Health Insurance Doesn't Prevent Huge Out of Pocket Costs

empty_pockets.jpgOver the last three years, according to research published in Health Affairs, out-of-pocket healthcare costs have increased 34% says WSJ.

Even having health insurance, it would seem doesn't appear to protect the average American against the rapidly escalating costs of health care and to prevent the health care system from taking a big bite out of household budgets.

The general consensus is that everyone is just paying more: employers paying more for premiums and employees paying more for co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs. In short, healthcare is just getting more expensive period.

The solution: no one seems to know. What we do know, according to this research, is that even insured Americans are underinsured and are paying it through the nose, or I guess, right out of their pockets. This seems downright unacceptable and time for a change.

Summer Johnson, PhD

contribute a comment

Your contributions to the conversation are very much appreciated. We do have a few simple guidelines, though. Be civil. Stay on topic. We reserve the right to remove comments that violate the aforementioned guidelines. One more thing: comments are moderated, so it may take a little while for your comment to be posted. Thanks.

what is this?

A 'Nature Top 50' science blog by the editors, staff and friends of The American Journal of Bioethics. Science writes: "To follow the latest twists in ... science stories with social impact, dive into this Web log"

The original story behind this blog

What people are saying about blog.bioethics.net

recently on blog.bioethics.net

March Issue of AJOB is Now Online!

Trans fat bans, peer recruitment for human subjects research, and the clash of culture versus the rights of physicians are the featured issues in this... (more)

Trans Fats Today. Hot Dogs Tomorrow?

Will banning artificial trans fats today effect your ability to have a hot dog tomorrow? On the The Bioethics Channel, Lorell LaBoube seeks an answer... (more)

Looking for Dr. Right? Get Yours via Speed Date!

Want to find your "Dr. Right"? Now, you can! You can meet your next doctor on a "speed date." Dne Texas hospital is trying its... (more)

End of Life-ology

William King is dying from MS. His two twenty-something sons, Ennis and Malcolm, already lost their mother to cancer 15 years earlier and now must... (more)

If You Are STILL Wondering Why Health Care Reform Is Important...

Check out this statistic from the Chicago Tribune today: "Illinois consumers to pay up to 60% more [for health insurance premiums], data show." When do... (more)

this blog's feed

  • Subscribe
    • XML
    • Google Reader or Homepage
    • Add to My Yahoo!
    • Subscribe with Bloglines
    • Subscribe in NewsGator Online
    • Add to My AOL
    • Convert RSS to PDF
    • Add to Technorati Favorites!
    • Add to your phone
    • Get RSS Buttons

info

archives

tags