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NWR Current Events Thread

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cyndi33 Posts : 2,585 Registered: 1/3/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 2:27 PM Go to message in response to: BirdLover

Bird, You can get the treatment, but you will pay after, and I know people who've been bankrupted by this very thing. A girl who had breast cancer at 24, no insurance, bankrupt. And, my daughter was in the hospital for two nights, bad reaction to an over the counter antihistamine, and her bills are over $20,000 out of pocket. She is 19. She couldn't be on our coverage any longer because she was 19 and not a full time college student, and she couldn't afford the premium her job offered, would have been 1/2 her pay. So...

I think it is pretty common here. But, that is hospital care, many people don't go before it gets to the point where hospitalization is required or it's too late, because just an office call alone, with nothing else done, is about $100. At least here it is. And at the office, yes, you have to pay upfront if you don't have insurance. It is truly an abysmal and horrible system. I think it increases overall costs for all too, because they take out the cost of unpaid bills somewhere anyway. They aren't going to give up their profits over it.


march_2007 , ptg , colorado , nwr , wtf , kittens
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MrsMcCain Posts : 581 Registered: 10/24/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 2:28 PM Go to message in response to: BirdLover

Wow that health insurance seems a little high I must say! I don't have health insurance right now, but my employer offers it for $250.00 per month (one person) or $650.00 per month (family) and a $2,500 deductible. I could not find a plan that had a deductible under $2,500. Which to me is a lot of money per month considering I only make $30,000.00 per year right now. I looked a private healthcare too and actually got a quote for $205.00 per month (single person), not sure what the family would be like.

I agree with everyone else though. I think even asking $200 per month or $600 per month for family is ridiculous because that is not including all of your copays and deductibles. It is sad that the government doesn't try to regulate the insurance companies better, that is why the prices are so high. It kind of makes me want to live in Canada, just so I don't have to fear not having enough money to pay my bills every month if I went to the doctor!

Is anyone else upset when they found out where the bailout money is going and what it was being used for? Imagine how many people could have proper healthcare for 700 billion dollars.

october_2006 , august_2008 , iowa
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ChrissLady Posts : 1,352 Registered: 4/5/06
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 2:55 PM Go to message in response to: MrsMcCain

DH and I are both covered through my job. For medical, dental, and vision for both of us I think it's under $200. We do have $20 co-pays, $40 if its a specialist. We also have certain amounts to pay on prescriptions. The way we remedy the out of pocket pain is through a Flexible Spending Plan. It takes a certain amount of money out of your check every month pre tax, and when you pay for something medical out of pocket, you file a claim and are reimbursed. Yes, technically you are still paying for it, but it lowers your taxable income and helps spread the cost. You can spend all the money at one time if you want, even if you haven't contributed the entire amount. I left my previous job last year around this time and spent my entire FSA on glasses before I left. They didn't take the difference out of my last check, but they may have just been my job. Only problem is that if you don't use it you lose it, so you need to make a good estimate or load up on cough syrup at the end of the month.

Eligible items include, the cost of glasses/contact above what insurance will cover including contact solution, same with dental, co-pays, prescriptions, OTC medications.

It really helps a lot. I don't know why more people don't take advantage of it. There is also a similar account for childcare cost. My boss uses this for her daughter's daycare expenses.


 

insurance , current_events
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cyndi33 Posts : 2,585 Registered: 1/3/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 3:11 PM Go to message in response to: ChrissLady

I loved the flexible spending account. But I no longer have a job that offers it, and DH doesn't either. So, no go on that. but it was great, and bonus on that, when I lost my job I didn't have to repay the money I had used, and I had used the full year already cause my daughter unexpectedly had to ahve her wisdom teeth removed. Anyway, employees use it or lose it, but employers lose it if the employment ends before the employee has had their total amount deducted for the year. I was happy to learn that, particularly given the way my job ended. So for those people who can use that option, I loved it when I had it (for about 10 years) and it did save money cause of taxes. I never used the child care part of it, but I guess that works similarly.

I think some people were posting the total amount coverage costs (including both their share and then what the employer covers, to get the total amount that the insurance actually costs) But I'm not sure. That's what I included though.


march_2007 , colorado , insurance , current_events
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luvathena Posts : 929 Registered: 12/10/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 14, 2009 3:43 PM Go to message in response to: cyndi33

Yeah- that's what I was doing- posting the entire amount. And I'm not even sure it hasn't gone up.

But even with ins.,I tell you I'm inundated with medical bills right now. My daughter and I both ended up in the ER this summer and those alone are over $500 each in uninsured costs (they have a way of rejecting costs they think were not necessary-but it's all monday quarterback thinking- since your illness was nerve damage the X-rays were unnecessary). As well, as drs. who are at hospital but don't accept the ins. amount. They want their full bill. It's a rat's den of exceptions!

The worst hit are those who make just enough $ that they don't qualify for state med. assistance.

My girlfriend was one of those. She wouldn't go to the dr. becuse they required cash up front (and she never had enough for that and her other bills), and when she was really really sick, went to ER who kept her for as long as required to get her on meds and kicked her out. She ended up with a diagnosis of terminal cancer after the 5th trip to the ER. She was dead within 6 weeks. It was heartbreaking.

Maggie and Tom-8-31-08

Hereweare.jpg Tom and I announced image by mbernal

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MrsMcCain Posts : 581 Registered: 10/24/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 11:12 AM Go to message in response to: luvathena

Wow I"m so sorry to hear about your friend. That could be a potential medical malpractice case. Just because you don't have insurance the hospitals still have to treat, that is just basic ethics. Even if you can't pay they cannot just kick you to the curb.

From what you wrote it definately sounds like the standard of care was not met, especially if she was in the ER 5 times and not one doctor did anything. I don't know how long ago that happened (normally there is a two year statute) but I would try to take legal action against those E.R. doctors. It just blows my mind how horrible they treated her.

It kind of reminds me of that story where a woman who an immigrant went to the E.R. with stomach issues and was clearly in a lot of pain sat there for 19 hours and ended up DYING ON THE FLOOR. There were event other patients in the ER that expressed concern for her to the receptionists/doctors and one even went as far as to call 911 from the doctors office, yet nothing was done they just ignored her.

I kind of want to move to Canada. Bird you make it sound so nice and comforting because you are right when you say "you don't have to choose between being healthy and making a mortgage payment or loosing your house or entire savings over an accident or health condition".

I think life would be more great if noone had to worry about things like that everyday.

Edited by: MrsMcCain on Jan 15, 2009 11:12 AM

august_2008 , iowa
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kelleyiskelley Posts : 11,593 Registered: 7/2/06
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 1:10 PM Go to message in response to: MrsMcCain

Stories like that make me so angry and sad,and make me wanna get the hell outta this country and go somewhere like Canada where they actually take care of their people, and people arent losing their homes and life savings because they got cancer. Makes me sick to my stomach.

Well everyone - Bush gives his Farewell Speech tonight. Music to my ears. FAREWELL Speech.

And then only 5 more days til Obama .....

Its amazing when you think about it. Really amazing.

Check out the Wedding Planner Buzz and My Blog @ www.myaislerunner.com

WATCH OUT "Bleight-ers".TEAM KICK-ASS (LittleRoo,Cyclist,MrsFord,OldAmy and Kelley) are going to KICK. YOUR. ASS!!!

"When you're born, you get a free ticket to the Freak Show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." - R.I.P. George Carlin

  

 

october_2006 , august_2008 , iowa
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luvathena Posts : 929 Registered: 12/10/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 4:45 PM Go to message in response to: MrsMcCain

Yeah-I told her hubby to do that. but he wasn't functional enough to follow through. Ended up with multiple DUI's after her death and in jail. She had a malignant tumor on her tailbone that was so enlarged that it had cut off all lower abdomen functioning. They took out the tumor but the cancer had spread too far to do anything. She died years ago now.

We had been friends since 3rd grade and I was her kids' godparent. I ended up raising her oldest from jr. hi on. My friend had a lot of issues, but she didn't deserve to die like that. They were very cold to her because she couldn't pay. Finally, the social worker at the hosp. got her on medical because she couldn't work anymore, so her last two weeks she was treated pretty well. Anyway, enough about that!

Onto CURRENT events! The end of error...


As to Bush's speech- buh bye! I won't be listening .bye bye

bye bye bush

Bye Bye Bush

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kelleyiskelley Posts : 11,593 Registered: 7/2/06
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 4:51 PM Go to message in response to: newsjunkie

Just saw something unreal. US Air plane with 150 passengers went down IN the Hudson River just now - and get this - everyone survived. I live on the Hudson River and me and MK were just outside with everyone else looking at this giant plane sitting in the water - unbelievable. Its all over the news if you havent seen it yet. (at least here in Jersey...) It was a plane going from LiGuardia to N.Carolina,and it took off at 3:16pm and 6min later, a flock of birds hit the engine and took out BOTH engines, and the pilot had no choice but to make an emergency landing IN the Hudson River. Normally, the passengers going into the freezing 40 degree waters like that wouldnt have survived more than 30min ... but because the crew and pilot were still on radar with the airport , the rescue boats were in the water before the plane went down, and EVERYONE is out , alive, and safe. Absolutely unreal.

Check out the Wedding Planner Buzz and My Blog @ www.myaislerunner.com

WATCH OUT "Bleight-ers".TEAM KICK-ASS (LittleRoo,Cyclist,MrsFord,OldAmy and Kelley) are going to KICK. YOUR. ASS!!!

"When you're born, you get a free ticket to the Freak Show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." - R.I.P. George Carlin

  

 

october_2006
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PharmToxGirl Posts : 5,462 Registered: 8/30/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 5:01 PM Go to message in response to: kelleyiskelley

The pilot did a helluva job! OMG He saved so many lives, and not just the ones on the plane. I know that's what they are trained to do - but still!

ptg , wtf , nwr , kittens
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luvathena Posts : 929 Registered: 12/10/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 5:04 PM Go to message in response to: kelleyiskelley

Yeah- that was crazy! I was watching it during lunch. That plane was huge! And to have all those people get plucked up and be safe. Of course the sarcastic voice in the back of my head was saying "Well, at least someone will get some use out of those floating seat cushions!" Bad- I know.

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MsDenuninani Posts : 3,963 Registered: 3/16/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 5:27 PM Go to message in response to: luvathena

luvathana, I had the same thought. . ."so did the passengers have to use their cushions as flotation devices?"


That's, like, the only thing I remember from the instructions the stewardesses give on flights.


__________________________________________
My new favorite website: www.poptimal.com

"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S. Thompson

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luvathena Posts : 929 Registered: 12/10/07
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 15, 2009 5:43 PM Go to message in response to: MsDenuninani

Oh good. Glad I'm not the only one. Just got through looking at the pics online. One had the statue of liberty in the background. Looked very surreal. All those people lined up on the side and wings of the plane. Wow. And the seat cushions were left floating in the bay. lol.

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Heidibride30 Posts : 1,201 Registered: 4/16/08
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 16, 2009 10:22 AM Go to message in response to: luvathena

All this talk of seat cushions makes me think of something George Carlin said once...
"Just what I want. To float around in the ocean on a cushion filled with beer farts." :)
Thank goodness for that pilot. I still can't believe that everyone survived. That's amazing!!!

 

new_york , september_2009
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kelleyiskelley Posts : 11,593 Registered: 7/2/06
Re: NWR Current Events Thread
Posted: Jan 16, 2009 10:38 AM Go to message in response to: Heidibride30

Gotta love a girl who quotes Carlin. Love ya Heidi!! lol.

Yeah we went outside and could see the plane sitting in the water yesterday. There was a giant crowd of people out there just starting at it. It was pretty damn cool. I love when stuff happens in NYC that we can literally see out our window like that. Just a really amazing story. Yeah MKs comment about it was "Well I guess theyre not getting their luggage back from that flight." lol. Then we were coming up with funny pilot announcements and listening to our fave radio show who had some funny ones for after landing -

"On your left, youll see an airport which is where good airlines are landing right now. Please remain in your seats until the water has risen to your torso. THank you for flying US Air."

You gotta laugh at this stuff.

Whats funny to me is that Bush gave his Farewell Speech last night and it got TOTALLY upstaged by this plane crash. lol. It wasnt even ON the news at all on two stations, and Fox put it at the very tail end of their half hour newscast which was all about the plane.

Check out the Wedding Planner Buzz and My Blog @ www.myaislerunner.com

WATCH OUT "Bleight-ers".TEAM KICK-ASS (LittleRoo,Cyclist,MrsFord,OldAmy and Kelley) are going to KICK. YOUR. ASS!!!

"When you're born, you get a free ticket to the Freak Show. When you're born in America, you get a front row seat." - R.I.P. George Carlin

  

 

october_2006 , new_york , september_2009
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