Here are some of the worst stories I have heard, pre-Obamacare (so some things have changed, some haven't).
- A type 1 diabetic man in New Hampshire, who was an independent contractor and therefore had to buy an individual plan, shelled out $2500 per month for his premium. For his PREMIUM. $2500. Per month. Let me just state that diabetes supplies are pricey, but don't even add up to that much.
- A grad student was told that many kinds of medical devices previously classified as "durable medical equipment" were suddenly, magically, switched to be deemed "prescriptions."
- A woman who ended up in the ER after passing out was told by her insurance that she was responsible for a 20% coinsurance (that is, after reaching the deductible) because she selected a provider that was out-of-network when she was rushed in an unconscious state to the ER.
OK, two of those three examples happened to me, but that's only because this kind of topic doesn't make for good dinner party conversation.
My best coverage? Wanna guess? Was it:
a) double coverage of Kaiser Permanente?
b) BCBS plan that came with a full-time teaching position?
c) Romneycare (aka MassHealth)?
Ding ding ding! Romenycare! That's right folks. It was the most comprehensive, the lowest copays, and the most efficient service I've ever experienced. Maybe there was a reason he was for it before he was against it.1. I received mail-order supplies every month like clockwork, and the company (shout out Neighborhood Diabetes) was local, knowledgeable, and only did diabetes supplies.
2. They covered diabetes doctor visits like a champ! I went to Joslin Diabetes Center, the BEST for diabetes care and research in the country.
3. No insulin copays. Hey, the stuff is kinda life-saving and very medically necessary, and was thus covered fully. That rocked. Way better than paying $45 for it, like on other plans.
