Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is going on with medical insurance? Depending on what media news or TV station you watch and listen to, your understanding of changes to medical insurance might substantially differ. For me, for us, working in the medical industry and directly dealing with various insurances daily, it is a big deal to know the real story behind the news. And the story is sad. At first, let me give you a little historical information. I have personally lived through multiple down trends in economy and recessions. While some interpret it as a political event, true economic ups and downs are normal and expected from time to time. Yes, they may be associated with politics, but they simply occur to correct the overactive market and attempts of the markets to make too much money too quickly, sometimes in not-so-honest manner. The most recent 2008 crash was caused by exactly that reason affecting real estate industry. Many people lost homes and jobs, and we suffered as a country. The truth is that healthcare never experienced much of a recession. Demands for medical care exist regardless of political parties in power and whether we buy homes for more or less. This time is different. For the last decade or more, the direct cost of medical insurance premium has been growing every year. Before the Affordable Care Act, so called Obamacare, the biggest issue was denial due to preexisting conditions. Thousands of people could not get insurance or had claims rejected because they were sick. In other words, medical insurance for the very reason of paying when you get sick, was denied for paying when you were sick. Total nonsense and unfairness. ACA removed that issue, yet temporary, but the cost of insurance kept growing. For people of lower income, government subsidies helped pay for the premiums. Those below certain poverty level could apply for Medicaid. We filed claims, got paid, more or less, much less for Medicaid, but more Americans than ever had insurance. This changes entirely next year. Changes to policies of taxes eliminated many of the benefits for subsidies and Medicaid. Insurance industry already incorporated the estimated changes into renewals and new policies. As open enrollment starts now, we see those changes coming and crashing the existing system. Patients are losing Medicaid and those with private Dema policies under ACA are getting renewals with price tags way above their ability to pay. This is not a media story. These are facts. We, as a medical clinic, are also employers, so called a small business. We received our renewal, and it is 18% higher than last year. We know of other small businesses receiving increases of 15-30%. Just for your understanding, a family of five, two parents in their late 40s, with three kids pays a monthly premium of $5000 for the medical insurance we carry. That is $60,000 a year. If we did not help cover that for our employees in a big portion, they would have to pick up between buying medical insurance or food. Again, this is not a media story. These are facts from our own yard. And this only means that our own business expenses are going to grow dramatically in 2026. And we will not make more money because we are a subject of fee schedules as a part of our contracts with Medicare, Medicaid, and insurances. This means only one thing: hospitals will be closing, medical clinics will go bankrupt, medical care will be limited, and patients will receive less services of quality. This is not a good projection for the future. So, when you watch the news or read the media, think about the fact that you are also a part of that system. One way or the other it will affect you as well. We need a big change. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology What is going on with medical insurance ? Depending on what media news or TV station you watch and listen to , your understanding of changes to medical insurance might substantially differ . For me , for us , working in the medical industry and directly dealing with various insurances daily , it is a big deal to know the real story behind the news . And the story is sad . At first , let me give you a little historical information . I have personally lived through multiple down trends in economy and recessions . While some interpret it as a political event , true economic ups and downs are normal and expected from time to time . Yes , they may be associated with politics , but they simply occur to correct the overactive market and attempts of the markets to make too much money too quickly , sometimes in not - so - honest manner . The most recent 2008 crash was caused by exactly that reason affecting real estate industry . Many people lost homes and jobs , and we suffered as a country . The truth is that healthcare never experienced much of a recession . Demands for medical care exist regardless of political parties in power and whether we buy homes for more or less . This time is different . For the last decade or more , the direct cost of medical insurance premium has been growing every year . Before the Affordable Care Act , so called Obamacare , the biggest issue was denial due to preexisting conditions . Thousands of people could not get insurance or had claims rejected because they were sick . In other words , medical insurance for the very reason of paying when you get sick , was denied for paying when you were sick . Total nonsense and unfairness . ACA removed that issue , yet temporary , but the cost of insurance kept growing . For people of lower income , government subsidies helped pay for the premiums . Those below certain poverty level could apply for Medicaid . We filed claims , got paid , more or less , much less for Medicaid , but more Americans than ever had insurance . This changes entirely next year . Changes to policies of taxes eliminated many of the benefits for subsidies and Medicaid . Insurance industry already incorporated the estimated changes into renewals and new policies . As open enrollment starts now , we see those changes coming and crashing the existing system . Patients are losing Medicaid and those with private Dema policies under ACA are getting renewals with price tags way above their ability to pay . This is not a media story . These are facts . We , as a medical clinic , are also employers , so called a small business . We received our renewal , and it is 18 % higher than last year . We know of other small businesses receiving increases of 15-30 % . Just for your understanding , a family of five , two parents in their late 40s , with three kids pays a monthly premium of $ 5000 for the medical insurance we carry . That is $ 60,000 a year . If we did not help cover that for our employees in a big portion , they would have to pick up between buying medical insurance or food . Again , this is not a media story . These are facts from our own yard . And this only means that our own business expenses are going to grow dramatically in 2026. And we will not make more money because we are a subject of fee schedules as a part of our contracts with Medicare , Medicaid , and insurances . This means only one thing : hospitals will be closing , medical clinics will go bankrupt , medical care will be limited , and patients will receive less services of quality . This is not a good projection for the future . So , when you watch the news or read the media , think about the fact that you are also a part of that system . One way or the other it will affect you as well . We need a big change . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net