[quote=FlyerInHi]BG, cares what your situation is? You say that money talks but, in the same breathe, you seem to want a Cadillac plan that covers everything you could want.
We already know that money always talks. That’s not the point of the policy discussion.
People in Europe and Canada who are rich could always pay out of pocket for the very best care. Same here, with or without obamacare.
One problem with our health system is that in many cases, we provide too much care for the level of payment, so some people get too much and millions go without.[/quote]
Flyer, LOTS of people regularly travel. I’m simply using myself for an example, because I am frequently in outlying or rural areas. A “Cadillac Plan” would be an “indemnity plan” which has very low deductibles, very low co-pays, provide low-cost brand-name drugs and possibly also provide a nurse by your side when flying you to MD Anderson/Johns Hopkins at whim. That is NOT the plan I am seeking, nor can I afford such a policy. I will sign up for a PPO with the biggest network I can find that is present in the places I visit. I don’t agree with your (emphasized) statement, above. Perhaps you are referring to some emergency rooms currently providing “charity” care to non-paying patients (which will supposedly cease come 2014, assuming everyone signs up for a plan). But people who have HMO or PPO plans never have had and can’t now have “everything (they) could want.”
The only ones who likely can have “everything they could want” are “Cadillac” (indemnity) policyholders and those paying all cash for care.
The rest of us poor slobs now have to “work the system” to the best of our ability with the “mass-produced” plans offered by our employers or on the exchanges.
It was actually scaredy who, in essence, brought up the “money talks” issue. He is right. Money (cash/reimbursement level) will still talk to healthcare providers in 2014 and beyond. The issue will just be presented a little differently. The NAME of your carrier and the TYPE of your plan will speak for you. As before, your insurance card will your calling card in the game of medical services procurement.
I don’t see “level of care” being exactly equal among exchange planholders. Medi-Cal/Medicaid recipients will have their own plan administrators who may also administer one or more of the lowest-cost “Bronze” or “Enhanced Silver” plans.
In other words, the poor and indigent will receive care, Medi-Cal will be expanded to include more of the poor and working poor but I don’t see these groups receiving the same level of care (or choice) as those purchasing Gold or Platinum Plans.
