Health Care Uncovered

Is Dental Care a Luxury?

Has dental care in America become a luxury?

Lately, I've been talking to a lot of people who don't have dental insurance and who haven't been to the dentist in who knows how long.

These are some of the same people who wouldn't miss a mammogram or other important health screening.

Why is this?

Maybe they don't know that neglecting your teeth can lead to heart disease and other serious health problems, complications in pregnancy and even death.

Last January, I was shocked to learn that a California woman's gum disease was the cause of her baby's death, after scientists linked bacteria from her gums to an infection in her baby that was full-term but stillborn.

And it's not just teeth we should worry about. How many oral cancers are not being diagnosed by not regularly visiting a dentist?

No, dental care is not a luxury. It is a life-saving necessity that demands our attention.

Find a dentist in your area today at http://www.ada.org.

Search the National Association of Dental Plans for a directory of dental insurance and discount plans in your state.

See if you and your children qualify for Medicaid in your state at http://www.cms.hhs.gov.

No more excuses. *Smile*

How Much Will Your Surgery Cost? Hospitals Can't Say

How much will your surgery cost?

If you're uninsured or have a high deductible insurance plan, you need to know.

But don't count on the hospital to tell you.

Research from "The Healthcare Blue Book Surgery Pricing Secrets: The Challenges Patients Face," shows that it is almost impossible to get prices ahead of time if a patient plans to have surgery in a hospital.

In a recent Kaiser Health News article, Paul Ginsburg, president of the Center for Studying Health System Change, said published hospital charges are "useless for consumers." 

This is why my friend Jan has traveled from the states to Thailand to have several operations over the past five years. Ask her about her experience, quality of care, and the discounted cost and you'll see her smile and say, "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

While I'm not advocating you fly across the globe, it does make my point. A growing number of Americans can't afford to have surgery in traditional hospitals.

So what should you do?

According to http://www.healthcarebluebook.com, hospitals are 4 times more costly than outpatient ambulatory surgery centers for the same procedure and they are more likely to offer a cash discount and guaranteed pricing.

Something to consider, right?

Regardless of where you have surgery, ask and compare prices.

Go with the one that can give you a competitive price with a price guarantee and take the rest to the bank.

 

Health Care Reform Reality Check

I'm all fired up!

Health care reform has begun America and I hope you're paying attention.

Keeping their promise to insure dependents under age 26 by September 2010 and those with pre-existing conditions through state high-risk insurance pools beginning July 1, 2010, yesterday, the U.S. government launched the new health insurance website, to help you "Take Health Care Into Your Own Hands."

Just choose your state from the drop-down menu, answer a few questions and wa-la, you're given a custom list of private insurance and publicly funded health care coverage options. Sounds easy.

Let's take it for a ride.

Ok. I'm a pregnant woman who lives in Colorado, aged 26-64, looking for insurance that will cover my pregnancy.

Here are my list of options:

Get a job with health insurance. That's out.

Join a high-risk insurance pool - Can't have had insurance in the last 6 months? That's out.

Find a facility that offers free or low cost care. Next.

Private insurance. Let's see what's available.

I click on the last option to find a list of insurance companies. None cover pregnancy.

I am even more outraged after I read the benefit details of insurance plans that will launch in October.

21 plans are listed for Humana Health Insurance Company - which I'm assuming will represent the practices of other major insurers - and here's what I find:

• Separate, additional deductibles for medical, prescription drug, mental health, and certain illnesses.
• High medical deductibles, as much as $30,000 for out-of-network care.
• Average 20% to 50% co-insurance after your deductible is met.
• The right to "balance bill" or collect from you what your insurance didn't pay the provider.
• Restrictive and outright ridiculous limitations and exclusions including pregnancy, well baby care, non-emergency hospital stays that occur on Friday & Saturdays, hearing & eye exams, foot care, drugs for toenail fungus, vasectomy, tubal ligation, contraceptives...you get the picture.

Premiums will be disclosed in October, but this will be the least of your worries as you "Take Health Care Into Your Own Hands."

 

What do you think? As always, I welcome your comments.