Repeating a Request from Richard: I, too, need a huge favor from the Pet Talk Petizens.

[phesina]

I've gotten a physical exam every year for I don't even remember how long.. forever. There was never any question that it was covered by whatever insurance I had at the time.

A couple of months ago I got a bill for $180 from my primary-care doctor's office. I called them to find out just what that was for. I was told they didn't know and I had to check with the billing company. (And how weird is THAT? but I digress..)

So I called them and was told it was for the physical exam I'd had a couple of months before.. neither Medicare nor my Medicare-supplement insurance cover routine physicals now.

In other words, preventive care is no longer on the menu.

[sasvermont]

I've gotten a physical exam every year for I don't even remember how long.. forever. There was never any question that it was covered by whatever insurance I had at the time.

A couple of months ago I got a bill for $180 from my primary-care doctor's office. I called them to find out just what that was for. I was told they didn't know and I had to check with the billing company. (And how weird is THAT? but I digress..)

So I called them and was told it was for the physical exam I'd had a couple of months before.. neither Medicare nor my Medicare-supplement insurance cover routine physicals now.

In other words, preventive care is no longer on the menu.

Just to be sure my visit is covered, I usually add a "can you look at my throat, it's been sore lately" so that the visit is a "sick visit" and then we do the other tests etc. I go every other year for just a checkup but end up in their offices between times for other things. This year, I have had so many issues, and every test available to mankind, I won't need to go through the annual visit.

Insurance companies and health care providers are always at odds about what is covered and what it not. I find it so odd that the insurance industry is run the way it is. Here in Vermont, we have great programs for people on fixed incomes or little to no income, where you pay based on your income, not on your worth, but INCOME. There are standard programs through employers etc. but if you don't have insurance via your employer, you can buy it through the state and it turns out to be much, much better than when I bought it through my employers. Go figure. Vermont is a great place to live (so far) if you have health insurance issues. And it is not Medicaid... just a subsidy via the state, for those who qualify. Anyone can sign up for it. It's called Catamount Health Insurance with Blue Cross of Vermont.

Wanna move to VT?

[phesina]

My gosh.. Vermont, here we come!

[Edwina's Secretary]

Insurance companies and health care providers are always at odds about what is covered and what it not. I find it so odd that the insurance industry is run the way it is. Here in Vermont, we have great programs for people on fixed incomes or little to no income, where you pay based on your income, not on your worth, but INCOME. There are standard programs through employers etc. but if you don't have insurance via your employer, you can buy it through the state and it turns out to be much, much better than when I bought it through my employers. Go figure. Vermont is a great place to live (so far) if you have health insurance issues. And it is not Medicaid... just a subsidy via the state, for those who qualify. Anyone can sign up for it. It's called Catamount Health Insurance with Blue Cross of Vermont.

Wanna move to VT?

Yes, I do! What people need to understand is that insurance companies do not make money by paying claims...they make money by NOT paying claims. I admit I am passionate about this topic. But I work with it and live it every day. Recently I needed eye drops. The doctor told me it would be expensive. Still...I was not prepared for....hold your hat...$336.00...for a tiny bottle. I said "no thanks." I thought about it and called back. They had "overlooked" that I have insurance. Now it is $34.00. That is morally wrong. The insurance companies and the drug companies... So if I cannot afford insurance it is $336.00...if I can afford insurance it is $34.00. We cannot continue with the screwed up system we have!