Commentary by Jim Tate
Twitter: @JimTate
Is it just me? I think I had the flu last week or maybe I’m just out of touch. I find myself on the border of outrage at least three times a week. Maybe I need to go back down to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica and cool out for about 5 or 10 years.
It is tough to have private health insurance these days. My family of four pays over $800 a month for Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance that has a deductible of $3500 per person. $800 a month! That is a boat payment and maybe a buffet or two at the Golden Corral. We are all in good health and have no pre-existing conditions except the hypertension I have whenever I pay my premium. My daughter had her tonsils out last year. Guess what the total bill was? $3487. Wasn’t that convenient? I’m getting pretty used to having to deal with the cards that are dealt my way. Somebody else makes the rules and shuffles the cards and I guess I should be grateful. I really don’t have much choice if I want to be a “responsible citizen”.
I have to admit I have a certain perverse admiration for my health insurance company. During the war over the Affordable Care Act they fought the “public option” tooth and nail. “Wouldn’t be fair”, they said, “we need a level playing field.” Of course the “level playing field” was defined as one in which the government insures the poor (Medicaid) and the old (Medicare). Sounds fair to me to let those companies service the sweet spot while taxpayers cover the most expensive patients. Nice business model.
But back to my latest outrage. The Wall Street Journal this week informs me that my health insurance company is buying my credit card data along with 3 million more of my fellow “customers”. “It is for my own good”, I’m told. Well maybe it is but could you at least ask me for permission? If that is too much of a bother then could I at least be informed about what you are doing on my behalf? How about a little transparency? Maybe I want too much. If this is such a good idea how come Medicare is not reviewing credit card purchases? I’m feeling a little woozy right now and I hear a buzzing sound. Is it my situational hypertension or is there a drone outside my window?
Jim Tate is founder of EMR Advocate and a nationally recognized expert on the CMS EHR Incentive Program, certified EHR technology and meaningful use.