Why did health insurance prices double in the last 5 years and not car insurance?
470034
Yeah... it's getting to the point where the majority of America won't be able to go to the doctor, because they can't afford insurance or the deductable, if they have insurance. \n\nI think it all comes down to... how much are you willing to pay to stay alive.. the answer is anything, so how does a capitolistic system work when you will pay anything for the service... it doesn't work... \n\nthe healthcare companies (both medical, insurance, both malpractice and health, and perscription companies) are all making huge profits... if you know anyone in the business, they are probably making more than most everyone else you know...\n\nWhen does the bubble bust... I think it will soon... especially if costs continue to go up like they have been.
625940
It's technically not insurance, but "ensurance". It is not regulated as strictly as the actual insurance industry.
896608
I work for an Insurance Company, we have a percentage of premiums set to go pay hospital costs and that is over 80%. The more the drug companys, hospitals, doctors charge the more healthcare will cost.
13474
The rule is that your aunt's social security check cannot be reduced on a net basis from the prior year, but if her social security increase is greater than the increase in the medicare premium, then her medicare premium can be increased.  The problem lately has been that medical inflation has exceeded the inflation in ordinary prices.  It is likely that she is fixed in income for the rest of her life given the disparity between medical inflation and consumer inflation on which social security is based.  I doubt she will see a net pay increase ever again, based upon the numbers and barring real health care reform.\n\nWhile that looks like a lot, although I am just guestimating, I have recently reviewed employee health coverages.  I suspect the average 82 year old should be paying a monthly premium well in excess of $500 per month.  Her health care costs are being heavily subsidized by workers, taxpayers and future taxpayers.  It sounds like an enormous amount, but it is well below her cost to the system unless she is in very good health.  Medicare is an insurance policy just like any other, except that the beneficiaries do not always have to pay their full share of the premium.
244227
There are many companies out there who specialize in affordable health insurance. Mega Life, Midwest and United American Insurance all offer affordable policies. These policies do not offer comprehensive coverage that you would find in group policies instead they offer a specified benefit amount thereby making them more affordable. Ask the agent when the last rate increase was, and what the deductibles are to make sure you get the best plan for you.
154144
in these times, everyone is looking for health insurance. if you can offer someone a better deal, they will listen.\n\ni sure would.
161097
Increased patient load. The population in the U.S. is getting older, and there is a shortfall in physicians, nurses etc. Insurance company interferrence, decreased compensation from said insurance companies. There is a divide in access to healthcare. Those without insurance come into the hospital system often much later in the disease process.
537019
I have medical health and dental insurance now but not always. I think that I get better treatment and have more options available to me by having insurance. I also think that it depends on how good your insurance is too. If you have crappy health insurance that doesn't cover much then you may as well not have insurance at all. It is a big game with the providers and they are all in it for the money. Some insurance companies bargain with health care facilities and will only pay a certain amount where as some insurance will cover at 100%. Which person do you think they'll kick out of the hospital faster? The one that either can't afford it or they are making little money OR the one that they are getting their whole costs paid?\nSad but true. Scandalous actually but this has been an issue for years. The cost of insurance keeps rising because people that don't have insurance usually don't pay their bills or can't pay them in a timely manner so the person who can afford insurance ends up paying for it with higher premiums or deductibles,etc...
258861
You pay $300-400 a month for insurance just to pay another $20 to go to the doctor, instead of just paying $50 to go to the doctor in the first place.  The funny thing is that people actually buy this insurance, when they can put that money away and be better off in the long run.\n\nHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
667948
Over 50% of America doesn't have any health care, and that is why it cost so much. That is what the providers want in order to keep the cost's up just like the gasoline is going up. They call that an open market. I call it I don't have any health insurance.
932923
get over it. This is why health care is so damn expensive, they all have to pay insurance against frivolous and stupid law suits.  grow up and stop looking for an easy buck.
827128
It is about "Risk" as you know Insurance is a business "pure and simple".  Your company has "Loaded" rates, this means that someone in your company probably has a health problem that has cost your companies plan to spend thousands if not millions in paying out claims.  Every  single policy has a "Ratio" or profit margin to it.  What this means quite simply is that your companies plan is expensive because the fact that someone or several people are utilizing the plan.  When you purchase Individual or Family plans, you are Underwritten Individually based on your medical condition.  I will give you an example:\na. Sarah aged 40 applies for health Insurance she takes no medication is 5ft 9inches tall weighs in at 140lbs, has no health conditions, and at her last physical the doctor gave her a perfect bill of health.  She is offered a Tier 1 rate (lowest prices)\nb. James aged 40 applies for health Insurance he takes medication for High Blood pressure, is 6ft. 250lbs doctor said at his last physical that his cholesterol is too high and has prescripted a medication to lower it.  He is offered tier 4 rates and is asked to pay 150% high premium than Sarah.\nc. Group Insurance: If I try to get my wife coverage in my group, the rates are based on the health condition of my group.  We call it a RAF in the business "Rate Adjustment Factor" , this is based on claims usage throughout the previous year.  I hope this helps to understand how it works.
1009140
Your focus should be on what if with all this traveling, being overweight, getting older etc, you die.  Is your family taken care of the way that you would want them taken care of?  If you have a new baby, the death benefit is more important than the premium.  Otherwise, it does not make sense to get the insurance at all.  If you think that your risk factors will improve, then you should get a 5 year term now and when the factors change, then get a longer term.  Work with a broker that represents all of the major companies.
368463
Well, the situation is... in the U.S. if you're rich, you can afford insurance and medical care... in Canada, everyone gets it but not on their schedule... so rich Canadians come here to get it on their schedule...\nSo... I look at the census... the median household income for America is approx. $40,000, so that's half of America making $40,000 or less a year. If your household is making $40,000, (probably  a two income household, with two people making on average $20,000 each)you probably can't afford even a small procedure to be performed and if you get a procedure, you'll be in debt for at least a couple of years (not to mention the costs of medication), and that's if you're insured. (Also according to the census, 32 percent of Americans don't have medical insurance).\nWhat I'm saying is, according to these numbers, over half of America clearly can not take advantage (without severe financial penalty) of the American healthcare system as it stands, and thats a sad state to be in. \nAnd it's getting worse as insurance goes up 5+ percent a year (for the past few years) and wages are barely rising at all. \nSo, if you're rich, you probably like it, if you're not... you probably don't.. but there are more poor pepole than rich, so hopefully we can get some changes.
125604
I am a consultant who earns $75 an hour and have not had insurance for years.  It is not an issue to me.  The issue of the next election should be centered around governments interference in our lives.  Smaller government, less taxes & obliteration of family court.
1132628
The short answer is $173 for an individual health insurance policy for a single person, according to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Of course, premiums depend on what kind of plan you have, where you live, your age and sex, medical history, and other factors. For example, another KFF study found that a 25-year old would spend $57 a month for a HMO policy while a 60-year old would spend $205 for an identical policy. A few states do not allow health insurance companies to charge more based on age. And the average monthly premium in California is about $211 – about $40 dollars above the national average, according to California Healthcare Foundation. Moreover, some medical conditions can increase premiums by 20 to 80 percent.\n\nMostChoice.com has a free and easy way to find out all about health insurance. You can get free policy descriptions and pricing estimates through the site. More importantly, you can talk with state-licensed insurance agents near you. You just fill out a short form and local agents contact you within 48 hours. It’s a stress-free way to shop for health insurance and a great way to find out answers to tough health insurance questions.\n\nYou can find it here: http://www.mostchoice.com/health-insurance.cfm\n\nGood luck,\n\nBarnes@MostChoice.com
631253
In many cases unions have outlived their usefulness.\nI have seen unions pressure corporations into bankruptcy.  One of the reasons so much manufacturing has left this country is that unions forced such high labor rates that they "protected" their members right out of their jobs.  Job security should be based only on performance and the laws of economics not artificial controls.\n\nP.S. Do you know how many thousands of dollars of the price of a new automobile is the direct result of the cost of health insurance and retirement for workers?