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Submitted on 12-30-10
Reply to 12/26/2010: 1) I always read and understand the medical insurance policy information provided online. I have never ask for or received the small print policy details so I am not aware of the definition of "preventative tests." 2) I know that Dupont provides me with group insurance at a fee. 3) I know that Dupont is not a health care provider or advisor. 4) I know that I am responsible for my health care. 5) I have a primary physician, who is a member of an Internal Medicine Practice. 6) I have an annual physical and I take no prescription or over the counter medications. 7) When I go for tests that are performed by a physician who specializes in an area other than internal medicine, I am usually writing a check to cover expenses until the deductible is met. My primary physician accepts the payments set by my insurance policy, but all specialized physicians do not. 8) I know that many physicians are fed up with the low fees enforced by insurance policies, but they continue to accept the patients to keep their practice. 9) I know that a few years ago, one large hospital group was so fed up with Anthem Insurance demands that they stopped admitting Anthem patients. 10) I know that the insurance company logo or name on my policy card is only that of a company contracted by Dupont. 11) My primary insurance coverage becomes Medicare as of January 1, 2011. I received my medicare card three months ago. A few days later, I made the obligatory call to MyInfo. I was assured that they had all the information needed to process my (Medicare) retiree insurance. I have no new 2011 card or letter or message in a bottle confirming my 2011 secondary medical insurance policy. 12) I know that I would prefer to never see another doctor and to never see the inside of a hospital. However, 26 years ago, the life of one of my children was saved by an excellent doctor who came to Louisville because an excellent medical facility was available for his very specialized work. DuPont medical insurance picked up that tab and I am forever grateful. 13) I know that my "12-26-2010 friend" is probably younger and healthier than I am and I wish him (just a guess) well with that 3 year preventative plan.
Submitted on 12-26-10
Routine-preventive tests-such as 3 year physicals are covered 100%. that includes routine-preventive blood tests etc. Keep in mind 3years! Just look at your plan and it tells all.
Submitted on 12-13-10
Cigna and Health Care : reply to 10/2010 message: How did you manage to get 2010 DuPont/Cigna Health Care coverage without the $1200. annual deductible? Let me guess. (1) You have not had an annual physical this year. (2) You have not had any preventative tests, such as colonoscopy, stress test, biopsy, sonogram, CT or MRI, mammogram, etc. You and I have been paying for the health care of thousands of others for decades. By the way, thanks for your monthly contributions to my Medicare (National Health Care) coverage, which will begin next year. Don\'t wait too long to go for preventative medical care, it can save your life, but it will cost more than your monthly premium and twenty bucks.
Submitted on 2-27-10
This message is from a 2008 LWE retiree under age 65 and insured by Cigna. Next week I have a routine preventative test scheduled. Three years ago that test with the same doctor at the same out patient facility cost me $76.00 Next week I must pay $503.00 up front even though the fee has not changed. In the last quarter of 2009, Cigna's net profit was $330 million with shares up $1.19 from the previous 77 cent increase and membership down 5.5% in the same time period. I am glad I can help them out in this tough economy. This year my healthcare premiums dropped $180.00, but one routine healthcare cost has already increased $427.00. Hold onto your health and your wallet!
Submitted on 3-1-10
That is why we need a NEW HEALTH CARE SYSTEM that is fair and equitable! Are you a tea-bagg{whoops!-CENSORED}- party person? or a ADVOCATE FOR REAL CHANGE? b.t.w.-I am an old{over 65} man who can actually THINK for himself!
Submitted on 3-2-10
To thinking man, 65 is the new 45 and you are covered by National Health Care Medicare, which Congress is ready to cut (gut.) No one over 50 (the new 35) is going to see "real change." But that's no reason not to vote or use your voice or donate your time and money to effect change. That\'s what real advocates do. If I can contribute $503.00 to Cigna's profits, I can also contribute to my own interest by screaming bloody murder in letters to my Congress people. We complain about big corporations and government, but we expect them to take care of us. Get busy. Retirement is not a perpetual "breakroom."
Submitted on 3-3-10
Here is an update to my message about the routine preventative test which is scheduled for Friday. I have to take a prescription medication on Thursday. Three years ago, for the same test, I took an OTC or non prescription medication. I suspect the doctor and pharmaceutical company are in cahoots. I went to Walgreens, where I payed $51.56 for TWO pills. It might have been cheaper somewhere else, but there's Walgreens on every corner and it was convenient. The retail cost was $67.99 and my insurance payed $16.43. How can TWO pills with no therapeutic value cost that much? How much of that cost was kicked back to the doctor by the pharmaceutical company for prescribing their product? Medco seems reasonable for long term meds. Are they in competition with local pharms for one time and short term meds? And why is there a Walgreens on every corner? For crying out loud, I'm not even sick!! Well, I am feeling a little woozy.
Submitted on 3-3-10
One more thing about the Friday routine preventative medical test: I am paying $503.00 up front on the fee to use the medical facility, which is owned by the group of doctors who use it. Today the doctor's billing office called to tell me that my Cigna insurance may not cover the entire doctor's fee, which is a separate cost. "That's okay," I said. "When the bill comes, I will just hock a few things or sell my car." The billing person replied, "We take credit cards." I'm not sick, am I?
Submitted on 3-8-10
Attached is a graphic comparing health care cost vs life expectancy in 21 countries. The popular belief that our expensive health care is the best in the world is not indicated by our life expectancy.
Submitted on 3-8-10
The United States is the world's richest nation, but it is the only industrialized democracy in the world that does not provide health care for all it's citizens. Is single payer (Medicare) the answer? What are our priorities? How does health care rank in our personal budget? The out of pocket cost of my recent medical test increased 650% for the same test 3 years ago, when my out of pocket was $76.00. According to the physicians billing office, the actual fee for the test has not increased in three years. Okay, I have markers that indicate that I should repeat this test in three more years. If the out of pocket cost increases at the same rate and the fee remains the same, the next test should cost me $830.00. The main argument against National Healthcare seems to be the cost to taxpayers. Actually, the cost would be to healthcare coporations and pharmaceuticals when their profits decrease. Can we afford to pay giant companies to mete out our healthcare?
Submitted on 3-10-10
Re: Health Care You can't read the health care spending vs life expectancy graphic unless you log in. If you have not seen Michael Moore's documentary "SICKO," rent it and learn about the health care industry and medical care world wide. Wendell Potter, a Cigna vice president, turned whistle blower, has testified in a Senate hearing about the abuses at Cigna. His interviews and statements are available on the internet. His book will be released in October 2010. Be an informed voter. Your Congress person is caught between the health care lobby that provides millions if dollars in campaign support and the citizens who are paying a relatively greater price for mediocre service from their health care providers. It's easy to send an email or a letter to your Senator or House Rep or candidate.
Submitted on 3-18-10
The U.S. House may vote on the Health Care bill Sunday. That means there is still plenty of time for everyone to call or email their Congress person(s). I saw somewhere that the phone lines and websites are swamped. Tell them how you feel, yes or no. Remind them that they work for you.
Submitted on 3-22-10
My first post about healthcare is dated 2/27/2010. On March 5th I had a diagnostic procedure done for early detection of disease, including cancer. Lab results were negative for all disease. That's the good news. Today I received my statement from Cigna. They payed 0. I payed a total of $552.96. Only $49.96 was credited to my deductible. I called Cigna. They claim that they payed according to my benefit plan. I only have to be yanked around by Cigna for 10 more months, which is scary, but I have no choice. Very early next year, Medicare (National Healthcare) will be my primary insurance. That's when I stop contributing to Cigna's profits and bonuses. I feel better already!
Submitted on 4-12-10
Today I received an Explanation of benefits from Cigna, subtitled, adjustment of a previously processed claim. I payed $500. + for a medical procedure in March. Cigna refused to pay that claim and also refused to apply that amount to my $500 annual deductible. Now they have reversed their decison and they have applied $413.27 to my deductible. Wow! Thanks Cigna! Only $86.73 to go until I reach my full deductible. I feel like I won the lottery.
Submitted on 10-8-2010
Routine and preventive care is covered 100% except for a $20 co-pay. If you pay more than that, you got ripped. But just wait a few years and you will be paying for eveyones healthcare!!!!!!
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