Insurance Companies

I've just found out that i don't fit the profile for a so-called normal plan with any of the big insurance companies. Because of some of my so-called ratios I would be considered High Risk, and therefor would either be declined, or my monthly payments would be disgustingly high. Not only that, but not everything would be covered because the insurance company couldn't bring themselves to cover someone with my "ratios." They will not do a physical or health test, they will not check my medical records to see if i have had any health concerns in recent years, they merely received an answer on a standardized questionnaire and deemed me unfit to cover.

Health insurance in this country is a crock of shit.

Here's the deal: I was taken care of better when I had nothing. When I was about 22 I had to have my wisdom teeth pulled in a major way, so I went to Highland in Oakland. I was probably making about 15,000 dollars a year. They charged me $5 for the entire operation, and the staff was amazing. It took me all day, but it was totally worth it, and it went really well.

Then when I had to get contraception I went to Planned Parenthood. Again, I waited for an appointment, and I waited in the office, but it was so worth it! They were so nice and helpful, and made me feel like a valued person. I only had to pay donations, which I very willingly did. They gave me a year's supply, and asked that I come back for a check up after the year was up and talk to them. They also scheduled a follow up visit for a few months later to make sure the pills were working.

And then I got health insurance. I was so happy! I finally had coverage and I could go to the doctor without worrying, and maybe even without waiting for months for an appointment. And then every time i went in for any kind of appointment they asked me what was wrong, tried to get me out as quickly as possible, and shoved vicadon and muscle relaxers down my throat for any kind of irritation. They kept asking for my information even though I had a card with my name on it stating my membership. They couldn't find me on the list for the first six months of my membership, and I had to go to the administration office several times begging for them to straighten it all out.

I still had to wait for appointments. I still had to wait for a long time in the office, only this time they didn't seem as happy to see me when I eventually went into the exam room. I had to pay money up front on top of my monthly payments, and when I got my pills finally they only gave me three months at a time stating it was the way things were done, and i would have to just keep refilling until my yearly check up. Okay, I guess I can do that. Except my yearly check up never came. They stated healthy women should only have to see their female doctor once every two years. And then it was three.

And then I switched providers and i was so happy. I wouldn't have to go into a huge room with tons of sick people because of a headache or back injury. I could actually be treated as a person instead of a number on a card. Only i still had to wait for a long time, and they still asked for money up front as well as the per monthly payments. then they started sending me bills on top of that for things that I didn't know weren't covered. I stopped going to the doctors for wellness visits because I couldn't afford it, but on TV all i could see was health care providers urging people to come to see their doctors for wellness visits. Keep healthy, they said, stay on top of your life and body before something happens to it! And what a great idea! Isn't it cheaper for all of us to spend a little time, energy, and money on our health now instead of a hospital visit down the road? One would think, but most insurance providers don't always cover wellness.

And then I don't have insurance. And I am not so happy. I am a bit older now, and I worry about something happening that would cause bankruptcy. I worry that that one time something happened we would lose everything and have to start all over building our life that we have worked so diligently on. What if one of us got in an accident and had to spend a week in the hospital? Big what if, right? I know... but if it did happen we would basically be out of an apartment. We'd be moving in with parents.

So I am looking for insurance providers for that reason. Peace of mind. Just in case. Make me sleep better at night. And then I find out that the most affordable plans, still $200 a month, don't cover any wellness. Okay, no wellness. (Seems that would be cheaper, but okay.) Then I find out they don't cover birth control. Well, okay. Seems that birth control would be cheaper than an emergency cesarean section, but okay. Then I find out that even though I am super healthy, my ratios don't match their profile, and it would cost me probably $450 a month for "just in case" and even that wouldn't cover some emergencies. Also: when there is an emergency that $450 a month only covers 40% of your bill. Where does the rest of the money go?

I want to know who is getting rich off this bull shit. I want to know how this was structured and why it is so horrible. Why is it that most of us suffer just to be healthy? Why is it that the insurance is structured for accidents and illness instead of focusing on keeping us healthy so we don't need damage control?

Why are we focused on pills and medicines?

Why are so many people diabetic?

Why can't we get our act together? It is possible. Good insurance exists. Or at least better.