As our Government leaders are throwing around all the ideas of Health Insurance reform, I want to ask you a couple of questions. As a licensed health insurance professional, my job is to educate my prospective clients on options that are available to them. Hoping that they feel comfortable with and find value in what I have to offer. Let me share with you some insight!
- What is the Purpose of Health Insurance to you?
- What benefits do you expect?
- What is your responsibility?
1. Purpose – The real purpose of health insurance is to transfer the risk to a company?
Based upon the sex, age, lifestyle and health conditions you currently have and the benefits you desire we can determine the cost of coverage.
Examples – Auto Insurance, Home Owners Insurance…
Do you expect your Auto Insurance to cover EVERYTHING?
Oil Changes
Gas Fill ups
Carwashes
New Tires
Wiper Blades
Pre-existing Damages
Could you imagine the cost if everything was covered? Or do you carry auto insurance to cover the unexpected accident? Just a thought!
Home owners insurance, does it cover regular maintenance, change light bulbs, cleaning out the gutters each Fall. Pay for keeping the lawn maintained? Just a thought! What would it cost to cover all of this?
2. What benefits do you really expect? – Are you willing to pay for it?
Here’s another question to think about. Why is Health Insurance a bad investment or a waste of money if you don’t collect on it? Do you get mad because nobody broke into your home or because the house didn’t burn down. NO, you carry insurance just in case something happens. But most people never think of it this way. I once asked a gentleman if he would like me to back into his car so he could collect on his auto insurance.
3. What is your responsibility?
When was the last time you took your car into the Mechanic and said this cars not running right. JUST FIX IT! No way, first question is can you give me an estimate? Most people never ask what the cost is on Health Care nor do I really need this test. How about generic drugs instead of Brand Name?
I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I get phone calls asking for quotes on Health Insurance just to find out that they have pre-existing conditions they now want covered.
Ex. Last week I received a call from a young lady that hasn’t carried coverage for some time. Now she is being told by her doctor that she needed a particular surgery. Now she wants coverage! Every couple of weeks I get a call from somebody wanting coverage for maternity. Ready for this already 6 – 8 months pregnant!
What is wrong with our thinking? Where did we go wrong? If your house is burning down and you don’t carry Home Owners insurance, do you really think you can get it RIGHT NOW?
Share this post with others, ReTweet it share it on Face Book. The bottom line is We as a group need to start taking our Health Care matters more personal. Then and only then will the costs begin to come down.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Bill, This is my first visit to your site from the Tribe and I am totally with you on this post. Wow. I have health insurance that covers me and my two children. I pay for it myself each month, and have a high deductible so the rate is low. “In Case of Emergency, Break Glass” is the way I look at health insurance. It is there to cover some horrible thing that might happen to me or the kids, nothing more or less. We approach our health the way people are supposed to: proactively! We nourish our bodies with wholesome foods, supplement accordingly, exercise, have fun together, get outside and play. We are not sitting around waiting until something bad happens and then expecting someone else to take care of our problem after the fact!
You asked what is wrong with our collective thinking? It was hijacked long ago when some policy leaders gave the masses the idea that they did not have to think for themselves anymore and everything would be “ok.”
You hit a nerve in me with this one! Great post, Bill. Americans need to wake up and take responsibility for themselves!
~Mary Lou
.-= Mary Lou Kayser´s last blog ..Why Saying Thank You Will Increase the Value of Your Personal Brand 100-Fold =-.
[Reply]
Bill Reply:
March 8th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Thank You, I do try very hard to not go on RANTING in my post. It is hard not to some times. I really get some interesting Phone Calls from people sometimes. Hope you have a wonderful week.
Bill
[Reply]
March 8th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Bill,
Great article clearing up some misconceptions about health insurance. We all need to take personal responsibility for our own health, not expect insurance to pay for every little thing after the fact.
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..The Power of YOU! =-.
[Reply]
March 8th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
It does pay to be prepared I don’t know how anyone could go without health insurance. They may think they are saving money by not having but it will eventually come back to haunt them.
.-= Glyna Humm´s last blog ..Internet Marketing and Social Networking – A Match Made in Cyber Space Heaven =-.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Thanks for putting this in perspective. I heard John Stossel talk about this exact same thing. It put’s things in perspective. Is it insurance or welfare? If it’s welfare let’s call it what it is.
Don’t even get me started on what is being jammed down our throats by so called “Representatives.”
Looking forward to learning more…especially any advice you have on Health Savings Accounts
.-= Nick Logan´s last undefined ..Response cached until Wed 10 @ 17:08 GMT (Refreshes in 23.49 Hours) =-.
[Reply]
Bill Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Nick,
Thanks for the comments. I will do a post sometime shortly regarding HSA accounts. Also known as CDHC “Consumer Diven Health Care”. The more people that have some SKIN in the game the better off we all will be.
Bill
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
You deal with issues most consumers don’t fully grasp and usually leave too late. You certainly made a strong case for careful consideration when it comes to looking after our healthcare needs. Some great points made, Bill
.-= Chris McCargar´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.
[Reply]
Bill Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Thank you Chris, Most people don’t realize that we have had a “FORM” of National Healthcare for over 40 years. If you listen to the Government they will admit that its going broke unless THEY fix it. There solutions, cut some more funding!
Bill
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Sensible arguments that unfortunately will be passe after the monster health bill is enacted.
[Reply]
Bill Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Nelson,
Truer words could never be spoken. The sad part is, they what to do all of this to provide care for approx. 32 million people. Thats was the exact number President Obama gave recently when he stated. I Quote “open optimistic that 32 million will have Health Insurance” end quote. For the cost they are talking, you could buy Better coverage than most people have. The sad part is, we all will pay a HUGH price.
Bill
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Bill!
Very important stuff Bill! We have to be covered.
Thanks for the post my friend!
Eleni
.-= Eleni Liapakis´s last blog ..If I Can Do It, So Can You! =-.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Wouldn’t it be great if you could go to the doctors office once a year and say fix me up Doc ? Or never have to brush your teeth just go to your dentist once a year!
I heard about this approach to the doctors from my accountant. She hates that all of her clients come to her once a year and want her to fix their taxes up and make them perfect.
Why did I go down that rabbit hole… dunno. I think its just funny maybe. Thanks for the info!
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
As a mother, I can’t really understand this thinking at all. I think the issue of personal responsibility is something that crosses from insurance in to all life ~ itss something that is slipping away at an alarming rate and is REALLY unsettling! What’s with people?
Thanks for bringing your passion and knowledge to this important topic, Bill!
.-= Beth Allen´s last blog ..Network Marketing is a Booming Profession! =-.
[Reply]
March 9th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
The “auto” analogy really brought this into persecutive for me. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog article. I am sending the link to several of my medical friends….
.-= Wayne S. Bell´s last blog ..SMS Marketing on local Radio Stations! =-.
[Reply]
Bill Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Wayne,
Thank you, thats exactly what I was trying to acomplish. Just get people to think about it.
Bill
[Reply]
March 10th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Bill,
Health Insurance is definitely something we need. I am a Colon Cancer survivor and I did not have insurance when I was diagnosed. It was a nightmare. I had it for a year and a half up until I lost my job and now do not have it anymore. It really does make it tough.
Thanks for sharing this post with us!
Susan
.-= Susan Davis´s last blog ..30 Day Free Trial Approach to Goal Setting =-.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Like the old saying goes bill “nobody wants insurance until something happens to them” by then of course, it’s too late.
Preparing yourself financially means taking care of the “now” and the potential “future” and insurance is part of that proper financial planning.
Thanks for the new angles to view insurance from, they were very useful.
.-= Jose H. Caraballo´s last blog ..Forget Your Why…Begin With Your Purpose! =-.
[Reply]
March 11th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
What I buy insurance for is the unexpected. I don’t buy insurance for items that I can expect and budget for such as car washes and oil changes.
What I buy insurance for is the unexpected broken arm or illness that is a surprise. Those that don’t want to by it until they need it will be the first ones to complain about pre-existing conditions.
You buy insurance when you don’t need it.
[Reply]
Bill Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Thanks Ken,
Great to see you on my Blog. Glad you added some feed back. Hope you return!
Bill
[Reply]
April 4th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Hello Bill
Thanks for this easy to understand post about Health Insurance. The self interest people in government has so confused such a simple concept as health insurance. It is people like you a licensed insurance professional that can help reform health care (reduce the cost) than anyone in government.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr.
Music City USA
Perry A Davis Jr´s last [type] ..What is the real reason people quit network marketing
[Reply]