liverock
01-25-2006, 12:36 PM
To answer some queries on another health board I contacted a representative of a leading insurance company who agreed to answer my questions about health insurance. Thought they might be worth repeating here.
MEDICAL INSURANCE EXPLAINED :jester:
Q.Thankyou for agreeing to answer my questions.
A. Not at all, medical insurance is simple.
Q.What does HMO stand for?
A. This is actually a version of the phrase, "HEY MOE". Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Moe of the Three Stooges, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eye. ;) :) :)
Q. If I just joined an HMO how difficult would it be to choose the doctor I want?
A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors in the plan. The doctors basically fall into two categories: those who are no longer accepting new patients and those who will see you but are no longer part of the plan.
But don't worry, the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half-day's drive away and a diploma from a third world country.
Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?
A. No. Only those you need.
Q.Can I get coverage for my pre-existing conditions?
A. Certainly, as long as they dont require any treatment.
Q.What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medication?
A. You'll need alternative forms of payment.
Q.My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs but I need the name brand. I tried the generic medicine but it gave me stomach ache. What should I do?
A. Poke yourself in the eye. ;)
Q.What if I'm away from home and I get sick?
A. You really shouldn't do that.
Q.I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle the problem. Can a GP really perform a heart transplant right in his/her office?
A. Hard to say, but considering that all your risking is the $20 co-payment there's no harm in giving it a shot.
Q.I note in your publicity material that you say you always on the lookout to give your customers more. Can you explain?
A. Certainly. We are aways looking out to have more fine print policy conditions, more exclusions and more claim disputes. As I say we always like to give our customers more.
Q. Thankyou for answering my questions.
A. Not at all. As I said, medical insurance is simple......... :wave:
MEDICAL INSURANCE EXPLAINED :jester:
Q.Thankyou for agreeing to answer my questions.
A. Not at all, medical insurance is simple.
Q.What does HMO stand for?
A. This is actually a version of the phrase, "HEY MOE". Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Moe of the Three Stooges, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eye. ;) :) :)
Q. If I just joined an HMO how difficult would it be to choose the doctor I want?
A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors in the plan. The doctors basically fall into two categories: those who are no longer accepting new patients and those who will see you but are no longer part of the plan.
But don't worry, the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half-day's drive away and a diploma from a third world country.
Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?
A. No. Only those you need.
Q.Can I get coverage for my pre-existing conditions?
A. Certainly, as long as they dont require any treatment.
Q.What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medication?
A. You'll need alternative forms of payment.
Q.My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs but I need the name brand. I tried the generic medicine but it gave me stomach ache. What should I do?
A. Poke yourself in the eye. ;)
Q.What if I'm away from home and I get sick?
A. You really shouldn't do that.
Q.I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle the problem. Can a GP really perform a heart transplant right in his/her office?
A. Hard to say, but considering that all your risking is the $20 co-payment there's no harm in giving it a shot.
Q.I note in your publicity material that you say you always on the lookout to give your customers more. Can you explain?
A. Certainly. We are aways looking out to have more fine print policy conditions, more exclusions and more claim disputes. As I say we always like to give our customers more.
Q. Thankyou for answering my questions.
A. Not at all. As I said, medical insurance is simple......... :wave: