[Hidden-tech] Health New England Feedback?

[Clarity Data Services]

I think what's missing from this discussion is cost. Comparisons don't mean
much unless you're comparing similar plans. 

 

I've had HNE for several years now, and I find it easy to talk to their
representatives when I need to. To veer a bit off-topic, here's my rant: It
costs about $1,000 a month to cover my family with a high-deductible plan.
In 5 years on that plan, we've only exceeded the deductible once, so almost
all our costs have been out-of-pocket. It's basically a major-medical plan.
This year our payment went up 25 percent, and this after years of lesser but
still substantial increases. When I complain to the insurers that they're
pricing their customers out of the market, I'm directed towards state
programs and HSA accounts as a way to reduce costs. This is the "Free
Market" sending me to the government for help. Is that irony or something
worse?

 

We pay what seems like a lot of money just in case something goes very
wrong. One big problem with this is that none of us really know what we're
buying or what we should buy. It's not possible to be an informed consumer
when we can't predict which of the many possible health problems we may
encounter, when the insurance companies don't even give us the fine print,
and when cost and coverage changes as rapidly as it does. When I buy a tv, I
know what I need it for, so I know which one to get. Not so with insurance.
It's a bit of a crap shoot, and people's opinions of their plans will vary
widely based on what health problems they've encountered, and which level of
insurance (cost) they can afford.

 

The other self-employed people out there may be as angry as I am about all
of this. For people who have insurance through their employer, more and more
of the burden is being shifted onto the individual, and soon we'll all be
angry (and poor). Maybe that's what it will take to generate the political
will to change things. Keep your eyes on Vermont and their single-payer
attempt.

 

 

-Graham

 

Graham Ridley

Clarity Data Services

 

 

From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Tom Adams
~ Reelife Productions & Folktography
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 5:11 PM
To: Hidden-Tech Tech
Subject: [Hidden-tech] Health New England Feedback?

 

Has anyone out there used Health New England as a Health Care Provider?
We're considering for a family plan. Any feedback would be greatly
appreciated. thanks a bunch...

-- 

Regards,

 

Tom Adams, Director/Owner

Reelife Productions & Folktography by Tom

413.575.9707 . Williamsburg, MA

 <http://www.ReelifeProductions.com>  <http://folktography.zenfolio.com> 

 

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