What do you think? Is your health plan one of these?

RN2B2005 · Jan 10, 2003

News Flash: Insurers Are Businesses, Businesses Make Money

Insurers, even HMOs, aren't evil. They exist because there is a demand for their services--employers and individuals who want lower cost healthcare and are willing to accept limitations on access to care.

No-one was ever forced at gunpoint to sign up for an HMO, and don't give me stories about the poor kids with leukemia/heart disease/whatever...their parents KNEW (or should have known) when they signed up for the plan that bone marrow transplants/heart transplants/whatever weren't covered. The contract between an insurer and the insured is a BUSINESS contract, and thus the business can be expected to take any measures necessary to protect their assets.

I, for one, am glad to see that these companies are turning a profit. I'm also glad that I had the sense to read my benefits booklet, and the money to choose an insurer that makes money and provides all of the benefits stipulated to in the benefits booklet.

Sally_ICURN · Jan 11, 2003

Originally posted by RN2B2005
No-one was ever forced at gunpoint to sign up for an HMO, and don't give me stories about the poor kids with leukemia/heart disease/whatever...their parents KNEW (or should have known) when they signed up for the plan that bone marrow transplants/heart transplants/whatever weren't covered. The contract between an insurer and the insured is a BUSINESS contract, and thus the business can be expected to take any measures necessary to protect their assets.

Um, hello? People don't always have the advantage of knowing ahead of time that they or a family member will need a heart transplant, or a specialist, or a CTscan, or a freakin' perscription drug. And as far as people being forced at gunpoint? A large number of people in this country are not insured. It's more like they put up with what they can get if it's offered, and then end up fighting for what is rightfully due them.

I believe HMOs/Managed Care companies ARE evil and they don't give a crap about an enrollees health. They only care about the bottom (fiscal) line. You better believe they are going to protect their assets, at the expense of human life or the quality thereof.

This topic is far more complicated than a "business contract."

~Sally

OC_An Khe · Jan 12, 2003

Not everyone has a choice about what health plan or HMO is available to them. You get what your employer makes available to you....of course you could always change employers and when you do tell them why.

The cost of health insurance is sky rocketing again, so expect less coverage and higher individual costs in the future.

burntnurse · Jan 12, 2003

yes you are lucky that you have the money to put in fatcat's pocket. i think it is immoral for anyone to make a profit by gouching consumers. i feel the same way about for profit hospitals and nursing homes. there are many people suffering and dying because of lack of affordable health insurance, but i'm glad you sleep well.

LasVegasRN · Jan 13, 2003

Originally posted by Sally_ICURN
...I believe HMOs/Managed Care companies ARE evil and they don't give a crap about an enrollees health. They only care about the bottom (fiscal) line. You better believe they are going to protect their assets, at the expense of human life or the quality thereof....

That's insurance in a nutshell. You are just a number and a plan accesser, that's all.