Insurance

[RichardGraham]

Hey Folks,

Anyone out there playing with no insurance coverage except USA Hockey Inline's? Just curious. I'm not playing these days, partly because I have no health insurance, and I can't afford to be injured. I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has had to make a similar decision?

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[GROWL99]

While I fortunately have health insurance, believe me, you are not alone, Richard. I know at least 5 guys that don't play anymore because they are in your situation. Health insurance is ridiculosly priced. I just found out yesterday that my insurance for me and my wife just went up another 170.00 per month. So with dental included, it is costing me over 1200.00 per month. What a joke. Hopefully, everyone will be able to get back out on the rink sometime soon, and stay injury free.

[RichardGraham]

Hey Growl99,

Thanks for your reply. It's really distressing. If I was to get even a broken ankle, which I experienced a couple of years ago in an ice hockey game, the deductible alone is more than I'd really be able to afford right now. They keep saying the economy is booming, but if you ask me, it is booming only for some corporations that offer fewer and fewer benefits for their employees. I see the middle class struggling and shrinking, and that can't be good for a grassroots-based sport like inline hockey. /wtimages/icons/mad.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[JohnHockey1798]

Richard, my insurance doubled recently and my pay rate has remained the same. I do not see how the economy is booming and if it is its like you said for corporations and the rich. There needs to be something done about this but I see it as a uphill battle because of corporations, unfortunately I work for one. We need to get people in polotical office who will fight for the average middleclass working people. Sorry about the rant but this is just my opinion and I wanted to get it out.

John

Toga!! Toga!!

[johnny2suede]

I am amazed at how well the economy is doing despite the increase in oil prices.

What is the deductible on USA Hockey insurance that would someone would be responsible for in out of pocket expenses? When I had it I think it was $250, probably more now.

The probability of a bad injury is low, just ask how many occur at your local rink. And if in fact you did suffer say a broken ankle I would bet the hospital would work out a very reasonable time payment for you since the hospital would be receiving well in excess of 90% of their fees from the insurance company. So you would pay maybe $500 on a payment plan.

If an illegal alien were to suffer the same injury he/she would just be treated at no cost and the hospital would have no recourse. But if YOU did not have USA insurance you would probably have to file bankruptcy.

I think the most sensible approach to health insurance is to have a very large deductible, say $5000. This way, your monthly premiums are small and you are protected against big stuff that could financially ruin you.

And do not look to the Federal government to take care of you by providing social services with funds received from taxing others.

[showtime89]

I had that issue a few years back when I was between jobs but I just hoped I didn't get hurt and I didn't. Then again, I have always been rather injury free, so I didn't feel like I was someone who got hurt often and really had to worry. Just play (If you get hurt though, it won't be my fault).

Ron Sardina
SUNY Brockport Roller Hockey Club
President and Captain 1995-1999
#89

http://riverrats.8m.com/rsbi.gif

[Icedogs8]

Richard,
I know a few people in the same boat. like everyone else is saying, Insurance premiums are going through the roof, just like gas prices.


Jay T

[RichardGraham]

Hi Jay,

Yeah, it's certainly no fun for people who have to choose between having insurance and paying rent, or having healthcare and eating three meals a day. Something needs to change, for sure.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[CoachFoo]

Rich,

I don't know what to think anymore. I'm not that old really but have 5 kids. I play/coach and they all play. I was raised in an era where you grew up thinking that if you worked hard and you had a bunch of kids, everything would work it self out and you would be OK. Now it just does not make a difference how hard you work. Between the impact gas prices is having now and the price of health insurance, how is the regular guy going to make it with all the other expenses that come with a family?

[RichardGraham]

Hi Rich,

You ask very good questions. I have to remind myself that this is an inline hockey site and not get too far "out there" with my opinions on the state of the world. However, today's America is not the America I grew up in, and I wonder how we've allowed things get to this state. I can only hope that we can begin to turn things around. More and more, it seems that the only thing that counts anymore is greed.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi Johnny2suede,

I think that you make an excellent point about having an extremely high insurance deductible, so that if something catastrophic occurs, you'll be covered. And though it will be mighty painful to pay a $5,000 deductible, that would be nothing compared to the costs you'd incur if you were badly injured or acquired something like cancer, which killed both my mother and stepmother.

And yes, you're right, don't look to the Federal government to take care of you -- guys like Grover Norquist, who apparently have great health-care plans, or a bleep-load of money, want to shrink government until they can "drown it in a bathtub." If guys like him get their way, and you get hit by a car and laid up for a few months, but don't have insurance, you'd damn well better win the lottery. Otherwise, you'll be worse than "out of luck."

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hi John,

Thanks for your post.

It does seem like the national economic indicators ignore the "little guy," doesn't it?

I love how they keep talking about how there are fewer people on the unemployment rolls, but they don't mention that unemployment only lasts for six months, and after that, you are not counted. Nice!

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hey Ron,

Thanks for your post. Glad you escaped without injury. I was lucky, because I still had insurance from the job I'd recently been laid off from... Except for that injury, and a broken wrist in my college days, I've been fairly injury free. However, you can't count on that luck continuing, especially if it's your family that pays if you get badly injured.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[johnny2suede]

Richard, another reason why very high deductible health insurance makes dollars and sense is because you benefit greatly from the insurance companies' negotiated rate with the health care provider. In almost every case, the insurance company negotiates the price to a 50% reduction and way more. So, you benefit from that reduced price. Additionally, try to get admitted to any hospital without insurance, it's more than likely not going to happen unless you have a substantial cash deposit.

It will be interesting to see how MA's mandatory health insurance program goes.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Johnny,

You make some additional good points. Yes, it will be very interesting to see what happens in Massachusetts

Yep, I think having a big deductible and catastrophic coverage is better than having no health insurance at all.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[boardman]

Richard,
If you paid $6+ per gallon for gas like we do in the UK and the difference went to a basic health insurance would Americians acept it, if the fund was say run with the insurance companies??

[RichardGraham]

Hi Boardman,

That's a good question. I guess that people who didn't drive much would love that plan. /wtimages/icons/wink.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central