Sunday, April 6, 2014

An Excellent Bit Of Commentary -- On Some Of The Many Remaining "Cost Anomalies" In US Health Care Delivery

Once in a while, a commenter drops by -- largely out of the blue -- to offer such an excellent set of perspectives, that the same merits a new post.

The below is plainly one of those. [I even made a custom graphic at right, for the occassion, while I watched an on demand replay of the Kentucky-Wisconsin thriller!] And so, without any additional ado -- here is an anoymous take on my cost of drugs story (a la Remicade), of this very morning:

. . . .Anonymous said. . .

About a year ago (nearly to the week) Time devoted an entire issue to the high cost of US Healthcare.

Here is a Forbes article comparing profit margins of hospitals to other industries, making it look not SO bad; but, there is no breakout between for profit and not-for-profit institutions.

I worked for a spell at a not-for-profit insurance carrier. Ironically I was making my exit just as this Time piece came out. At this particular firm, the largest provider in my, and many other, states, you'd be amazed at the perks, salaries and job titles going around. And, yes, the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) from the ACA definitely has affected business by way of subscriber refunds each year it has been in effect. However, the popular thinking in this particular place is to keep the VPs and above (woo, you should see those salaries and bennies) -- while demoting directors (where those platinum bennies start) -- and thinning out the lower ranks.

The amount of money these plans hold in reserves is often dozens of times higher than what their state boards of insurance require. Some argue this is just a way for these insurance companies to keep raking in premiums at higher than necessary costs, even under the ACA. There are also many class action lawsuits against these federated insurance plans who are often the only game in town because of their 'local' presence.

Sorry to drone on here but there are pah-lenty of places to streamline and economize in the chain of healthcare.

April 6, 2014 at 7:55 PM. . . .


Absolutely agree -- spot on! Thank you so much, Anon. -- do stop back by -- and please feel free to share any time, one and all!

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