http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/2010/03/health-savings-accounts-promoting-good-health-care-consumerism.html Informing clients, Utahns, friends, and legislators about health insurance and health care. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:04:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/2010/03/health-savings-accounts-promoting-good-health-care-consumerism.html/comment-page-1#comment-65 Chris Bowerbank Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:54:56 +0000 http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/?p=42#comment-65 Thanks for your comment. I believe one of the biggest problems in our health care system is the lack of health care consumerism. Prices are not transparent, it is near impossible to compare quality amongst docs and hospitals, and our insurance policies insulate us too much from the true costs of health care. If we were to change how we pay for our health care by demanding up front pricing (except for ER--this would be impossible) and a more simple billing statement that is easy to understand (don't charge the patient for every little thing a la carte; just give the patient one price for everything). Before Medicare started in 1965, Americans paid almost 50% of all their health care expenses out of pocket and the other 50% was paid by their insurance. Health insurance was a major medical policy (like a HDHP). At that time we had more "skin in the game" so we were better health care consumers because we had more of a financial incentive be wise with our health care dollars. Many of the health insurance policies today have very low deductibles and copays. These rich plans give very little incentive to shop around. Infact, today Americans only pay about 13% of all their health care expenses out of pocket--so the insurance company is paying the other 87%. Because the insurance company is paying so much, the consumer will tend to overutilize their coverage and use it for unnecessary care which drives up the costs for everyone. The number one reason health insurance premiums rise is due to health care utilization (people over-using the health care system). If you want to get more information on this subject give me a call. You can find me on my web site--www.uthealthplans.com Thanks for your comment. I believe one of the biggest problems in our health care system is the lack of health care consumerism. Prices are not transparent, it is near impossible to compare quality amongst docs and hospitals, and our insurance policies insulate us too much from the true costs of health care. If we were to change how we pay for our health care by demanding up front pricing (except for ER–this would be impossible) and a more simple billing statement that is easy to understand (don’t charge the patient for every little thing a la carte; just give the patient one price for everything). Before Medicare started in 1965, Americans paid almost 50% of all their health care expenses out of pocket and the other 50% was paid by their insurance. Health insurance was a major medical policy (like a HDHP). At that time we had more “skin in the game” so we were better health care consumers because we had more of a financial incentive be wise with our health care dollars. Many of the health insurance policies today have very low deductibles and copays. These rich plans give very little incentive to shop around. Infact, today Americans only pay about 13% of all their health care expenses out of pocket–so the insurance company is paying the other 87%. Because the insurance company is paying so much, the consumer will tend to overutilize their coverage and use it for unnecessary care which drives up the costs for everyone. The number one reason health insurance premiums rise is due to health care utilization (people over-using the health care system). If you want to get more information on this subject give me a call. You can find me on my web site–www.uthealthplans.com

]]> http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/2010/03/health-savings-accounts-promoting-good-health-care-consumerism.html/comment-page-1#comment-63 Younge Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:36:47 +0000 http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/?p=42#comment-63 I didn't understand the concluding part of your article, could you please explain it more? I didn’t understand the concluding part of your article, could you please explain it more?

]]> http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/2010/03/health-savings-accounts-promoting-good-health-care-consumerism.html/comment-page-1#comment-33 Emma Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:14:47 +0000 http://www.uthealthplans.com/blog/?p=42#comment-33 Great ideas, great videos and great information. Keep it up! Great ideas, great videos and great information. Keep it up!

]]>