[quote=moneymaker]I’m glad I don’t have Kaiser. So seems like doctors don’t make enough money so they need a co-pay, or is it just mutually agreed between doctors and insurance companies that it is a way to improve their bottom line. I’m not saying other companies don’t gouge similarly, and I know it’s not much compared to the $400-$500 charge for that 15 minute visit, but where is the accounting? Sounds like Kaiser is on the ball, maybe because they control everything from end to end, I’m just saying I don’t think your average doctor is going to turn you down because they are not getting their co-pay, like everything in life I believe it is negotiable. Just like the insurance deductible analogy it is to keep claims down.[/quote]
The co-pay is factored in your monthly premium. You can get $0 copay (a friend of mine works for the federal government and he and his family have that kind of plan) and pay higher monthly premium, or pay $50 co-pay and have lower premium.
My company covers the cost of premium (for the entire family), but my co-pay went up from $10 to $50 over the last 10 years.
