Doctors’ Flat Fee Plans Give Insurance Regulators Headaches

By | March 6, 2009

  • March 6, 2009 at 8:36 am
    Guy D says:
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    I don’t know that I agree with the DOI’s definition of insurance. I mean, what happened with that “large group of homogeneous exposure units that make their losses collectively predictable”? You know, I have contracted for many years with a termite company who charges me an annual fee, and pledges to keep treating my house for termite infestations. They come once a year, and then during the year if I see evidence of termites, they come out and treat it. Two years ago, they actually tented my entire house. According to the definition given in this article, the termite company would have to be an approved insurer to do what they are doing. Doesn’t the DOI have enough to do without making life more difficult and more expensive?

  • March 6, 2009 at 12:47 pm
    DA says:
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    Well, well. Haven’t we opened a can of special interest worms?

    Retainers for services, to be provided by the licensed professional, for future, yet to be discovered needs is now considered insurance? Really?

    And the ABA is staying out of this discussion?

    Sounds more like the insurance industry is taking note of a potential trend, which threatens their business.

    I say, bring it on Doc – I’ll sign up.

  • March 6, 2009 at 12:57 pm
    Scoobys says:
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    I’m with you DA! Finally an option that is affordable, allows you to choose your doctor and ofers and alternative to overpriced insurance. This is a creative approach to the management of health care costs and I’m all in!

    Bypass the insurance companies that pollute the process adding to costs. Its no wonder they are threatened!

  • March 6, 2009 at 12:59 pm
    Obama says:
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    I’m taking over Health Care anyway so who cares! Obama

  • March 6, 2009 at 1:21 am
    Lawyer says:
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    Please note that if you need an attorney and have bought into our monthly payment plan that if you ever need an attorney or legal advice it is not the same thing. So don’t even try to stop us from doing it because it’s not insurance. So if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is still a dog! And don’t forget it!

  • March 6, 2009 at 1:25 am
    Whimp Stomper says:
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    Nice job, because health insurance is expensive, it’s the insurance companies, right? Not. Administrative expense in my state is just over $220 per member per year. The rest of the money pays your precious doctors, their imaging and tests, labs, prescriptions and hospital stays. Oh, and 2% of it goes to State Taxes too.

    Well government can do better? Try administrative expenses of $350 to $440 per member per year for governmental programs!

    It’s cheap? Sure, you’re only getting a doctors visit, maybe some labs or X-rays. What are you going to do with a real illness or injury? Oh yeah, you can’t pay for that, so just pay that off with a $15 per month payment plan and make the hospital write if off (and cost-shift to the rest of us).

    You really like the concept? Join Medishare. A Christian based bill sharing mechanizm. …but you have to be healthy or you don’t qualify, and you have to be a believer.

  • March 6, 2009 at 1:42 am
    Gill Fin says:
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    What does it cost per citizen per year to have an insurer administrate a health policy? And what would the cost be if government did it? I always read about the insurance company profits regarding health insurance but since expenses are regulated by government already, I just considered it urban myth. Remember, government already sets the price health insurers can charge. So if you think it is too expensive, contact your insurance commissioner. Too bad attorneys don’t have an attorney commissioner to set their rates.

  • March 6, 2009 at 1:54 am
    stumped says:
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    No where in this article did I see WHERE this was happening! It said, “the state” or “the city,” but didn’t define which state or city! Good job, IJ!

  • March 6, 2009 at 2:26 am
    google says:
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    This is an AP story. NYC doctor. I agree, IJ should’ve included all the important details.

  • March 6, 2009 at 4:32 am
    Heikki Illaapiinlahti says:
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    As a former health-insurance employee, I have seen how dysfuntional and brken the current system is. It seems like the government would prefer to receive kickbacks from the insurance industry rather than allow new ideas.
    “Change” we can believe in for sure.



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