There’s been a whole lot of hoopla about a CBO (Congressional Budget Office) report. The one that announced that 2.3 million Americans might opt to stop working over the next ten years. Because PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act- aka Obamacare) has given then something these folks didn’t have before.
Continue reading A rose is a rose is a rose…
One of the key thoughts behind the idea of healthcare reform was to cut the cost of medical care. In America, more than 1 of every 6 dollars we spend is for health related expenses. (It was on track to be one of every 5 by this year- but that was before Obamacare [PPACA] was proposed and enacted.)
Continue reading Medicare sets the tone
Yesterday, we discussed indemnity, catastrophic, and conventional health care plans. One of the primary reasons to have a health care plan is to be able to get lower prices for each service that may be needed. Without such a plan, you pay what the provider wants- or get sued. The difference in pricing can be 90%. It is routine for me to see an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) detailing a bill that came in as $ 7244, was considered to be $ 1200 once reduced by my insurance carrier, and for my share of the costs to be only $ 50 or so.
Continue reading Isn’t there an easier way?
Oh, I know, you’ve heard that some folks’ insurance bill have escalated. I will not deny that changing from a catastrophic-coverage plan to a real health care plan is not more (even much more) expensive- but in the grand scheme of things for all citizens, that is not a big change. Because most Americans get their health care insurance at work.
Continue reading Indemnity my a..
You know, I spent all this week (so far) talking about 3D printing and its effect on industry and general business. Today, I will focus in on what this one development has and will bring to health care.
Continue reading 3D Update, Part 5…
It’s hard to believe how different health care is than normal technology. When we are dealing with computers, automobiles or other technology, things get cheaper and more efficient with time. In health care, new innovations either make things possible- sometimes at lower costs, but just as often these developments just cost more money. Which is why health care comprises some 20% of our GDP.
Continue reading Healthcare Cost Spiral
I’ve written before that Kinect has some wonderful medical applications. Here’s another one.
Continue reading Touch-Free and loving it!
OK. At least some people realized that Obamacare is real. It has not been repealed. It has not been adjudicated as illegal by the Supreme Court. Which means a lot of you are going to have to change another mistaken impression. Generic drugs a priori are not inferior to brand name drugs.
Continue reading What’s Generic?
Today is the day… One that will probably match the revolution in health care that arose almost 50 years ago. That was Medicare. This one, which will be revised as often and for the same reasons that we refined Medicare- is popularly (or is that infamously) known as Obamacare (PPACA is the legal abbreaviation for the act.)
Continue reading Today is the day!
It’s time for a little truth. One that has probably eluded you for years- because your employer provides your health insurance. But, if you have to buy your own insurance- or, worse yet, have no insurance, you probably have an inkling of these insidious practices.
Continue reading What’s behind that curtain?