Obtaining Health Insurance: Individual vs. Group Plans

Thanks Mandy,

I discovered in trying to write this introduction that the Individual vs. Group Health Plan issue is too big for one little post.  But a discussion of Individual Plans is lost without comparing the two.

This is a bigger project which requires greater detail in comparing benefits and cost-sharing arrangements.

You know about that Tysabri Cost Project I'm doing?  Well so far the range of billed and paid expenses is amazing for a service/product which is exactly the same nationwide.

Some folks NEVER see a bill or EOB and pay $0 for their Tysabri infusions.  At least one person saw a bill for $12,785 and insurance paid $8000.  Another saw a bill for $4025, insurance paid $2315, and her co-pay averaged $100 per month over the year.  And for one more, the bill was $8735, insurance paid $2697, and her co-pay is $539 each month.

All of these various costs for the receiving the same monthly infusion.  It's enough to make your head spin.

Insurance is a complicated business, that's for sure.

Lisa

Thank you.  It has been a busy week and it's about to really pick up.  Phone ringing off the hook today, kids coming for the first week of lessons, etc. etc.

I've got more to talk about when it comes to insurance.  Keep an eye out for future posts.