A recent article was published stating that a poll by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions found that a vast majority of enrollees in plans through Health Insurance Exchanges (aka Affordable Care Act or Obamacare exchanges) were not happy with their insurance.
My first thought upon reading the title was, “if they didn’t have an agent to guide them, they may have picked the cheapest plan rather than a plan that may fit the needs, which could be the reason for being unhappy with their plan.”
As I continued to read, one of the biggest factors with the unhappiness was the out-of-pocket cost.
The article went on to state that respondents felt that the maximum out-of-pocket of $6,600 may as well be $600,000 as they would not be able to pay it.
My next thought was, “without health insurance, they could have a large bill as I did when my husband refused to get an insurance plan (three years ago) and we ended up with a $20,000 bill when he went to emergency due to sever appendicitis.” The bill could have been more if we had waited and his appendix would have burst inside of him. He may have been in the hospital longer
At any rate, we were able to negotiate the total and got on payment plans. I feel as though we have a car payment, for now.
I think it has to do with education and perspective. I have clients that are on dialysis or with cancer. Although the $6,600 is a lot for their income, they still understand that it is much better to be on a payment plan for that amount, than the alternative of hundreds of thousands of dollars that they know they cannot pay.
As a person and as an agent, I do see that the cap of the maximum out-of-pocket is a positive versus the ability for insurance companies to max out coverages, have unlimited out-of-pocket expenses, and having been able to refuse insurance to many with pre-existing conditions.
I do not discount that having to pay for services can be difficult. After all, having a $450 bill for 4 x-rays was uncomfortable for me, but I knew that it was necessary to have the x-rays to ensure that I did not have further problems in the future due to a fracture.
Sometimes, the consumer/member may just need to know their options of negotiating, getting on payment plans, and seeking out organizations that help those that are struggling to pay their medical costs.
If you know somebody that needs guidance, have them contact their agent, an agent, or a local community partner that supports those that need healthcare assistance.
Nobody should be unhappy with their insurance. And, if they are, they need to change the plan to suit their needs. After all, if we do not have our health, we will not be able to do anything to help others.
What's your opinion?