Healthcare Insurance Issues
Healthcare Insurance Issues September 11, 2008
Healthcare today is a big issue for a lot of individuals, and families. Because it’s not affordable and some plans are lacking the necessary coverage people need these days. There are many ways to make healthcare more affordable, adequate, efficient, and patient-centered. That being said there are also various healthcare plans that are suited for many different people such as HMO’s, PPO’s, POS’s, Medicaid, and Medicare. This is why government should develop a reform plan that focus on all of the above issues and much more. That being said many observers; believe the reason healthcare has become so unaffordable because of the new drug developments as well as the need for new medical technology. “Others say healthcare is to expensive due to, administrative cost, marketing and profits, which account for 22 to 31 percent of the U.S.” (Haaland, R. 2007). I know in my experience healthcare insurance is not affordable because the deductibles, and coinsurance are outrageous. Some just say the premium themselves are very high, making it even more unaffordable for families to have. Lots of people say the rise in healthcare is because of the number of lawsuits due to malpractice. Another issue with the healthcare plans is the inadequate coverage that some of them provide. Some plans don’t include dental coverage; others only include discount vision plans that only cover certain aspects. There are some plans that don’t even cover preexisting condition. For instance if you are receiving treatment for cancer, or sickle cell anemia, some insurances would require you to be on their plan for at least 6 to 12 months. Until that time, in which they will cover these types of conditions. Statistics, also say that about 6 percent of insured older adults in
Healthcare today is a big issue for a lot of individuals, and families. Because it’s not affordable and some plans are lacking the necessary coverage people need these days. There are many ways to make healthcare more affordable, adequate, efficient, and patient-centered. That being said there are also various healthcare plans that are suited for many different people such as HMO’s, PPO’s, POS’s, Medicaid, and Medicare. This is why government should develop a reform plan that focus on all of the above issues and much more. That being said many observers; believe the reason healthcare has become so unaffordable because of the new drug developments as well as the need for new medical technology. “Others say healthcare is to expensive due to, administrative cost, marketing and profits, which account for 22 to 31 percent of the U.S.” (Haaland, R. 2007). I know in my experience healthcare insurance is not affordable because the deductibles, and coinsurance are outrageous. Some just say the premium themselves are very high, making it even more unaffordable for families to have. Lots of people say the rise in healthcare is because of the number of lawsuits due to malpractice. Another issue with the healthcare plans is the inadequate coverage that some of them provide. Some plans don’t include dental coverage; others only include discount vision plans that only cover certain aspects. There are some plans that don’t even cover preexisting condition. For instance if you are receiving treatment for cancer, or sickle cell anemia, some insurances would require you to be on their plan for at least 6 to 12 months. Until that time, in which they will cover these types of conditions. Statistics, also say that about 6 percent of insured older adults in
References: Engstrom, T. H. & Robison, W. L. (2006). Health care reform: Ethics and Politics. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester. Families USA (1997, September). A Children’s Health Insurance Factsheet. Retrieved October 14, 2008 from, Web site: http://www.familiesusa.org/resources/publications/fact- sheets/expanding-medicaid-is-the-best-option.html Haaland, R Kronenfled, J. J. & Kronenfled M. R. (2004). Healthcare reform in America: A reference handbook Massage & Bodywork (2005, January). Healthcare in poor shape. Consumers Health Complete, 19(6), 13-13. Retrieved October 3, 2008 from EBSCOhost database. Medicare (2008, May). Retrieved October14, 2008 from Social Security Online. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10043.html O 'Brien, S & About.com (2008). Baby Boomers and Healthcare: What are the problems and what can be done? Retrieved September 11, 2008 from, Senior Living Newsletter Web site: http://seniorliving.about.com/od/manageyourmoney/a/healthcarecosts.htm Understanding the Difference Between HMO, PPO, and POS., (2004, September 16) September 30, 2008 from Health Insurance Center Web site: http://www.insurance.com/article.aspx/Understanding_the_Difference_Between_HMO,_PPO,_and_POS/artid/70