Just a quick story and some observations/conclusions from my most
recent visit to the doctor to check on the progress of the bone implant to try
to give me right-side hearing (this is a physical description, not a political one).
As I was exiting the office, I held the door for a young man and his parents following me. The young man was blind, using a cane and relying on his
parents for help, as well.
His mother asked me if I was getting a cochlear implant too. I
shared my cyborg connection and my story, which included why the cochlear
implant was not an option for me (insurance in the United States considers a
one-sided cochlear “experimental,” although it’s common practice {and covered}
in Europe). We also discussed the costs of hearing aids, which I assume had been
his only option prior to the implant. Although they apparently worked okay for
him, the costs were prohibitive since he needed new ones frequently.
Mom and Dad noted that insurance does not cover the cost of
hearing aids, whichI knew from both Carolyn's and my experience, but even for someone like their son. “How the insurance companies can
say his lack of hearing isn’t a medical condition, I just don’t understand,”
she said. “It’s not like he can read lips!”
I commiserated, noting, and they agreed, “If for profit insurance
companies are in charge of your medical treatment and care, you can be sure of
one thing: a patient’s needs are NEVER going to be the top priority.”
While I would not even suggest that a government run, single payer
program would be problem free, at least the theoretical priority is patient
welfare, not corporate profit. And while government bureaucracies are
notoriously inefficient, I’ve found the same to be true with corporate
(especially insurance) bureaucracies. By the way, did you know that despite
their complaining, health insurance companies have had record profits and are
experiencing record stock levels. (See link here or picture below)
My experience with the system can be used to identify one problem
that has a pretty obvious solution. Do you know how much I have paid for all
the tests, procedures, etc? $0. My only charge will be an “activation fee.”
Apparently it costs nothing to implant the device, or even buy the device, just
to start it up. (I know there are costs, of course, but all are covered by my socialized medicine plan, aka, Medicare.) And that’s ridiculous. I’m fully covered just because I’ve reached a
certain age, no matter my income or assets. I wonder how much money could be
saved with, say, a $500 deductible for people whose AGI exceeded a certain
amount the year previous, with a sliding scale and perhaps a cap (adjusted for
inflation as the years roll by, like social security income and Medicare
premiums) for the very affluent.
I understand the philosophical and political objections, but I would rather
decisions be made by doctors and even a bungling bureaucracy than a for profit
insurance company.
Stay tuned for Part V. Who knew health care was so complicated?
Uh, besides almost everyone?
