Stupid Broker Trick: Selling a Group Plan where the Main Local Hospital is OUT of network

So, S. Mart rides his bike to work.  Everyday.

BOOM!  A car smashes into S. and he's whisked to the local emergency room by ambulance.  S. had no CHOICE as to the ER since, um, well, HE JUST GOT HIT BY A CAR!!!!!!!! 

His group insurance carrier informed him that since the hospital was Out-of-Network, he'll have to pay the difference.  (This typically doubles to quadruples your out of pocket...)

Technically, since it was an emergency, and S. had no choice, the out-of-network rates should not be applied.  In fact, the carrier did agree, and is reviewing the submitted bills from the hospital.  Good on them.

Here's the Stupid Broker Trick:  Selling a group plan where the Area's MAJOR ER was Out-of-Network.  "I'll bet it was the cheapest," interjected my friend in HR, KRE.  So, this guy made the sale, but failed to inform a rather key piece of info.

Luckily, S. is okay, and will pedaling again soon.  I wish I could say the opposite for the broker.

CIPP and Club Dues: Can't get around them... High Cost of Healtcare? That's easy...

CIPP and Club Dues: Gotta pay to play.

High Cost of Health Care: Easy to fix.

Really?

Yeppers...

Another set of culprits in the milking of Americans are the Doctors themselves. They, literally, have been setting their prices for years, and nobody's rucked over them!!!

Shift the way health care providers get paid, and you'll see a shift in health care costs. Emphasize primary care, preventive care, alternative care, and STOP feeding the specialists.

Why won't this happen? Because MDs will make less money.

Why won't the Feds allow all medical expenses and insurance premiums to be income tax deductible? Because the FEDS will make less money.

Why won't the Feds allow prescriptions to be bought from Canada? Because BIG PHARMA will make less money.

Does this mean you don't have to pay CIPP or Club Dues?

Nope.