Business Insight Can Your Health Translate Into Money? Last weeks column was dedicated to senior insurance coverage and the difference between Medicare, real Medicare, and private insurance substitute to Medicare. Again, during the week, I watched hundreds of advertisements by private insurance companies, Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare, telling viewers that they offer excellent Medicare plans, with tons of free services and more. What they do not say is what limits are set up to their plans and how difficult it will be for you to maintain your doctors. They are NOT Medicare. They are the private plans that received money from the government to replace the real Medicare. Some of you may benefit from these plans, especially if you are healthy and do not really use insurance a lot. But if you are an established patient with a list of doctors and medications, you better check if you can continue seeing these doctors. And do it before you sign anything. One of the factors that private substitutes keep pushing is the fact that sometimes their premiums are lower than regular Medicare. Sometimes. They receive millions from the government, an they apply so called 'savings' to their plans, so yes, it is possible that your premium might be $10 or $20 less than Medicare. That may be a lot for some households, especially if you buy lots of medications. However, you need to read all the small print, because most private insurances have freedom to change the fees and charge you for not using their doctors. They also may limit how many times you can see doctors. There are many rules and regulations, often written in a language that is hardly understood by patients. Well, we sometimes do not understand that language either. But we try and our staff is really good at comparing the benefits and small prints. presented by Arlington Dermatology Most patients, when they get seriously ill, do not care who and how and how much. They and their families want the best, the most optimal care possible, so that they get better and quickly. When you go to the Emergency Room, they ask you for your IDs, but you do not ask them how much it will cost. Pain, heart, injury, whatever the emergency is makes us all vulnerable and eager to agree to everything as long as we can be helped. Sickness or injury does not select among factor. All of us can get sick and in need age, race, religions, politics, or any other of urgent assistance. If not assisted timely, we may get worse or die. Basic and urgent medical care are not a luxury but human rights. Unfortunately, not all of our patients are insured, and many do not get proper medical help until it is too late. Then, the cost of extended care is far beyond what they can pay, and they may delay it again. They may limit or alternate their medication and take half of what they of serious medical problems, are forced should, just to save money. Many, in cases into bankruptcy and unemployment. I think we are the only country in the world with cases like this. And it is very sad. It is also sad that many medical facilities take advantage of misfortune of uninsured, and they push them to a very poor mental health in addition to physical sickness. should not be. So, is your health about money? It Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight Can Your Health Translate Into Money ? Last weeks column was dedicated to senior insurance coverage and the difference between Medicare , real Medicare , and private insurance substitute to Medicare . Again , during the week , I watched hundreds of advertisements by private insurance companies , Humana , Cigna , United Healthcare , telling viewers that they offer excellent Medicare plans , with tons of free services and more . What they do not say is what limits are set up to their plans and how difficult it will be for you to maintain your doctors . They are NOT Medicare . They are the private plans that received money from the government to replace the real Medicare . Some of you may benefit from these plans , especially if you are healthy and do not really use insurance a lot . But if you are an established patient with a list of doctors and medications , you better check if you can continue seeing these doctors . And do it before you sign anything . One of the factors that private substitutes keep pushing is the fact that sometimes their premiums are lower than regular Medicare . Sometimes . They receive millions from the government , an they apply so called ' savings ' to their plans , so yes , it is possible that your premium might be $ 10 or $ 20 less than Medicare . That may be a lot for some households , especially if you buy lots of medications . However , you need to read all the small print , because most private insurances have freedom to change the fees and charge you for not using their doctors . They also may limit how many times you can see doctors . There are many rules and regulations , often written in a language that is hardly understood by patients . Well , we sometimes do not understand that language either . But we try and our staff is really good at comparing the benefits and small prints . presented by Arlington Dermatology Most patients , when they get seriously ill , do not care who and how and how much . They and their families want the best , the most optimal care possible , so that they get better and quickly . When you go to the Emergency Room , they ask you for your IDs , but you do not ask them how much it will cost . Pain , heart , injury , whatever the emergency is makes us all vulnerable and eager to agree to everything as long as we can be helped . Sickness or injury does not select among factor . All of us can get sick and in need age , race , religions , politics , or any other of urgent assistance . If not assisted timely , we may get worse or die . Basic and urgent medical care are not a luxury but human rights . Unfortunately , not all of our patients are insured , and many do not get proper medical help until it is too late . Then , the cost of extended care is far beyond what they can pay , and they may delay it again . They may limit or alternate their medication and take half of what they of serious medical problems , are forced should , just to save money . Many , in cases into bankruptcy and unemployment . I think we are the only country in the world with cases like this . And it is very sad . It is also sad that many medical facilities take advantage of misfortune of uninsured , and they push them to a very poor mental health in addition to physical sickness . should not be . So , is your health about money ? It Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net