MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
I 100% disagree with your 1st statement, but also 100% agree with the second.
My healthcare through my employer is not paid for by a 3rd party. It is a benefit that I choose from a list of options. One of which being, "None.". Our company gives us a certain number of credits based on salary that we can apply to our benefits. If I choose to opt out of the company provided healthcare, those credits will be paid to me thought the year in my pay check. I chose a plan, so I pay for it with those credits. Our company uses a total target compensating system so when we offer a position to a person we spell out how much of their compensation is actual salary and the number of credits that they get it for other benefits. Some of the alternatives to health care that I could have chosen would be things like long term disability at a higher percentage of my pay, extra weeks of vacation, etc... I get regular physicals and have no underlying concerns at the moment, so I chose a plan with a $3K out of pocket limit. If I don't get sick, I pretty much end up paying for everything myself (actually an 80/20 split) their negotiated rates. I'm single, so the company puts $1500 in my HSA every year. I contribute another $50 to it every month because my ex wife had some major surgeries before we divorced and the balance was low. My surgery last October was slightly over $11k after the plan negotiated discounts. My portion was $3k. All came out of my HSA, so the impact to my regular cash flow was zero. The company is really not paying for it, I paid for it, but I get the benefit of being in the risk pool that the company belongs to, which lowers the rate. There were other plans that pay out a lot more, but I might actually have to contribute some money every paycheck to buy them. This arrangement in no way impedes anyone else's ability to get Health Care at a reasonable cost and is not part of the problem.
They really need to allow insurance companies to offer their services across state lines oh, so that no areas end up with only one choice as described above. Eliminating the monopolies is the way to drive the prices down.
Back on track for this thread are silly Governor has implemented the mask mandate for everywhere that social distancing is not possible. I needed to get out last night so I took a little ride around town and noticed that a lot of places had people drinking and dining outside. I noticed that the employees were wearing masks, but not most of the patrons even though they were less than 6 feet apart. It appears that folks are taking it literally and saying I don't have to wear a mask here because social distancing is possible. They are just not doing it. Unreal.
You disagree that letting consumers pick and pay for the plan would not make insurers and providers step up in cost and service? You have the type of plan I said would help. I think we agree but you are fearful politicians will not give you the break promised when all is done. A deserved concern they have earned...