Wis. lawmakers look at changes in health insurance
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin lawmakers are considering legislation to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.
Federal law prevents public programs such as BadgerCare and employer-sponsored group health plans from denying coverage or charging higher rates due to pre-existing conditions.
But no such protection exists with private insurance.
The Assembly has approved a bill limiting the "look back" period for pre-existing conditions to one year and requiring a formal diagnosis for the conditions. But the bill would not prevent companies from denying coverage or raising premiums for those with such conditions, and patient advocates say that while helpful, it doesn't go far enough.
May 14, 2009 at 10:25 p.m.
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Here's a scenario and a question. I'm really interested in people's thoughts about this.
I used to always get prescriptions filled at the big name place (you know which one I mean). For one, my copay was the same no matter where I went. Secondly, I just always thought that the big chain had the best pricing.
Was I surprised! I checked around on a few different prescriptions without insurance. I found that the big chain was between two and four times higher than the locally owned pharmacy! And, of course, insurance companies pass those costs along to policyholders.
In fact, I found them higher on store-brand OTC items as well...things like generic Prilosec, generic Benadryl, and generic Sudafed.
I haven't been back there since. Question is: How many others fall into my line of (prior) thought, and go to the big chain?
May 14, 2009 at 6:56 p.m.
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Ya got that right! Its ridiculous what they will deny coverage for. If you lose your job (in this economy, many of us have...) insurance companies are NOT required to even cover maintenance drugs. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, anti-depressants, heart meds, diabetes and testing supplies / insulin, newborns with complications.... This is wrong on soooo many fronts!
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And just try to afford COPRA while in transition, if you can even find work! We need more aggressive legislature to get these insurance costs in line.
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Back in the 50's and 60's, it was a "given" that the employer paid for ALL medical insurance. My father worked for Commonwealth Edison in Rockford, IL, since the early sixties. When we needed to see the doctor, the dentist, the eye doctor, buy a prescription, there was NO bill. Mom just handed over the company card and away we went.
What has happened in the past 40 years is nothing short of highway robbery. Instead of being respected professions, its just a money grubbing freight train.
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Too many hands in "the till!
May 14, 2009 at 12:58 p.m.
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We're the only advanced country in the world with a "screw you, you're already sick" policy. It's insane and backward.
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