Review: "Do You Speak Health Insurance? It's Not Easy" – NPR
This article by Mark Zdechlik was published today from NPR, Minnesota Public Radio, and Kaiser Health News. After reading it this morning, it threw off my entire day. I wasn't nonplussed that all the people they interviewed were stymied about how the current insurance system works. I wasn't surprised that "only 1 in 5 got the right answer" in regards to this research quiz that required people to know the difference between co-pay, deductible, and coinsurance: "A guy goes to t
Review: "Some Health Plans Have No In-Network Doctors in Key Specialties" – NPR
This was an article posted by Alison Kodjak of NPR. My response: yup, and we let insurance companies get away with this shit. What would happen if you bought a computer and upon getting it home, it didn't contain a power cord? You'd be pissed. Especially since there's a picture of the power cord on the box, and so you expected to have a power cord when you got home. Otherwise, you'd have went with a different brand or just bought the damn power cord while you were at the stor
Review: "More Whistleblowers Say Health Plans Are Gouging Medicare" – NPR
I'm more concerned that people are surprised by this than I am that it is actually happening. Read the NPR Blog post. Medicare is a bloated, inefficient system that has so many rules and regulations that I don't even try to think about it because it would ruin my day and keep me from the joys of patient care. Medicaid and the VA system are equally as bad. Good intentions, terrible execution. It's strange to me that we'd create government programs, then turn around and pay a p
Review: "Runaway Drug Prices" – The New York Times
I'm so blessed to have friends who love to read. Why yes, I did see this article from The New York Times Editorial Board. My response: Yup, a drug that costs $200 one day can easily cost $1300 the next because pharmacy companies can change whatever they want. And patients can't do anything about it because it's essentially a closed market. Thus, I say open the market up. There are equally effective medications being created overseas at a quarter of the price. If you want pres