Health Insurance Woes

I know a few people who aren’t struggling with health insurance woes, but not many. As a middle class, middle American, mid baby boomer, I’ve noticed that what is happening with me, and those around me is usually happening to millions of others.

An artist friend has no insurance, but she puts a few hundred in savings every month. The idea is that she will use that if she ever has a serious health issue. We all know that that is a high risk solution.

A retired couple I know who aren’t yet 65, pay $1,800 a month for their health insurance policy. I can’t help but think that they could be buying a second home with that payment.

Then there’s my friend Julia who is one of the most intelligent people I know with incredible analytical skills and an advanced degree. She cannot figure out what Medicare supplemental insurance would be the best choice. She has spent hours poring over documents and websites. I can’t imagine how older Americans are navigating all of this. Many older people are not computer savvy enough to get through the Healthcare.gov mess. What about those who don’t own a computer?

I share these little scenarios because I know that you probably have similar ones. It doesn’t always come up in polite conversation, but it’s time that it does. The powerful insurance companies affect our lives in so many ways. For instance, I’ve delayed having an elective surgery that I need because my insurance won’t pay for my doctor’s facility charge. They will only pay if I go into a hospital. I can’t believe that the cost would be less. These rules make no sense.

As long as I’m in my complaining mode, I want to go on record as being furious about the insurance ads that guarantee that you won’t be cancelled. Gosh, that sounds great doesn’t it? What they don’t add is that they can increase your premium at will. One of my friends likened the insurance industry to the Gestapo. There’s no arguing with their rules.

So many had high hopes for relief with the Affordable Care Act. I suppose it’s possible that some day the glitches will all be worked out, but I don’t see it happening any time soon. One headline in today’s paper was “No Fast Fix For Insurance Cancellations.” It’s a sad state of affairs for people who had only catastrophic coverage. When I was a tour director, it was as an independent contractor, and I paid about $400 a month for that kind of coverage. That is no longer an option. Coverage must meet the ACA guidelines. Untold numbers of people who are self-employed are getting cancellation notices with no real options immediately available.

As I sit here typing this, I can barely hold my head up because I have a miserable respiratory infection with a fever and all the accessories. I have to have a written doctor’s excuse before I can return to work at my day job. I pay for the best health insurance policy my company offers, but it’s not a great help just now. Since I can’t get an appointment with my general practitioner for a week or so, I will have to go to an urgent care clinic. That will cost me $100.

Well, thanks for listening. I have to go have some miso soup, get horizonal and get well so I can get back to work. You see if I fall below 30 hours a week, I lose my health insurance.

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