Why Health Insurers Make Lousy Villains

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Doesn't matter what the dollar amount is cause you cannot fathom the size of the industry. It means 96.6% of total company income goes into keeping the companies running. Percentages are what statistics are meant to be.

John of AL 3:08PM January 16, 2011

They speak only in percentages, but no dollar amounts. What are they hiding?

Bob Stone of KS 1:21AM January 14, 2011

obviously this is someone who believes that health insurance companies are doing the right thing by denying people the care they need.

Fire of CA 9:06AM November 24, 2010

It does sound like you are getting screwed. I am 36, pay less than half that ($246 with a $2500 deductible and 0% co-insurance. My co-pay is $15. This is Blue Cross-NC

Anderson of NC 9:47PM November 04, 2010

A summary of the problem: "If you took all of the profits of all of the health insurers for 2009 and used them to pay the country's medical bills for 2010, it would cover the cost for..... two days? Then what?

Gregg Kennerly of VA 12:36PM October 25, 2010

Do I have the best healthcare in the world? I have a $500/month premium for my HSA PPO plan. The deductible is $6,000 and the policy has no coverage for doctor visits, maternity costs, or anything else until the deductible is paid. I am not even allowed to contribute enough to my HSA to cover the deductible.

So to summarize, $6,000 out of my pocket up front - No help with standard medical treatment like doctor office visits - No help with child birth expenses -

I have drawn $0.00 in benefits from this policy this year and I am facing a 92% premium increase to keep the same policy for the upcoming year

Sounds to me like I'm getting fu____! If this is the best in the world, then the world is in pretty sorry shape!

Poor Richard of CA 4:59PM May 06, 2010

Dear Brady in MA,

I beg to differ with your belief that insurance companies are essentially run inefficiently. I think you are confusing them with how government agenices are run. I have experience with both. As a community organizer- - No, i dont want to run for President. I am not qualified - - i left my job after 3 years because i could not stand the waste. It was unbelieable. Later, as a private sector manager for the next 15 yearss, i had to control my overhead or i could not compete price wise. Maybe the insurers dont have compete and can charge whatever they want. I shop for insurance to get the best deal for the best price . i have never had the same homeowner or auto insurance carrier for more than 2 years. I check prices, Best ratings and I get the best bang for my buck. Sure, it takes some time to do this every year. Heck, i probably spend a whole 2 hours or more doing this. Just my opinion, of course.

Billy Gibsn of FL 7:14PM April 26, 2010

Short term health insurance is designed to provide coverage on a temporary basis for new employee and resently gratuates.

HCC Medical of IN 10:45AM April 20, 2010

Just because corrupt politicians call it "Heathcare Reform" doesn't mean it is reform at all. Look at the content of the law, it is full of wasted taxpayer dollars and only adds regulations and taxes that will be passed on to consumers. I want real "reform" and not a blatant takeover of the best healthcare in the WORLD! This is "Lipstick on a Pig"

Chris of NC 6:23PM March 29, 2010

The point is not the how much profits these health insurances are making, the point is how much insurer's money they are spending. What's the percentage of insurer's money is really spent on the insurer's health.

In President Obama's new health bill, health insurance should spend at least 85% of insurer's money on medical related cost. My guess is their spending is much more than that percentage.

Brady of MA 10:12AM March 28, 2010

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Rick Newman

Rick Newman

The global economy is mysterious, even scary. Chief Business Correspondent Rick Newman connects the dots. In addition to his writing for U.S. News, Rick is the co-author of two books: Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon on 9/11, and Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.


Read Rick's latest blog entries here.

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