Joe Armendariz: Many Uninsured Could ‘Self-Insure’ for Routine Health Procedures

» Lacking Insurance on 09.13.09 @ 11:05 PM

What Armendariz fails to mention are the number of people who might be able to afford health insurance but CANNOT get insurance due to such things as preexisting conditions.

While those people may be able to eventually get into the state’s high-risk pool, the premiums are outrageously expensive, at least double what someone would pay for a normal policy.

It’s obvious that that insurance companies want to cherry-pick the people they insure. And this will likely continue until some type of health care reform measure is passed.

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» jeanne on 09.14.09 @ 08:30 AM

Joe, your internet search results are very misleading. It is false advertising as far as my experience has shown: I am a healthy person who had back surgery (and completely recovered)some years ago. I am disqualified from most policies completely, and must pay extra for the one I was able to purchase. Just because it is posted online does NOT mean consumers will qualify, or that the rates will remain the same for more than a few months. The last increase I got was for over 35%. I am self-employed and must buy an individual policy.
Here is more ‘great news for the uninsured’: I was billed directly by a medical lab for a few tests last month - after I advised I had med insurance, they then billed the insurance company. As it falls under my deductible, I received an amended bill with the insurance ‘discount’ applied:  for an uninsured patient, the charges would have been $170.00 -  for an insured patient, they were $64.00   !!!! 

GREAT NEWS INDEED! but not for the uninsured. Until ALL citizens can buy reasonably priced health insurance, I think some changes are in order.  Clearly there are some major problems in the free-market approach we currently “enjoy” .

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» em on 09.14.09 @ 09:12 AM

This argument misses a key fact: that insurance companies are loathe to insure anyone with any health history. When I left my last job to move back to California, I could afford health insurance and would have happily paid for it, but was denied because of a series of migraines I had several years before. Other than that, I was extremely healthy. I was stuck paying COBRA from my previous job at $1,400 month for the family.

This is the case with many people I know, particularly professionals who leave group plans with a company to take on consulting or more entrepreneurial endeavors.

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» shocking on 09.14.09 @ 09:24 AM

I’m shocked, SHOCKED that Armendariz is loose with his selective facts and spin.  He needs a dose of reality about the health care crisis.

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» Goleta Gal on 09.14.09 @ 11:16 AM

You rock Joe! Yes, it’s true…people could forgo a few things like cable tv and afford health insurance. It’s a choice. Many people chose not to have health insurance and they still won’t sign up for it even when it is available for free. We currently have quite a few free or low-cost clinics available. There’s an Indian Clinic at the State street/154 exit that will see people for free and quite a few others in town as well. The only reform I see is one to help some of the pre-existing conditions get the health care they desperately need. Although, I’m not opposed to healthier living and the “Fat Camp” is not a bad idea either, but maybe the adults should attend too! If everyone took care of themselves and cut back on being couch potatoes then maybe we wouldn’t have to waste our tax dollars on this ridiculous health care plan that Obama is trying to pass.

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» Joe Armendariz on 09.14.09 @ 02:13 PM

I have already stated my support for an individual mandate with a guaranteed issue component which would lead to universal coverage.

Those individuals who have a pre-existing condition would and should be covered without exceptions and in some cases without limitations and this is true of most of the insurance reforms working their way through the Congress.

My article wasn’t intended as a comprehensive reform proposal…obviously I am aware of the challenges people with pre-existing conditions have securing adequate insurance coverage; I spent twenty years helping people secure coverage who were in that situation.

My objective was to focus attention on some facts and metrics related to the uninsured vis-a-vis annual income and to highlight some specific market oriented, consumer driven reforms that that could become effective solutions for many of those individuals.

Moreover, I specifically included in my article above the following caveat when discussing price and availability:

“assuming the person is reasonably healthy…”

I recognize there are several additional issues that need to be addressed as part of any intelligent reform package. Unfortunately, addressing them all in an 800+ word commentary isn’t a realistic proposition.

Joe Armendariz
5212 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, Ca, 93013
Office: 805.684.0678 • Mobile: 805.990.2494

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» Joe Rak on 09.14.09 @ 05:14 PM

Reality check.  A little math on that healthy 40 yr old male making $50k.  After tax is $37.5k, after insurance premium ($92x12= $1,104) leaves about $3k month for housing, food, clothing etc. This assumes no other medical costs like the deductible which is $2,500 yr or office visits which that policy doesn’t cover, or prescription drugs and if it’s major the policy only covers up to 80% of costs.  Great deal Joe and what if he is married to a female age 39 and has a son age 10 and daughter age 9?  Premium is $204 per month with same deductible etc. the policy is rated 2.5 out of 5 stars, I looked and couldn’t find a 5 star?.
I searched by doctor and no more than 18 GP’s Internal medicine doc’s came up.  If I had more time I’d call to see who was taking new patients.  Any bets?  I’d say maybe 3.  The fact is Americans spend an average of $7,290 a year on health care, more than twice the average for developed countries. Despite that, the United States lags in life expectancy, infant mortality and preventable deaths.  Our system is rated 37th in the world by the WHO.
How about a town hall meeting?  Invite both sides for an adult discussion of the facts.

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» Larry Saltzman on 09.15.09 @ 09:48 AM

We need every single citizen of this country covered with decent health insurance.  Private industry has demonstrated it is unwilling to do this. The government must intervene to bring us up to the standard of every other developed nation.

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