Medical Insurance Rip-Off
This is clearly a reason health insurance premiums are so expensive.
A diabetic just received a order of test strips exactly like this: https://www.amazon.com/ACCU-CHEK-Aviva-Test-Strips-Count/dp/B001A66G4C?SubscriptionId=AKIAJJY2YKHHLJKYIBNA&tag=slk03b1-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001A66G4C
There are 100 test strips in a box and 4 boxes were received ...... paid by the group health insurance coverage.
The Insurance company was charged $147.50 per box.
The EXACT SAME product is sold by Amazon for $51.95 with free shipping.
WHY IS THE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?
THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY IS RIPPING OFF THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
:evil:
:twisted: :evil: :twisted:
A diabetic just received a order of test strips exactly like this: https://www.amazon.com/ACCU-CHEK-Aviva-Test-Strips-Count/dp/B001A66G4C?SubscriptionId=AKIAJJY2YKHHLJKYIBNA&tag=slk03b1-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001A66G4C
There are 100 test strips in a box and 4 boxes were received ...... paid by the group health insurance coverage.
The Insurance company was charged $147.50 per box.
The EXACT SAME product is sold by Amazon for $51.95 with free shipping.
WHY IS THE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?
THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY IS RIPPING OFF THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
:evil:
:twisted: :evil: :twisted:
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Quick&Dead wrote:This is clearly a reason health insurance premiums are so expensive.
A diabetic just received a order of test strips exactly like this: https://www.amazon.com/ACCU-CHEK-Aviva-Test-Strips-Count/dp/B001A66G4C?SubscriptionId=AKIAJJY2YKHHLJKYIBNA&tag=slk03b1-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001A66G4C
There are 100 test strips in a box and 4 boxes were received ...... paid by the group health insurance coverage.
The Insurance company was charged $147.50 per box.
The EXACT SAME product is sold by Amazon for $51.95 with free shipping.
WHY IS THE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?
THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY IS RIPPING OFF THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
:evil: :twisted: :evil: :twisted:
I agree with you Sir.
The Status Quo is simply unacceptable.
The fact that it is allowed to happen speaks volumes.
Mega Pharmaceutical, at it's best.
Unacceptable.0 -
My dad owns a small one man pharmacy, he is 89, works 6 days a week. Recently, due to demand from folks working for a local govt agency, had to place a re-order for one particular diabetes med, the re-order, to keep a supply in stock, was sent in to the wholesaler ONE day, less than 24 hrs, when that agency up and changed their prescription insurance overnight requiring the customer to now buy refills only from a certain chain. His bill, for that one drug alone, due immediately, 65K!! No returns accepted. The store has been operating continuously since 1892. He?s been there over 75 years starting out pushing a broom in the 40?s. This is very likely the end for his business. 0 -
I?ve got Tricare / Humana Military. I?m fortunate (and I know it) to have this. My prescription costs are very low. I know that since it?s military and therefore government, that they?re paying a hellova lot for my pills.
It?s amazing - costs are unreasonably high.0 -
all of them are like this,,look up medicine prices you see on TV advertisements .. my youngest has IBS ,,the med they prescribed him is $5000 a month.. He told them he would just hurt,,I take Glipzide for my Diabetes,,about $10,, My Dr was on vacation and his fill in wanted me to change to one that was $3800 a month.. I take Amalodipine for gout. Walmart co-pay was $19 out of pocket plus what they charged insurance..over the counter,,no insurance they charge $14,,thats $14 total and with goodrx it was $9.. I now get my meds in the mail every 90 days from CVS .. ZERO co-pay on any of them 0 -
Well, it runs deeper than just the pharmaceutical companies. The system is in need of repair. And it would take more than a few sentences to get started. 0 -
I am so grateful for the AWESOME coverage I have. Meds are about 40 bucks out of pocket a month. I could save a few bucks by using Express Scripts they try to foist upon me but I LIKE the local pharmacy and its helpful attitude, so I stay there. My neck surgery was 175K total out of pocket for me was 3K. My co-pay for a doctors visit is 20 bucks.
I pay $25 a week for all that coverage. I am truly blessed.0 -
How much did the insurance company actually pay and how much was written off by the seller? Big difference between charges and actual cost. That leads to one of the primary issues on the matter, truth in billing, the lack of that is. 0 -
SCOUT5 wrote:How much did the insurance company actually pay and how much was written off by the seller? Big difference between charges and actual cost. That leads to one of the primary issues on the matter, truth in billing, the lack of that is.
I am curious about that to. Most insurance companies negotiate fees and are able to do so because of volume and guaranty of payment. When I see a Blue Cross statement the amount they pay is quite a bit lower than what they are charged. Bob0 -
that's awful!ChrisStreett wrote:My dad owns a small one man pharmacy, he is 89, works 6 days a week. Recently, due to demand from folks working for a local govt agency, had to place a re-order for one particular diabetes med, the re-order, to keep a supply in stock, was sent in to the wholesaler ONE day, less than 24 hrs, when that agency up and changed their prescription insurance overnight requiring the customer to now buy refills only from a certain chain. His bill, for that one drug alone, due immediately, 65K!! No returns accepted. The store has been operating continuously since 1892. He?s been there over 75 years starting out pushing a broom in the 40?s. This is very likely the end for his business.0 -
WearyTraveler wrote:I?ve got Tricare / Humana Military. I?m fortunate (and I know it) to have this. My prescription costs are very low. I know that since it?s military and therefore government, that they?re paying a hellova lot for my pills.
It?s amazing - costs are unreasonably high.
You can bet your bottom dollar, the Fed pays far LESS than retail price.
Just got new Phonex hearing aids from the VA .. newest model that are rechargable. The audiologist said retail price would be around $5,500.00 - %6,000.00.
Possibly by mistake, he was looking something up on the computer and noticed it showed the Cost of the hearing aids at............. can you give a guess?
The cost was shown to be $809.00
Although the Federal Government is a largest purchaser of hearing aids in the United States ....... clearly the mfg is making a profit selling them for $809.00 so you can see how horribly the consumer is getting screwed when they buy the very same product for between $5,500.00 - $6,000.00 !0 -
Quick&Dead wrote:WearyTraveler wrote:I?ve got Tricare / Humana Military. I?m fortunate (and I know it) to have this. My prescription costs are very low. I know that since it?s military and therefore government, that they?re paying a hellova lot for my pills.
It?s amazing - costs are unreasonably high.
You can bet your bottom dollar, the Fed pays far LESS than retail price.
Just got new Phonex hearing aids from the VA .. newest model that are rechargable. The audiologist said retail price would be around $5,500.00 - %6,000.00.
Possibly by mistake, he was looking something up on the computer and noticed it showed the Cost of the hearing aids at............. can you give a guess?
The cost was shown to be $809.00
Although the Federal Government is a largest purchaser of hearing aids in the United States ....... clearly the mfg is making a profit selling them for $809.00 so you can see how horribly the consumer is getting screwed when they buy the very same product for between $5,500.00 - $6,000.00 !
(But) There are Members here who will (and have) argued that "this is Capitalism."
Sure it is.0 -
Crickets? 0 -
O.K. I'll bite. It is supply and demand and sometimes it ain't pretty. The problem is when an entity like the insurance companies or the government get involved. The insurance companies actually don't mind the high prices as it forces more people into signing up for insurance. The government doesn't care as they look like saviors when they pay the bill, Medicare or VA for example. Besides they control the printing presses so whats a few billion extra bucks a year? Remember it ain't their money being spent. Remember 12,000 dollar toilets and 9000 dollar hammers? Bob 0 -
Quick&Dead wrote:
The cost was shown to be $809.00
Although the Federal Government is a largest purchaser of hearing aids in the United States ....... clearly the mfg is making a profit selling them for $809.00 so you can see how horribly the consumer is getting screwed when they buy the very same product for between $5,500.00 - $6,000.00 !
I went without hearing aids for years. My work med ins didn?t cover them. Then I heard that the audio clinic at the VA would provide them at govt cost. I went for the tests and paid around $700 for a pair. Even paid the few dollars more for the little device that connected Bluetooth to my phone. I was in heaven and was able to hear much better for the first time in years.0 -
Yes, it IS capitalism. A specific kind ---- crony capitalism.
The folks who run the US military (the same ones whose pay was frozen by the Bushes, Obama, & Trump) have done a great job getting discounts on medicine & "durable medical equipment" for > 40 year.
In the early 2000s, Medicare tried to negotiate the same discounts for those receiving Medicare (& those whose medical benefits are pegged to Medicare). In 2000, Congress passed a law making it ILLEGAL for the government to negotiate discounts on behalf of those on Medicare. In return, many members of Congress received generous contributions to their campaign funds, most in the range of $100,000.
Supporters of Pharma continue to benefit from contributions, although they are hard to track. There is still no subcommittee of Congress working on reducing medical expenses. MY senator (Elijah Cummings, D) is sure not working on it. Maxine Waters isn't working on it, either. They are among those whose personal wealth has increased dramatically during their time in Congress.
Neal0 -
TRELLGY here in the US $1637.00
Canada $137.0 -
jwb267 wrote:TRELLGY here in the US $1637.00
Canada $137.
Yes, as others here have alluded to and posted to that effect, the United States should bear the brunt of this "research," taking place.
Not.0 -
Costs a lot of money to keep congress bought off and screwing us/US over 0 -
I don?t consider it real ?capitalism? if you?re not provided an option. Big pharma has no real competition.Barzillia wrote:By "ripping off" you appear to be claiming that profits from a capitalist enterprise can somehow be immoral.
Interesting.
Your choice now is pay high costs or don?t take the meds. It?d be more like capitalism if there were competition and the consumer could shop around.0 -
Sorry to hear that, curious is his store in Baltimore? My Great Uncle Abraham O. Pilson operated a Pharmacy out of Baltimore DC area for years from the 1800's into the early 1900's. ChrisStreett wrote:My dad owns a small one man pharmacy, he is 89, works 6 days a week. Recently, due to demand from folks working for a local govt agency, had to place a re-order for one particular diabetes med, the re-order, to keep a supply in stock, was sent in to the wholesaler ONE day, less than 24 hrs, when that agency up and changed their prescription insurance overnight requiring the customer to now buy refills only from a certain chain. His bill, for that one drug alone, due immediately, 65K!! No returns accepted. The store has been operating continuously since 1892. He?s been there over 75 years starting out pushing a broom in the 40?s. This is very likely the end for his business.0 -
medical supplier tried to get me to buy an inhaler(changed brands on my prescrription) for $250 each(1 month) ...told them to cancel that i could not afford (would not) that...two months later they announce a generic and would sell me 3(3 months) for $68 my cost after meeting my yearly prescription premium....they just came in the mail.....thanx to wife (retired RN-ARNP) to sort this krap out 0 -
Mogley...his store is about 40 miles north of Balto in Harford County. Small mom and pop establishments like his have all been about steamrolled out of business by the big chains. Damn shame, well over 100 years of continuous operation is winding down fast. Personal services provided as provided by small business are all but gone. (He?ll still deliver, open up in the middle of the night or go in on a Sunday if a customer needs help.) 0 -
Barzillia wrote:WearyTraveler wrote:
I don?t consider it real ?capitalism? if you?re not provided an option. Big pharma has no real competition.Barzillia wrote:By "ripping off" you appear to be claiming that profits from a capitalist enterprise can somehow be immoral.
Interesting.
Your choice now is pay high costs or don?t take the meds. It?d be more like capitalism if there were competition and the consumer could shop around.
Those may or may not be your choices, but there is no particular barrier to pharmaceutical production of most medications.
Start a company, meet minimum safety standards, sell to whomever you want.
A rather clear example of capitalism.
Can't pay to purchase the product ?
That has nothing to do with capitalism.
Want something that you can't pay for ?
I hear Bernie Sanders' campaign is looking for volunteers........
Where I disagree is that there?s no competition for the name brand drugs. Sure, you can start your own company. But if you can?t make the drugs because big pharma holds the patent, then you?re not really a competitor. Big pharma can still charge whatever it wants.
Now, if you aren?t limited by patent (or whatever) and create your own company to compete, then yes, capitalism works (as long as you don?t collude with them to price fix). I?m guessing that?s why generics are more reasonably priced than the new stuff...0 -
Maybe the U.S. should think about copying the German system, tweak it a little and make it even better. Half a dozen major health insurance companies all working under the same system. Capitalism comes into play when insurance companies compete for customers. You pay a percentage of your paycheck, welfare or whatever income you have. Co-pays are minimal, three months worth of meds costs me $12, basically a stocking fee. The downside is Doctors don't get paid nearly as well as they do in the U.S. Pharma has to compete for buyers, the insurance companies, Hospitals. The Germans are capitalists who deplore usuary, not exactly socialists but not exactly Capitalists, pragmatists. Hospitals are good, care is quick and apparently good if you compare life expectancy by country. Insurance companies are doing well, they have buildings right next to the banks. Pharma is doing well, some of the biggest Pharma companies are in Germany. Insurance payments are reasonable and way lower than many people pay in the U.S.
If you make more than $70,000 a year you can opt out of the standard system and get some extra perks.
One reason I staid in Germany, the cost of living is high, but my youngest son is diabetic and insurance pays for it all. What it costs total for insurance for a year in Germany would just cover the insulin costs in the U.S. if he could find a company to take him.
The Germans seem to have figured out a functional affordable system. The health costs for Germany per capita is half of the U.S. cost and statistically, you live a few years longer. Of course, after the U.S. politicians get through with it, it would be totally FUBAR.0 -
Barzillia wrote:Quick&Dead wrote:This is clearly a reason health insurance premiums are so expensive.
A diabetic just received a order of test strips exactly like this: https://www.amazon.com/ACCU-CHEK-Aviva-Test-Strips-Count/dp/B001A66G4C?SubscriptionId=AKIAJJY2YKHHLJKYIBNA&tag=slk03b1-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001A66G4C
There are 100 test strips in a box and 4 boxes were received ...... paid by the group health insurance coverage.
The Insurance company was charged $147.50 per box.
The EXACT SAME product is sold by Amazon for $51.95 with free shipping.
WHY IS THE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?
THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY IS RIPPING OFF THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
:evil: :twisted: :evil: :twisted:
By "ripping off" you appear to be claiming that profits from a capitalist enterprise can somehow be immoral.
Interesting.
Clearly, you jest.
Any intelligent person is well aware there is a huge difference between making an honest profit and ripping off the consumer.0 -
Barzillia wrote:So just how much profit is acceptable to you and AOC ?
Where in the rules of capitalism do you find that number ?
Is it a part of the Democratic party platform ?
Don't you dare put me in the same catagory as AOC. That is the ultimate insult even from someone with your reputation.
You fail to understand for the most part, the medical industry does not participate in the 'free market.'
It is a controlled market with companies engaged in "price fixing" and nothing is done due to the huge contributions (payoffs) to elected officials of both parties. If such were not a fact, explain why drugs made in the USA and shipped to Canada are far cheaper, the same with drugs sold in Mexico including medical services?
Simply follow the money.0 -
Barzillia wrote:So just how much profit is acceptable to you and AOC ?
Where in the rules of capitalism do you find that number ?
Is it a part of the Democratic party platform ?
A large part of managing large amounts of cash is called conservation of wealth. Basically, it is staying ahead of the depreciation of your assets. An acceptable formula could be devised, better management would help.
One of the big lies is removing price controls and regulation will lower costs, while at the same time mandating publically held companies maximize profits. Doing both simultaneously just isn't possible. And believing market competition will control the prices assumes a stable market. The only real way to control the prices is to manage profit (caps) and to streamline distribution. Every time a product changes hands there is a markup. There is more to it, but these are some of the basics.
If you deregulate you are inviting management to ignore infrastructure and milk a company to death, file bankruptcy. maybe change the name of the company, take out new loans and repeat. I remember when they deregulated the energy sector in California, it used to be state-run due to WW2, they eventually parceled out parts of the pie, does Enron ring a bell? California, some other states and the shareholders got stuck holding the bag and a large part of the debt of the state is a leftover from that fiasco nearly twenty years later.
Used to be utilities were one of the safest places to stick your money, back when they were wartime regulated and for a while after. Deregulation sure didn't lower prices or enhance distribution like promised.
I'm not advocating anything just saying it may not be as simple as it seems.0 -
Hessian ...... we all know what happened when the Feds broke up the Bell Telephone system. 0 -
It does bug the %@*@^(&@# out of me how much more we pay here in the US for the exact same medication. I realize a little of it very well could be malpractice costs, but I am sure that is not all of it.
As a person that has lived with a lot of medical issues for over half my life (starting before my 24th birthday), I soooooooo wish we had what I'll call sponsored healthcare for lack of better terms. Where, everything was in the open. You pay a flat fee, as does everyone else. No cuts for this person or that business. In reality, that borderlines socialist healthcare. But, I digress. I would love to have a predictable, budget-able amount that I knew I would have to pay each month, and get the care I need. However, then I think of going to the DMV, or USPS, or about any other government entity I can think of and think of the quality of care one would receive. I could imagine sitting in the lobby for 12 hours in serious pain while all the workers are in the back talking around the water cooler while only one person is actually working (you know, like those other named entities above).
Speaking of opiates, it is turning the way much like firearms. People who have never needed/used them are making new anti-abuse laws that are idiotic at best. They put artificial caps on the amount which now have me to a level lower than I was ~15 years ago. I didn't get better during that time. In fact, I have also now been diagnosed with R.A., Degenerative Disk Disease, and Schmorrels (sp) Node. The doctor says he will likely have to reduce them further as I am still above the limit. What they will likely have done, is take a productive member of society and instead force them onto disability instead because I am barely able to handle the upright time of work plus commute each day. I do very little else during the week and instead of relaxing and having fun on the weekend, I have to do what my body couldn't handle to do during the week. I ended up getting arrested in KS because I ran a stop sign at 2am (didn't see it) in a small town. It would have just been a traffic violation. But, likely because the time of day and I was from out of state, they gave me a breathalyzer test. I blew a 0.00. But, they still hauled me in and drew blood. They have laws there where it is a DUI if you are using opiates regardless of whether they are prescribed or not. So, I was charged. Mind you, I had not had ANY at-fault accidents since I started taking those medications and ZERO driving infractions since 1996 in spite of being on the medication the whole time during that 20 year plus time. This is what others not using but rather abusing this medication has caused. Just like our gun laws, a few people abuse it and the laws affect the millions using them lawfully but those abusing will still continue to do so.
Personal thoughts aside, I'd love to see congress be forced to the following things. I bet we would see positive change in a hurry!
2 Term limit
All laws made also pertain to them
Retirement / pension plans are the same as available to everyone else
Security only provided for a short period of time after leaving office; length depending on level (President gets longer than Congress for instance)
Medical coverage is the same as everyone else. During their term, they have insurance similar to the average plan after that, they find their own, just like every one else. Let them pay for COBRA insurance...
Sorry for the rant, but my life has been mostly dictated by my medical issues so this topic is close to heart for me.0 -
Barzillia wrote:Quick&Dead wrote:Barzillia wrote:So just how much profit is acceptable to you and AOC ?
Where in the rules of capitalism do you find that number ?
Is it a part of the Democratic party platform ?
Don't you dare put me in the same catagory as AOC. That is the ultimate insult even from someone with your reputation.
You fail to understand for the most part, the medical industry does not participate in the 'free market.'
It is a controlled market with companies engaged in "price fixing" and nothing is done due to the huge contributions (payoffs) to elected officials of both parties. If such were not a fact, explain why drugs made in the USA and shipped to Canada are far cheaper, the same with drugs sold in Mexico including medical services?
Simply follow the money.
And so the difference in your desire to limit "excessive" corporate profits differs how, from AOC ?
And please spare the theatrics.
I have very high confidence any response would be incomprehensible for you so will refrain in egging your ego0
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