index of insurance component tables (health insurance cost study) 1996-2003. 3. U.S. Census Bureau. Table H-8. Median household income by state: 1984 to 2003. 4. 2005 Annual report of the Boards of Trustees of the Federal HospitalInsurance and Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Funds. Washington, D.C., March 23, 2005. 5. May JH, Cunningham PJ. Tough trade-offs. Issue brief no. 85. Washington, D.C.: Center for Studying Health System Change, June 2004:1-4. 6. y MB, et al. Rethinking the debates over health care financing. New York University Law Review 2001;76:375-418. 7. JC, et al. The future of family medicine. Ann Fam Med 2004;2(suppl 1):S3-32. note: The information and opinions contained in research from the Graham Center do not necessarily reflect the views or the policy of the AAFP. Adapted from the Graham Center One-Pager #40. DeVoe JE, Dodoo MS, RL Jr, Green LA. Who will have health insurance in 2025? November 2005. From the Graham Center: Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, 1350 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20036 (telephone: ; fax: ; e-mail: policy@...). Locke, MD From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Brady, MDSent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:37 AMTo: Subject: RE: physician healthcare I actually ripped it out and have it near my desk to show patients who are interested. No, I don’t think we’ll actually get to $85,000/year premium by 2025, but it is a fascinating description. RE: physician healthcareMy understanding is that you are able to get a group policy if you haveat least one other person working with you who is going to be covered.Otherwise, you have to get an individual policy. Health insurance iswickedly expensive even for the healthy and actually stands as one ofthe main considerations as to whether this model will work for you(malpractice premium being another). In other words, if you have anillness or anyone in your family has an illness, the cost of healthinsurance might preclude you from being able to open a low overheadoffice.This is one of those opportunity cost things that I never hear make thenews. How many people stay in their dead end jobs just so they can havehealth insurance for their family instead of following their dream? Ibet the economic impact is staggering.-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of lsaintloSent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:53 AMTo: Subject: physician healthcaredidn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you,yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especiallyif you have no staff, especially if you're solo.i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employeepackages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance,but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam.anyone else in this spot? 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Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 I'm sole bread-winner in the family... except for daughter's baby-sitting ;-)I've got a PPO, high-deductible policy thru the area's biggest insurance. I pay $300/month basically to cover catastrophic care, then pay everything myself up to about $10,000/yr. Only one year in the last 15 would have gotten us to the max payout, or even near the same as paying the $900/mo usual premium. (One caveat -- I do not think such an insurance is good for health care in general as I don't think most patients are " educated " enough to " shop " for medical services and make consistently good decisions for themselfves ... but it works for me.)I was able to set it up as a DBA and it covers my 4-person family. I have no staff. Rules may vary from state to state or company to company.'s points about insurance being a big strain is so true. And it's an interesting point about folks staying in dead-end jobs due to insurance coverage rather than setting out on their own.Perhaps Barack and Hillary should start selling their health financing plans as a way to turn on the entrepreneurial spirit of America!Tim > On Wed, February 20, 2008 7:53 am EST, lsaintlo wrote:> > > didn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you,> yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especially> if you have no staff, especially if you're solo.> > i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employee> packages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance,> but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam.> anyone else in this spot?> > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links> > To visit your group on the web, go to:> http://groups.yahoo.com/group//> > Your email settings:> Individual Email | Traditional> > To change settings online go to:> http://groups.yahoo.com/group//join> (Yahoo! ID required)> > To change settings via email:> mailto:-digest > mailto:-fullfeatured > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:> -unsubscribe > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> > > > ---------------------------------------- Malia, MDMalia Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.Perinton Square MallFairport, NY 14450 (phone / fax)www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMaliawww.SkinSenseLaser.com-- Confidentiality Notice --This email message, including all the attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains confidential information. Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message, including attachments.---------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 Tim, What was interesting was that my insurance premium (my corporation pays the health insurance for my family and my nurse) went up 8% last year and the insurance broker called and was excited—after all, it only went up 8% this year. What a bargain!! I informed her that general inflation was not 8% and my reimbursements from that insurance company haven’t moved in the past 2 years. Her response was “health care is expensive.” When we get excited by a mere 8% increase in premiums, I think there is a problem. My premiums have increased 20% since I opened 5 years ago and that is for a policy with fewer benefits (If I had stayed with the original plan, the increase would be closer to 35%). I fear what would happen to our premiums if someone in my family (or my nurse) gets sick. Interesting thought, I fear the losing the ability to access the health care system that I am fearful of entering in the first place. J Re: physician healthcare I'm sole bread-winner in the family... except for daughter's baby-sitting ;-) I've got a PPO, high-deductible policy thru the area's biggest insurance. I pay $300/month basically to cover catastrophic care, then pay everything myself up to about $10,000/yr. Only one year in the last 15 would have gotten us to the max payout, or even near the same as paying the $900/mo usual premium. (One caveat -- I do not think such an insurance is good for health care in general as I don't think most patients are " educated " enough to " shop " for medical services and make consistently good decisions for themselfves ... but it works for me.) I was able to set it up as a DBA and it covers my 4-person family. I have no staff. Rules may vary from state to state or company to company. 's points about insurance being a big strain is so true. And it's an interesting point about folks staying in dead-end jobs due to insurance coverage rather than setting out on their own. Perhaps Barack and Hillary should start selling their health financing plans as a way to turn on the entrepreneurial spirit of America! Tim > On Wed, February 20, 2008 7:53 am EST, lsaintlo wrote: > > > didn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you, > yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especially > if you have no staff, especially if you're solo. > > i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employee > packages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance, > but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam. > anyone else in this spot? > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2008 Report Share Posted February 20, 2008 We have an individual policy through a major insurer for $311/month for our family of 4. $40 copay and $5000 deductible ($10,000 family ded). We have it basically for catastrophic coverage. The copay doesn’t apply for well-woman exams but does for well-child. Go figure. We don’t offer health insurance to our employees (both are part time). To compensate, we pay slightly more per hour than the average and we tell our employees how much it costs for group insurance vs individual insurance and encourage them to at least get catastrophic coverage. Pratt Office Manager Oak Tree Internal Medicine P.C. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of lsaintlo Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 4:53 AM To: Subject: physician healthcare didn't get much response from this before, but how do you - you, yourself - pay for your own health care, and your family's? especially if you have no staff, especially if you're solo. i see that chambers-of-commerce often have deals for employee packages, and that various of us have spouses with great insurance, but... i'm imagining flying solo, & i'd be the breadwinner in my fam. anyone else in this spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 AND ANOTHER THING thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple threads. i am particularly exercised to learn that many on the list have no health care & minimal health maintenance themselves... good thing y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge from the camp photos)... but seriously folks, what about the excellent idea of this group forming a group for health insurance? or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 I sent the question to my insurance broker (she is excellent). I will forward her response. Re: physician healthcare AND ANOTHER THING thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple threads. i am particularly exercised to learn that many on the list have no health care & minimal health maintenance themselves... good thing y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge from the camp photos)... but seriously folks, what about the excellent idea of this group forming a group for health insurance? or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2008 Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 New Zealand, Denmark... What do you all know about Costa Rica?lsaintlo wrote: AND ANOTHER THINGthanks you guys for the many replies on multiple threads.i am particularly exercised to learn that many on the list have nohealth care & minimal health maintenance themselves... good thingy'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge from the campphotos)... but seriously folks, what about the excellent idea of thisgroup forming a group for health insurance?or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 Here is her response: At current, unless the government changes the regulations/guidelines, there are no true group affiliation programs for groups as you described. Sometimes referred to as associations, the buying power of these arrangements fizzled years ago due to adverse selection. In some instances you will see info showing benefits available through associations. This is mostly a few added 'extras' but no real buying power or price discounts. Another obstacle due to the nature of medical insurance is regional coverages. Products/networks tend to be regionally based and pricing of insurance bounces off regional medical charges. It is an interesting situation we are in as a nation. I won't go into politics - but the future shall be interesting. Re: physician healthcare AND ANOTHER THING thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple threads. i am particularly exercised to learn that many on the list have no health care & minimal health maintenance themselves... good thing y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge from the camp photos)... but seriously folks, what about the excellent idea of this group forming a group for health insurance? or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2008 Report Share Posted February 22, 2008 I suspected that's what the answer would be since we are so geographically spread out. Thanks for the effort . Soma Mandal --- " Brady, MD " wrote: > Here is her response: > > At current, unless the government changes the > regulations/guidelines, > there are no true group affiliation programs for > groups as you > described. Sometimes referred to as associations, > the buying power of > these arrangements fizzled years ago due to adverse > selection. In some > instances you will see info showing benefits > available through > associations. This is mostly a few added 'extras' > but no real buying > power or price discounts. > Another obstacle due to the nature of medical > insurance is regional > coverages. Products/networks tend to be regionally > based and pricing of > insurance bounces off regional medical charges. > > It is an interesting situation we are in as a > nation. I won't go into > politics - but the future shall be interesting. > > > Re: physician > healthcare > > AND ANOTHER THING > thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple > threads. > > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no > health care & minimal health maintenance > themselves... good thing > y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge > from the camp > photos)... but seriously folks, what about the > excellent idea of this > group forming a group for health insurance? > > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don’t offer it does not mean it can’t be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. Re: physician > healthcare > > AND ANOTHER THING > thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple > threads. > > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no > health care & minimal health maintenance > themselves... good thing > y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge > from the camp > photos)... but seriously folks, what about the > excellent idea of this > group forming a group for health insurance? > > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING > > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 A long time ago, AAFP did offer group health insurance. They dropped it in the early 90’s and now just offer the life, disability, practice overhead and such. I think it must be hard to administer and time consuming staffing wise. I belong to an IPA that has a group health insurance plan. I don’t buy it as I have been fortunate to have health insurance through my husband’s pension; the only reason he was “allowed” to retire. Kathy Saradarian, MD Branchville, NJ www.qualityfamilypractice.com Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90 Practice Partner 5/03 Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Brady, MD Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 7:33 PM To: Subject: RE: Re: physician healthcare Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don’t offer it does not mean it can’t be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. -----Original Message----- From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of lawrence lyon Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 6:38 PM To: Subject: RE: Re: physician healthcare if that's the case, why can't we have state associations, and with national affiliation to the entire group. could we get group health insurance that way? LL Soma Mandal wrote: I suspected that's what the answer would be since we are so geographically spread out. Thanks for the effort . Soma Mandal --- " Brady, MD " wrote: > Here is her response: > > At current, unless the government changes the > regulations/guidelines, > there are no true group affiliation programs for > groups as you > described. Sometimes referred to as associations, > the buying power of > these arrangements fizzled years ago due to adverse > selection. In some > instances you will see info showing benefits > available through > associations. This is mostly a few added 'extras' > but no real buying > power or price discounts. > Another obstacle due to the nature of medical > insurance is regional > coverages. Products/networks tend to be regionally > based and pricing of > insurance bounces off regional medical charges. > > It is an interesting situation we are in as a > nation. I won't go into > politics - but the future shall be interesting. > > > Re: physician > healthcare > > AND ANOTHER THING > thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple > threads. > > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no > health care & minimal health maintenance > themselves... good thing > y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge > from the camp > photos)... but seriously folks, what about the > excellent idea of this > group forming a group for health insurance? > > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING > > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 AMA offers medical insurance both HSA and idemnity but you need to be a member to start the insurance. You need not stay a member to keep the insurance. " Brady, MD" wrote: Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don’t offer it does not mean it can’t be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of lawrence lyonSent: Friday, February 22, 2008 6:38 PMTo: Subject: RE: Re: physician healthcare if that's the case, why can't we have state associations, and with national affiliation to the entire group. could we get group health insurance that way? LLSoma Mandal <somamandal2000> wrote: I suspected that's what the answer would be since weare so geographically spread out.Thanks for the effort .Soma Mandal--- " Brady, MD"<drbradythevillagedoctor (DOT) hrcoxmail.com> wrote:> Here is her response:> > At current, unless the government changes the> regulations/guidelines,> there are no true group affiliation programs for> groups as you> described. Sometimes referred to as associations,> the buying power of> these arrangements fizzled years ago due to adverse> selection. In some> instances you will see info showing benefits> available through> associations. This is mostly a few added 'extras'> but no real buying> power or price discounts.> Another obstacle due to the nature of medical> insurance is regional> coverages. Products/networks tend to be regionally> based and pricing of> insurance bounces off regional medical charges.> > It is an interesting situation we are in as a> nation. I won't go into> politics - but the future shall be interesting.> > > Re: physician> healthcare> > AND ANOTHER THING> thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple> threads.> > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on> the list have no> health care & minimal health maintenance> themselves... good thing> y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge> from the camp> photos)... but seriously folks, what about the> excellent idea of this> group forming a group for health insurance?> > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 1. how much is ama membership? 2 is the i nsurance a good enough deal to make it worthwhile- and is the insruance contracted out by various states or can Maine and Iowa get the same deal?I called HArvard Pilgrim yesterday to inquire about switching to them They run Dirigo the state's well intended but not very useful insurance program for individuals and small businesses .after 7 i am not kidding phone calls i was told call an insurance broker. Well silly me. When we make everything so hard for people we get Lynn Ho wondering why building confidence is so hard.Maybe we should measure learned helplessness and anger. AMA offers medical insurance both HSA and idemnity but you need to be a member to start the insurance. You need not stay a member to keep the insurance. " Brady, MD " wrote: Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don't offer it does not mean it can't be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of lawrence lyon Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 6:38 PMTo: Subject: RE: Re: physician healthcare if that's the case, why can't we have state associations, and with national affiliation to the entire group. could we get group health insurance that way? LLSoma Mandal wrote: I suspected that's what the answer would be since we are so geographically spread out.Thanks for the effort .Soma Mandal--- " Brady, MD " wrote: > Here is her response:> > At current, unless the government changes the> regulations/guidelines,> there are no true group affiliation programs for> groups as you> described. Sometimes referred to as associations,> the buying power of> these arrangements fizzled years ago due to adverse> selection. In some> instances you will see info showing benefits > available through> associations. This is mostly a few added 'extras'> but no real buying> power or price discounts.> Another obstacle due to the nature of medical> insurance is regional > coverages. Products/networks tend to be regionally> based and pricing of> insurance bounces off regional medical charges.> > It is an interesting situation we are in as a> nation. I won't go into > politics - but the future shall be interesting.> > > Re: physician> healthcare> > AND ANOTHER THING> thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple> threads.> > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no> health care & minimal health maintenance> themselves... good thing> y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge> from the camp> photos)... but seriously folks, what about the > excellent idea of this> group forming a group for health insurance?> > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -- If you are a patient please allow up to 4-8 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address/e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2008 Report Share Posted February 23, 2008 I bought my disability insurance through the AMA 10 years ago, and I have not been a member of the AMA ever. I pay for it through my home account so if I ever need to rely on it, it will be tax-free income. TheAMA does not publish the fact that you can access their insurance services without being a member, and I guess this might have changed in the last decade, but I do not think so. My life insurance is through the AAFP. I am currently looking into business interruption insurance through the AAFP. I agree with you about the learned helplessness bit also. Durango, CO 1. how much is ama membership? 2 is the i nsurance a good enough deal to make it worthwhile- and is the insruance contracted out by various states or can Maine and Iowa get the same deal?I called HArvard Pilgrim yesterday to inquire about switching to them They run Dirigo the state's well intended but not very useful insurance program for individuals and small businesses .after 7 i am not kidding phone calls i was told call an insurance broker. Well silly me. When we make everything so hard for people we get Lynn Ho wondering why building confidence is so hard.Maybe we should measure learned helplessness and anger. AMA offers medical insurance both HSA and idemnity but you need to be a member to start the insurance. You need not stay a member to keep the insurance. " Brady, MD " wrote: Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don't offer it does not mean it can't be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. Re: physician> healthcare> > AND ANOTHER THING> thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple> threads.> > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no> health care & minimal health maintenance> themselves... good thing> y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge> from the camp> photos)... but seriously folks, what about the > excellent idea of this> group forming a group for health insurance?> > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -- If you are a patient please allow up to 4-8 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address/ e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 I have not been a member of the AMA since 2004. They could not and did not support me when malpractice insurance would not be written for new start up, but I did buy catastrophic health plan from the which would not be a good fit for you unless you routinely spend $10,000/year over two year period. Besides they have modified this plan so you can only obtain it if you already have a primary plan. Give them a call. The policy was the best I could obtain in 2004, so it has worked well for us. Average insurance and healthcare expense over 4 years has been $6,500 per year. We have paid between $1000 $3000 in premiums per year. Our business has paid the premium and all our out of pocket expenses have been reimbursed pretax by our corporation. NO a good plan if using after-tax dollars. My wife gave birth to our third son in 2005, while my second son was worked up for migraine headaches. This put us over the $20,000 over a two year period. Since then all healthacare has been covered 100%. Routine office visit for one child $150/each. Labs at hospital $180 for CMP. Tonsilectomy $7000. will need a hernia repair this spring which will also be covered 100%. Two years after we hit the $20,000 mark. Our deductible will start over unless chronic ongoing issue for the same incident, ie brain tumor, cancer, etc. I believe we are covered 2 million per family member. We will be shopping for health insurance again later this year. However, this plan has been good for us, since familiy premiums in 2004 were $1400/month with a $5000 deductible. We would have paid $19000 out of pocket each of the 4 years or by my estimate $76,000 over the 4 years for that plan. wrote: 1. how much is ama membership? 2 is the i nsurance a good enough deal to make it worthwhile- and is the insruance contracted out by various states or can Maine and Iowa get the same deal?I called HArvard Pilgrim yesterday to inquire about switching to themThey run Dirigo the state's well intended but not very useful insurance program for individuals and small businesses .after 7 i am not kidding phone calls i was told call an insurance broker. Well silly me.When we make everything so hard for people we get Lynn Ho wondering why building confidence is so hard.Maybe we should measure learned helplessness and anger. On Sat, Feb 23, 2008 at 12:08 PM, Egly <kevin_egly> wrote: AMA offers medical insurance both HSA and idemnity but you need to be a member to start the insurance. You need not stay a member to keep the insurance. " Brady, MD" <drbradythevillagedoctor (DOT) hrcoxmail.com> wrote: Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don't offer it does not mean it can't be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. Re: physician> healthcare> > AND ANOTHER THING> thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple> threads.> > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on> the list have no> health care & minimal health maintenance> themselves... good thing> y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge> from the camp> photos)... but seriously folks, what about the> excellent idea of this> group forming a group for health insurance?> > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -- If you are a patient please allow up to 4-8 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address/e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2008 Report Share Posted February 24, 2008 I must be missing something here…. You paid $1400 per month, plus the $5K deductible = $21,800 per year X 4 = $87,200 that you spent in 4 years WITH insurance, but would’ve paid $19,000 X 4 = $76,000 if you’d just paid out of pocket…. So spending $11,200 more with insurance, and 35% of all the dollars going into administrative costs is good?? What am I overlooking? Annie From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Egly Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2008 9:33 AM To: Subject: Re: Re: physician healthcare We will be shopping for health insurance again later this year. However, this plan has been good for us, since familiy premiums in 2004 were $1400/month with a $5000 deductible. We would have paid $19000 out of pocket each of the 4 years or by my estimate $76,000 over the 4 years for that plan. wrote: 1. how much is ama membership? 2 is the i nsurance a good enough deal to make it worthwhile- and is the insruance contracted out by various states or can Maine and Iowa get the same deal? I called HArvard Pilgrim yesterday to inquire about switching to them They run Dirigo the state's well intended but not very useful insurance program for individuals and small businesses .after 7 i am not kidding phone calls i was told call an insurance broker. Well silly me. When we make everything so hard for people we get Lynn Ho wondering why building confidence is so hard. Maybe we should measure learned helplessness and anger. AMA offers medical insurance both HSA and idemnity but you need to be a member to start the insurance. You need not stay a member to keep the insurance. " Brady, MD " wrote: Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don't offer it does not mean it can't be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. Re: physician > healthcare > > AND ANOTHER THING > thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple > threads. > > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no > health care & minimal health maintenance > themselves... good thing > y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge > from the camp > photos)... but seriously folks, what about the > excellent idea of this > group forming a group for health insurance? > > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING > > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -- If you are a patient please allow up to 4-8 hours for a reply by email/ please note the new email address/ e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2008 Report Share Posted February 25, 2008 thanks I only spend that much occasionallyBut ken has not has a rare dx or a hit and run in a few yrs so we might be due.he usually gets admitted to hospitals at Thanksgiving Portland ME Las Vagas Augsuta Maine I am not kidding how many holidays i have been in hospitals...hmm that give me a few months! Thanks and i will do the math I have not been a member of the AMA since 2004. They could not and did not support me when malpractice insurance would not be written for new start up, but I did buy catastrophic health plan from the which would not be a good fit for you unless you routinely spend $10,000/year over two year period. Besides they have modified this plan so you can only obtain it if you already have a primary plan. Give them a call. The policy was the best I could obtain in 2004, so it has worked well for us. Average insurance and healthcare expense over 4 years has been $6,500 per year. We have paid between $1000 $3000 in premiums per year. Our business has paid the premium and all our out of pocket expenses have been reimbursed pretax by our corporation. NO a good plan if using after-tax dollars. My wife gave birth to our third son in 2005, while my second son was worked up for migraine headaches. This put us over the $20,000 over a two year period. Since then all healthacare has been covered 100%. Routine office visit for one child $150/each. Labs at hospital $180 for CMP. Tonsilectomy $7000. will need a hernia repair this spring which will also be covered 100%. Two years after we hit the $20,000 mark. Our deductible will start over unless chronic ongoing issue for the same incident, ie brain tumor, cancer, etc. I believe we are covered 2 million per family member. We will be shopping for health insurance again later this year. However, this plan has been good for us, since familiy premiums in 2004 were $1400/month with a $5000 deductible. We would have paid $19000 out of pocket each of the 4 years or by my estimate $76,000 over the 4 years for that plan. wrote: 1. how much is ama membership? 2 is the i nsurance a good enough deal to make it worthwhile- and is the insruance contracted out by various states or can Maine and Iowa get the same deal?I called HArvard Pilgrim yesterday to inquire about switching to them They run Dirigo the state's well intended but not very useful insurance program for individuals and small businesses .after 7 i am not kidding phone calls i was told call an insurance broker. Well silly me.When we make everything so hard for people we get Lynn Ho wondering why building confidence is so hard.Maybe we should measure learned helplessness and anger. AMA offers medical insurance both HSA and idemnity but you need to be a member to start the insurance. You need not stay a member to keep the insurance. " Brady, MD " wrote: Apparently no. My guess is that if it could be done, the AAFP or AMA would have already done it. After all, docs are generally a healthier group of people than most so I would think insurances would love us. I admit that just because they don't offer it does not mean it can't be done, but unless we are all Medicare eligible, I think it may be impossible. With that said, I thought I read that the S.C. governor signed a law this week which allows small corporations to pool their resources to reduce health care expenditures. Things may be changing. Re: physician> healthcare> > AND ANOTHER THING> thanks you guys for the many replies on multiple> threads.> > i am particularly exercised to learn that many on > the list have no> health care & minimal health maintenance> themselves... good thing> y'all're athletic young folk in your 20s (to judge> from the camp> photos)... but seriously folks, what about the> excellent idea of this > group forming a group for health insurance?> > or, you know, moving to canada. KIDDING> > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -- If you are a patient please allow up to 4-8 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address/ e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -- If you are a patient please allow up to 4-8 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address/e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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