The Final word on Health Insurance

[FarleyBoxer]

Leah, I think this decision resonates with anyone who even has insurance on themselves! I of course pay out each month, from my paycheck, for my health and dental insurance, even though I make one yearly visit to the doctor that costs maybe a couple hundred bucks.

The thing about insurance is not that it necessarily saves you money, but that it gives you a safety net in case something happens. It's definitely a racket, but there's no way around it!

I agree with Chris Rock: Insurance is in case s**t happens, right? So if s**t doesn't happen, shouldn't you get your money back?!

Camille

 

[coveyjt]

The July 2003 consumer reports had an article on this. It stated:

They created "Lucky" an Oakland, CA, Labrador and gave him some of the most common problems and calculated the benefits that a selection of policies would pay and the premiums the owner would bear over 11 years.

Common Ailments:
"Lucky" had 9 claims over 11 years totaling $3,301 paid directly to a vet.

With insurance (cost includes co-payments, deductibles, and premiums)


VPI Standard's cost of care was $3,852 so the extra costs were $551

VPI Superior's cost of care was $4,903 so the extra costs were $1,602

Pet Care's Gold cost of care was $4,707 so the extra costs were $1,406

Pet Care's Quickcare
Gold double benefits cost of care was $6,681 so the extra costs were $3,380


Major Problems:

If "Lucky" had problems above plus needed major surgery such as hip replacement, the total cost would have been $10,414 paid directly to a vet.

With insurance (cost includes co-payments, deductibles, and premiums)

Pet Care's Quickcare
Gold double benefits cost of care was $7,794 so the savings were $2,620

Pet Care Gold's cost of care was $8,820 so the savings were $1,594

VPI Standard's cost of care was $10,965 so the extra costs were $551

VPI Superior's cost of care was $12,016 so the extra costs were $1,602





Bottom line, they suggested starting a savings account and don't use it for routine visits. Budget those in with your household budget.

 

[Jones]

I just signed up with VPI...funny thing...I got a message from them saying that I need to wait 6 months after Jones stops all his meds relating to his illness before they will accept him into their plan. He is going to be on meds for the next 2-3 months.....so it looks like he won't get health insurance until 9 months from now...what is that, March 2005????

Wow. Stinks.