|
PureBytes Links
Trading Reference Links
|
We are in excellent health and I constantly analyze higher deductibles
against my proforma estimate of annual medical usage for everything from
annual physicals through routine visits and an allocation for prorated
serious illness/surgery. In most cases in which I have analyzed higher
deductibles and/or self insurance combined with a disaster policy, I
find that in many cases increased deductibles do not markedly reduce
costs. Disaster policies do not provide any relief from full retail
medical care and prescription costs. That's not to say that we haven't
found some niches to reduce insurance costs but it isn't easy.
I believe that the major problem is not Medicare, but no semblance of
productivity increases in the health care system. One can not beat on
the cost side forever without increasing productivity. There has been no
standardization of paperwork and the medical establishment has generally
refused to implement tools such as computer aided diagnosis which can
leverage medical knowledge in the hands of lower cost providers. This
not only does not decrease costs but it does nothing to improve
statistical analysis and quality ... benefits which would result in
decreased liability and care costs. Even simple things such as doctor
operated prescription fulfillment software is just now being adopted.
Imagine if your car mechanic still analyzed your car's engine by taking
the car out for a ride instead of using sophisticated diagnostic
equipment.
Earl
----- Original Message -----
From: "charles meyer" <chmeyer@xxxxxxxx>
To: <eadamy@xxxxxxxxxx>; <realtraders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 9:51 AM
Subject: Re: [RT] Re: Latest numbers
> Group:
>
> Yeah, my premium also increased by 40% so I am switching to
> a high deductible. Was told part of this problem is due to
> MediCare.
>
> Chas
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Earl Adamy <eadamy@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: realtraders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <realtraders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Friday, January 28, 2000 9:18 AM
> Subject: [RT] Re: Latest numbers
>
>
> >The jump in ECI benefit costs should not be a surprise to those
buying
> >their own health insurance ... I was socked with 40% increase last
year
> >followed by 44% increase this year ... switched to another plan which
> >had "only" 11% increase this year. Employers are screaming about
health
> >benefit costs. Bottom line is that the HMO/PPO/Insurance companies
> >squeezed the doctors and hospitals to cut rates, doctors and
hospitals
> >have done nothing to increase efficiency, doctors and hospitals are
now
> >pushing back. Not to mention the US prescription drug costs which are
> >rising rapidly and are the highest in the world ... I need only visit
a
> >pharmacy across the border in Mexico (or Canada for that matter) to
see
> >the extent to which US consumers are being gouged. Worse yet, the
40+%
> >of US population which can not afford healthcare and drug coverage is
> >being charged full retail prices for healthcare and drugs - 40%-100%
> >higher than the discounted prices paid by HMO/PPO/Insurance
companies.
> >
> >Earl
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Gwenael Gautier" <ggautier@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> >To: <realtraders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 6:46 AM
> >Subject: [RT] Latest numbers
> >
> >
> >> Of course todays numbers were strong, what else did we expect? This
> >was
> >> 99! Remember the Q4 stock market euphoria?
> >>
> >> I venture to think these are the peak growth numbers, from here on
> >they
> >> should cool of. However for inflation, of course this will keep
> >feeding
> >> through, I suppose. So the next numbers might be further
inflationary
> >> but less growth. Not what the Fed ordered. Maybe after we'll have a
> >50bp
> >> hike now, as time is running out to do something significant before
> >> elections get into full speed.
> >>
> >> thinking out loud
> >>
> >> Gwenn
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
|