Once again Anthem makes a wonderful decision to increase rates dramatically across all of their individual plans.  It is as if they want to be hated. The interesting fact is that when compared to other carriers, it is difficult to find more economical solutions.  I was surprised.  I think other carriers increase their rates with a little more stealth. There is a dirt little secret. The doctor visits, labs and services have all increased by 30% at least.  I get to see this by looking at my client’s bills. If any of the carriers tried to publish this, they would lose their contracts with physicians and hospitals.

A couple of years ago an insurance company rep slipped me a copy of hospital billing charges for Southern California. You would have thought he was giving me a list of drug lords. I mention this because it is critically important in this entire cost increase. Until the public insists on more information from their doctors we will continue to be victimized by the medical institutions and the insurance companies.

Recently I have experienced some clients looking hard for that extra percentage off on their health insurance. I know how they feel.  I want to know how a financial planner can charge 1% and more for financial advice that costs me losses in my investment portfolio. Their conversation normally contains phrases like risk tolerance and keeping up with inflation. I totally understand the angst. The difference between managing investments and buying health insurance is pretty big.  When I help a client I get involved with a lot of unknown hazards. What if the client gets cancer? What if the client gets pregnant? What doctor do they want to see?  That is only the beginning of my service.  Although I am paid by the insurance company, I need my client to pick me as their agent/broker. If they want to change brokers they can do that with a simple letter.  Group insurance is particularly tenuous. Some bokers garner business by asking for broker of record letters. They don’t enroll anyone, they don’t propose any plans, they don’t save the client any money,  they just get a letter signed.  Most reputable brokers consider that unethical.  I want to remind anyone that if a broker asks for a letter like that and has done nothing to earn the business, should you trust them?

Another way brokers lose business is through association plans. Typically one broker negotiates a deeper discount for an industry group and is able to offer health insurance at a discount of about 1%. The insurance company asks for the exclusive offering to all association membrs. The client doesn’t really know what sort of customer care they will get down the road, they just want to save money.  Eventually those plans do cycle up in cost and the client needs to act on their own behalf for quotes, customer service and enrollment assistance.  Association plans offer one insurance carrier solution.  The client is on their own in making sure it is competitive.  Typically it works out just okay.  I recently asked a client why they stayed with my agency in the face of this choice. They told me that my service was worth it.  That made my day, week and year in an emotional  paycheck.

We are now facing a challenge that will cause many brokers to leave the business. Who can blame them? No money is made when advice is given and no contract is written. If the consumer is given the choice of picking a richer plan or a government option at a greater savings, they will.  That initial savings could be well over 15%.  I think this will ultimately happen for many. The best doctors will eventually take private insurance  plans if they stay in the business.  The cutting edge medicine and services will be offered privately. The average person will end up getting just average care. Unfortunately when your life depends on that newest innovation and pharmacy, it will not be offered to those who have a well priced government option. It will be quiet and unfair. Unfair access:  An expensive RA pharmacy  is NOT available to Ruematoid Arthritis patients in Japan. Since Japan’s government subsidizes  pharmacy it is not allowed in the country. Those who can afford the injections come to the US for their treatments.  This was told to me by a client who lived in Japan. You will not see that headline.

My advice to those who want the best for themselves and their family: Look at your budget. Realize that your life and health are number one priorities and set aside the money that will allow you to purchase the private option.

It is impossible to understand why the House allowed this to happen unless you believe in bribery and Chicago style politics. There are policies that are added that don’t even come close to the what HealthCare reform actually needs. For example one provision covers home schooling. What does home schooling  and supervision by the Federal Govt. have to do healthcare? There are provisions for  setting up educational institutions for medical professionals. I suppose our House of Representatives already know doctors will drop out of the main stream delivery of healthcare because they know they will not be paid enough!

Bottom line it! You can see how many things that were thrown into this pot of mush. Many of the “things” were concessions to Representatives so that they would vote for the bill. Gosh I wish I had called Representative Hunter and begged him to add that health insurance brokers were always going to get paid. NO WAIT.  He wouldn’t take the bribe because he is a Patriot.  It would need to be Representative Filner and I don’t have anything on him except a bad story about him and United Airlines. Everyone knew about that anyway.

Oh well.   Maybe Feinstein will actually read my mail.

President Obama is speaking to concerned gay activists this Saturday October 10, 2009. Why didn’t he take the time when thousands of concerned citizens showed up to protest the health insurance take over? These folks were not just Republicans, they were concerned people from across the nation. Recently another group of people showed up to protest. They were doctors.  Keep in mind that the AMA endorsement for Obama healthcare only represents 17% of doctors.  Doctors who are concerned about the cost shifting and reduced services took their concerns to the White House Lawn. President Obama did not address them.

 The main stream media purposely overlooks these groups. This is a dangerous time when you think about it.  Studies have shown that 80% of the US citizens are happy with their healthcare. Insurance experts have not been consulted. If they were, the statements made would not be so outlandish. But who in the White House cares? What can anyone do? Perhaps we could set up a country on the moon.

Why would a respected representative yell this out at a congressional  meeting with our President at the podium? Personally I would have applauded him. But then perhaps all  conservatives should have taken some mood leveling prescriptive medicine before going to this farce.  First of all when the President saunters in 15 minutes  late, it sets a tone.  The President  doesn’t seem to worry about anyone’s time and network coverage.  Being late creates attention. He also doesn’t worry about espousing mistruths about our current coverage issues.

For those that think Representative Wilson went off the deep end last night. You are right.   Call me crazy but I think a whole lot of people wouldn’t have died at the hands of the Nazis if Joe Wilson had been around.