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I want coverage, not money. And yes, I realize that I can buy coverage with money, but it's really not the same thing. Especially when you look at the big picture. What will happen to the people who misspend their insurance money?

I agree.

right now we don't have health insurance with hubby's new job... we have to wait 90 days before we can get it..

when we do get it it is through Kaiser.. I have no idea how it works etc....

How it works...

You get sick and they ream you like a pornstar.

Ditto what Jenn said.

oh we have already been reamed by health insurance what I meant was I am not sure what the premiums and stuff will be yet...

Its confusing as hell - I had a filling done about a month ago. About 3 weeks ago I get a letter in the mail saying that my insurance paid out $25 of the roughly $125 submitted charges.

So I'm thinking that if $125 is what was billed I could expect a bill from the dentist for around $100. I haven't received anything so far.... What is confusing to me is that I called the dentist last week and they told me my account had been paid and there was nothing owing...

yeah that does get confusing... I have seen lots of charges when I check our account online saying that our health insurance didn't pay anything etc... but I have never got bills from the doctors etc...

Usually healthplans have special arrangments for reduced fees with their participating doctors. When I get a claim report it will show the regular fee as well as the reduced fee. The reduced fee is equal to what was paid out by my insurer, so I owe $0. There is always a significant discount to the insurer compared to what it would cost you out-of-pocket with no insurance.

Yes, #3

o yeah that reminds me.. a couple of my doctors tried to charge us the difference between the network discount and what our health insurance paid them i had to call a bunch of times to get those messes cleared up

I thought there would be more response to this poll!

I was just thinking more about the first option more. I would vote for that except for the fact that it would probably drive group premiums up (and my contribution by default) because the better risks would leave and drive up the group rate.

Btw, the third option in the second question is the closest to McCain's plan.

Have insurance from both employer. Husband's is HMO & mine is PPO with more choice of healthcare provider. I paid our share for insurance through my employer, his HMO does not cost anything.

I just want us covered.

I have health insurance through my employer and cannot really complain. I don't pay for it - only my co-pay when I need to go to the doctor (which is not very often).
But there is a downside, if I were to add my husband to my insurance we'd have to pay almost $400/month for him

Provides health insurance thank god

Yes, but I'm covered under my husband's.

Company pays 100% for myself, including life insurance
I pay $123.00 per pay period for the kids to be on the insurance