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September 10, 2009 at 5:28 pm #592257
maplesyrupParticipantWhy is it so bad to allow insurance companies to sell across state lines?
September 10, 2009 at 6:02 pm #676918
JanSParticipantI would assume because each state has different insurance laws? Massage is a mandated coverage on health insurance in WA State, but not so in other states, for instance. So a policy sold here might not comply with the laws of Oregon, etc. Perhaps other people know other reasons?
September 10, 2009 at 7:13 pm #676919
JoBParticipantJanS..
that is it exactly.
if the policy you buy in Washington is sold by a company licensed to do business in Washington, it has to comply with state law.
But if they are not licensed to do business here you get none of the consumer protection built into our laws.
That could change if there was a national standard for consumer protection for all insurance companies.
I don’t know if it would be a good thing or a bad thing as it would likely lead to more monopolies as bigger companies would have greater negotiating power…
but i suspect that state lines don’t currently limit large companies when it comes to negotiating power.
that negotiating power is what causes your bill to come with the cost of service, the negotiated discount from your insurer, the amount they paid and finally the amount you owe.
That first line is what everyone who doesn’t have an insurance company negotiating for them pays:(
September 11, 2009 at 12:38 am #676920
dhgParticipantDon’t think for one second that more companies “competing” for your business would mean lower rates. They’d divy up the profits. Very likely your rates would go up, which is the only direction they’ve gone for 40 years.
September 11, 2009 at 2:19 am #676921
voodooMemberNot to mention that the insurance companies would flock to the states with the least regulation, as the banks that issue credit cards have done. Ever notice that your credit card bill probably comes from Delaware? That’s because the banks can issue higher fees and interest rates if they are based there.
We have worked so hard in Washington on things like the every category of provider law, that says that licensed alternative healthcare providers have to be covered by insurance, I would hate to see my insurer run to another state to avoid that.
Now, if there were federal regulations that were equally inclusive, that might be different.
September 11, 2009 at 3:12 am #676922
JoBParticipantThe insurance companies are already making noise about having to raise prices to cover the cost of covering people with pre-existing conditions and the increased costs incurred because they can’t drop us if we get sick..
why am i not surprised.
ding.. round 2.
September 11, 2009 at 4:19 am #676923
maplesyrupParticipantOk. So it seems the issue is the varying standards among the states.
So what are the potential problems with a national standard?
September 11, 2009 at 5:14 am #676924
JanSParticipantwell, I am currently on Medicaid through the WA State Breast and Cervical Health program, which is funded on both state and federal levels. I do not get the alternative medicine benefits like massage, acupuncture, etc, that other health insurers are required to have.
And to clarify….Aetna can have 10 plans that you can choose from..they only have to offer the alternative med. coverage on one of those plans. They don’t have to offer it on all plans. So if your insurance plan does not cover these things, that’s why.
September 11, 2009 at 6:08 pm #676925
JoBParticipantmaplesyrup..
national standards tend to fall to the lowest common denominator… which would not be a good thing for washington consumers.
September 11, 2009 at 7:58 pm #676926
TracyMemberJanS – Just to clarify – Massage is not a mandated coverage in WA. Otherwise, Microsoft would cover it, but they don’t.
September 11, 2009 at 8:22 pm #676927
timeslidParticipantWhat exactly to Insurance companies add to the business of Health Care? How do they make my health care better, more affordable, safer, or more innovative?
September 11, 2009 at 9:31 pm #676928
JoBParticipantTracey,
it is possible that microsoft pays for one of the insurance packages offered by their provider that does not include alternative care…
I hadn’t thought about it, but my daughter-in-law works for microsoft and when my son’s back was hurt i know he got physical therapy but i don’t remember hearing about massage… that may be why.
Jan is right.. since 96 or 97, Health Care insurers licensed to do business in Washington are required to offer coverage that includes alternative care in at least one of their policies.
that doesn’t always translate to policies being offered that include alternative care coverage through your employer.
To be honest, i haven’t looked to see if it is covered in ours, but i think it is.
massage… if your doctor prescribes it for a medical condition… is one of the many different kinds of alternative medicine that were listed as covered therapies in that law.
When it comes to insurance coverage and the law, JanS has a huge vested interest in understanding the fine print. It’s her business.. one she does well.
September 11, 2009 at 9:34 pm #676929
JoBParticipanttimeslid..
in the beginning.. when insurance companies were all non-profit by law and highly regulated, they were the alternative solution to national health care.. they created a way that people could minimize the impact of catastrophic health care.
In those countries where they are still non-profit and highly regulated, they do exactly that and do it well… with excellent health outcomes for the populations they serve.
It’s not health insurance in and of itself that is the problem.. Privatization and de-regulation that created the problem we have now:(
September 11, 2009 at 10:11 pm #676930
AlParticipantVoodoo is right. If a provider is located in one state and they sell in another state that provider is only subject to the regulations in the state in which their “home” office is.
I had a provider change from a WA provider to one run out of Florida. Let me tell you it was a rude awakening. We lost all our “alternative” coverage. Couldn’t get it even with Dr. signoff. They cut even preventative care to once every 2 years, if you needed it really badly. That, for women, included gyn visists AND regular doctor. My doctor had to call the plan just to conduct a normal blood test to make sure it was covered. To top it off, co-pays went up, premiums went up, service went down.
September 11, 2009 at 10:26 pm #676931
JoBParticipantAl..
i think what they did was illegal.. and you might get redress through the state insurance commission..
unless there is a loophole for people who buy their insurance privately and are locked in when a company chooses to no longer do licensed business in the state… because of pre-existing conditions.
the trouble with law is that too many loopholes just begging for someone to abuse them.
September 11, 2009 at 10:39 pm #676932
JanSParticipantTracy..I’m a massage therapist. When Deborah Senn was insurance commissioner she went to bat for alternative healthcare, including massage. We are now licensed as health care workers, just like your Chiro, etc. I accept all health insurance (i.e., I’m a preferred provider), except one
As stated above, perhaps Microsoft simply didn’t choose to offer it’s employees the policy that covers massage. It would be interesting to know which insurance you’re talking about. I would assume that MS gives employees more than one choice when enrollment time comes around.
September 11, 2009 at 10:50 pm #676933
JoBParticipantJanS..
i think microsoft pays for a good basic health policy for all employees.. which i think i really smart on their part.
I know there are options for dependents but never thought to ask the kids if there were policy options as well.
i know they have kickin health care savings account options.
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