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Linda
Brandwin, R.N.
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Linda
Brandwin
is a registered nurse and a medical billing
and claims specialist. For the past 10 years
she has worked directly with insurance companies
to give advice and guidance to the health care
consumer.
Readers may send email
or write Linda Brandwin at 5500 Single Oak Hill
Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.
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Employer
is providing catastrophic policy
June 4, 2004
Q:
About nine months ago I found out that I was diabetic.
Now my boss is lowering our coverage at work because
he says he can not afford to maintain the same coverage.
We will only have hospitalization and no doctor visits.
There will be a $5000 deductible and an $8000 deductible
for out of pocket. Can you suggest anything?
A:
Insurance premiums have gone up at least ten percent
for the last three years. In many cases it has been
closer to twenty percent. Businesses have really been
hard hit by these increases. Many employers are struggling
to offer any kind of medical benefits to their employees.
And some employers are actually going out of business
because they simply can not afford the insurance premiums.
Your
employer is providing you what amounts to a catastrophic
policy. If you have a devastating medical condition
requiring hospitalization, the policy will eventually
kick in so you will not experience a devastating financial
hardship. That is the purpose of this policy.
There
are only two suggestions I have. You can either get
medical insurance on your own or look for another job
that will provide you with better benefits. I have a
feeling your employer is well aware of the second option
and knows he is risking losing his employees over these
medical benefits. Obviously, he may not have any other
options available to him.
In
your situation since you were just diagnosed with diabetes,
having good medical coverage may be a priority. You
will have to evaluate what choices are best for you
and make a decision accordingly.
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