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From: B Geres (no email)
Date: Wed Dec 03 2003 - 10:59:49 EST
Guilty as charged. Back in the 1980's I was part of
the team rolling out BCBS HMO's (a brand-new concept
here in the southeast at the time). After a few years,
I was recruited away from BCBS by docs who needed help
organizing their own competing physician-owned HMO.
But it was after I left managed care and put on my
provider hat (at one time running a group of inpatient
rehab facilities) that I came to appreciate their
insurance best. I've been out of the game entirely for
several years (teaching on the college level now) but
at least up until 1995, BCBS was the card to carry in
the states I did business in (Washington State, Texas,
Kentucky, New York, South and North Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Tennesee and Alabama).
BCBS had a reputation for UNDERSTANDING healthcare
reimbursement (it wasn't just a sideline as might be
the case with companies like Aetna), they had
long-standing relationships with providers of all
kinds (although they may have soured in recent years
at least theres a basic understanding among providers
on how to file a claim and how to work the system),
BCBS traditionally maintained a low overhead (2% on
average) using any "profit" to build reserves (not
heavily line the pockets of investors), they used
community rating on most of their products (making
insurance attainable for the elderly and those with a
marginal health history), BCBS also had a strong
public service mission (although I gather they have
been less sucessful attaining that goal lately).
Lastly, when I traveled internationally, I found that
BCBS was FAR more recognized and accepted than
competing insurers (although the issue of using US
health insurance outside the States is complex at
best).
But, yes, these are "macro" issues and when it comes
to buying insurance for your cruise, you have to weigh
very personal issues that affect you on a personal
level.... where will you travel? How confident are you
that you'd receive an adequate quality of care where
your travels take you? Do you need coverage for the
most catastrophic care only or do you want coverage
for routine matters? How much can you afford? What
does "value" mean to you where healthcare and
insurance is concerned? How well educated are you
willing to become where it comes to treating yourself
and your family? Are you looking for insurance to
bridge the gap between employer-sponsored insurance
and medicare? It's all such a personal decision and
there are so many variables theres no single best
answer.
But, again, I'm rambling. Bottom line is like I said
before - your best investment in this area is not on
insurance, but in getting yourself in top shape before
you go and making healthy lifestyle changes now and
down the road. Based upon my own experience on the
water and by observing cruisers who come into our free
clinic I'd say simply casting off the lines is one of
the healthiest things you can do.
Heck, I have a friend who was at death's door six
years ago between diabetes and heart trouble and
obesity. Five years they've been out now. She's
getting more exercise, eating better, getting fresh
air, downshifted to a slower pace with less stress.
Today her weight is ideal, she's fit, she's off the
heart medication, off antidepressives and has reduced
her need for insulin. In short, she's been able to
make the whole health insurance issue a lower
priority. Now, thats a healthy choice!
original Message Follows----
> From: "ocean_dancer2001"
> I'll go out on
> a limb here and say that I suspect you worked for
> Blue Cross/Blue
> Shield at one time?
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