I don't know about you, but I hope all the Armani-clad zillion-dollar-a-year health-care CEOs are squirming in their $1,000 leather office chairs while Michael Moore's “Sicko” hits theater screens this week. I haven't seen Moore's film about our much-flawed health-care system yet, but I, for one, believe it's way overdue.
Like any industry, the health-care business is all about the Benjamins. In a moment, I will offer my simple prescription for taking America's sicko health-care system off life support.
If I sound a little peeved at our lack of affordable, available health care, I am. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll share a couple personal examples of why I believe Moore needed to make this film.
Just recently, my monthly co-pay for the cholesterol-fighting drug Lipitor increased by 150 percent. I don't care whose fault that is. One hundred fifty percent increases are criminal. Within seconds, I was on the phone to my primary care physician. He prescribed Simvastatin, the generic replacement for the Pfizer pill. My co-pay returned to $10. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the meteoric rise in prescription costs. Moore's film claims there are four health-care industry lobbyists for every member of Congress. Somebody has to feed their babies.
This next example is even better. Early last year, I had to pay $5,000 cash up front for a surgical procedure, since the surgeon I elected to use was out of my health-care network. In fact, he doesn't even accept managed care plans. But, since he's the top guy in his field, I felt the investment was worth it, knowing I was entitled to a partial reimbursement from my health-care provider afterward.
Weeks after the operation, I submitted a request for reimbursement, using the specified forms provided. I waited. And waited. And waited. Nothing.
Just so happens, I have a friend whose job is dealing with insurance payments for her doctor's office. She offered to look into why I wasn't receiving some money back. She knew how to navigate the system, which buttons to push. She knew who to ask for. Nearly a year after filing my original claim, a check for $1,400 showed up in my mailbox. Without my friend, I'd be just another American getting ripped off because of an insurance system that is convoluted and, in my opinion, deliberately burdensome.
Memo to those looking for a new career: Become a billing advocate for those of us hopelessly confused by today's insurance procedures. You'll make a fortune.
In all fairness to the “system,” we consumers need to take accountability by staying healthy. The fix? Eat well. Exercise. Doctors, how about taking down those clocks and posters in your office sponsored by the drug companies? They're insulting to hard-working Americans. Can you replace your Viagra wall clock with one sponsored by the broccoli growers industry instead? Throw out your Ambien pens, and use pens from the American Heart Association.
|
