Comments for Goodhealth-108 http://goodhealth-108.com A weblog for persons who interested in good health and self health care information and resources. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:19:55 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 Comment on Do Not Resuscitate: Why the Health Insurance Industry is Dying, and How We Must Replace It by Anonymous http://goodhealth-108.com/do-not-resuscitate-why-the-health-insurance-industry-is-dying-and-how-we-must-replace-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1378 Anonymous Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:19:55 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/do-not-resuscitate-why-the-health-insurance-industry-is-dying-and-how-we-must-replace-it/#comment-1378 In this highly researched and well-written book, Dr. John Geyman lays out in clear language the repeated failure of the private health insurance industry to provide affordable and comprehensive coverage. With a wealth of facts and figures, Dr. Geyman shows how the continuous rise of health care costs has meant insurance companies must work hard at excluding anyone who might require expensive treatment, reduce coverage for everyone and constantly raise premium rates. This has led to awareness on the part of the public that their insurance may not protect them from medical bankruptcy. Americans now see that a serious illness can mean huge debt, wipe out their retirement savings and even mean selling their home to pay the bills. The insurance industry was not always as focused on profits as it is now. Geyman takes us on a tour through the history of private coverage, showing how the original Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans were about spreading risk across a broad pool and keeping coverage affordable. As commercial carriers came into the market, they brought with them "medical underwriting" which looks at applicants in terms of how much they might cost the company. For-profit companies structured their coverage to minimize their risk (by denying coverage to those who need it the most) and maximize their profits. The Blues could not survive without doing the same thing. Today, most of the Blue Cross companies are for-profit, many having been acquired by one of the big players in health insurance. While Congress has required employer-sponsored group insurance to take everyone in the group and charge them all the same rate, companies are free to deny coverage to people who apply on their own and to offer unaffordable rates to older, sicker people. Companies have a long list of risk factors that trigger a denial. Here's some reasons used by California insurers in 2006 to deny coverage: attention deficit disorder, breast implants, infertility, herpes, gender reassignment, migraines, miscarriage, bed-wetting, ringworm, varicose veins. . . and that's not all. While these companies like to disparage government health care programs, they have been quick to profit from these same programs. The Bush administration didn't think it worthwhile to increase funding for SCHIP (the Children's Health Insurance program) but allowed private insurance to profit by offering "Medicare Advantage" policies to Medicare recipients and pay them more than the cost of original Medicare. The administration gave a windfall to the pharmaceutical industry through its so-called drug benefit; this is a boondoggle that is totally structured to "benefit" only the insurance industry and the drug companies. Insurance companies have also been allowed into Medicaid, which is administered by the states, and, though it is supposed to cover health care for the poor, often has such a low threshhold that few qualify (and when they qualify, they have to constantly requalify). It is partly this rush to profit from government programs that leads Geyman to his conclusion that the health insurance industry is dying. With Americans demanding reform, the current health insurance industry has two enormous costs that are not present in publicly-funded coverage: The huge profits they take out and their lower efficiency. AVOIDING "MEDICAL LOSS" Health insurance companies regard the payments they make for subscribers' health care as "medical loss. " Most try to keep this "loss" at under 80% (meaning they keep 20% of premium payment for administration and profit). The largest health insurance companies have been hugely profitable for their shareholders. Private insurance is massively less efficient than public insurance because of the large workforce needed to do underwriting, claims processing and denials. Between 2000 and 2005, despite a drop in the number of people with private insurance, their workforce grew by one third. How can this industry possibly bring down the cost of health care and provide affordable coverage? They can't. Geyman explains that the industry "is pricing itself beyond the reach of a declining private market, even as it seeks out a broader, subsidized role in public programs. " WHAT VALUE? Geyman discusses something not mentioned by supporters of reform involving keeping private insurance, and that is the fact that they are allowed to offer so-called "insurance" that is so skimpy it really provides no protection. Many are marketing "Limited Benefit Policies" (LBP) to younger and lower-paid workers. A major health insurer caps hospital benefits at $2000 and accident/ER benefits at $1000. I know from my own experience in an ER a few years ago that bills are typically much higher than that (mine was around $2500 for 4 hours in the ER!). That $2000 hospital cap will barely pay for sheets and aspirin. Interestingly, Geyman also mentions "Medigap" plans as low value. My husband turned 65 one year ago and we studied the government Medicare website to get information on these plans. I was delighted to find that these plans are regulated according to what's covered and identified by letter (plan A, plan B, etc). We looked at all of them, got costs from different companies and looked at my husband's usual use of medical services and concluded that these plans were not a good deal. Over the long run, we would be better off paying out of pocket costs not covered by Medicare. We concluded the same thing about the so-called drug benefit. None of the plans were cheaper than just paying for the relatively inexpensive medications my husband takes. Geyman explores the various incremental reforms that have been tried and shows how none have solved the problem. During the 2008 presidential campaign, we heard about "mandates" that, along with community rating (charging everyone the same rate) and guaranteed issue (having to take all who appy), was supposed to insure everyone and bring down costs. But employer mandates are ineffective because of the inherent weaknesses and unfairness in a system relying on employer-sponsored insurance. The "individual mandate" as implemented in Massachusetts has proved unworkable as well, as the state agency (the Connector) tasked with making sure everyone has coverage has exempted thousands of people from the fines because they cannot offer these people any coverage they can actually afford. The idea that insurance companies will "compete for your business" is an absurdity, given the priorities of health insurance companies (low "medical loss" and high profits for shareholders). Geyman states the problem clearly: ". . . private insurers don't compete with each other by delivering better care at lower cost. That would be in line with what is understood as a classical form of competition where the consumer comes out on top. Insurance competition is different: Who can avoid the most enrollees with higher medical costs, and who is most effective at delaying or denying payment when they can?" READ THIS BOOK! This book was written before the financial meltdown and the election of President Obama, but Geyman mentions the possibility of serious recession a number of times in the book. Geyman has done his homework. Every chapter has a huge bibliography, with all sources listed. The book is full of charts and tables. Geyman is not just expressing his own negative opinion of the industry, but writes from facts. I highly recommend this book as the best exposition of why private insurance cannot get us to universal, affordable health care. In this highly researched and well-written book, Dr. John Geyman lays out in clear language the repeated failure of the private health insurance industry to provide affordable and comprehensive coverage. With a wealth of facts and figures, Dr. Geyman shows how the continuous rise of health care costs has meant insurance companies must work hard at excluding anyone who might require expensive treatment, reduce coverage for everyone and constantly raise premium rates. This has led to awareness on the part of the public that their insurance may not protect them from medical bankruptcy. Americans now see that a serious illness can mean huge debt, wipe out their retirement savings and even mean selling their home to pay the bills. The insurance industry was not always as focused on profits as it is now. Geyman takes us on a tour through the history of private coverage, showing how the original Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans were about spreading risk across a broad pool and keeping coverage affordable. As commercial carriers came into the market, they brought with them “medical underwriting” which looks at applicants in terms of how much they might cost the company. For-profit companies structured their coverage to minimize their risk (by denying coverage to those who need it the most) and maximize their profits. The Blues could not survive without doing the same thing. Today, most of the Blue Cross companies are for-profit, many having been acquired by one of the big players in health insurance. While Congress has required employer-sponsored group insurance to take everyone in the group and charge them all the same rate, companies are free to deny coverage to people who apply on their own and to offer unaffordable rates to older, sicker people. Companies have a long list of risk factors that trigger a denial. Here’s some reasons used by California insurers in 2006 to deny coverage: attention deficit disorder, breast implants, infertility, herpes, gender reassignment, migraines, miscarriage, bed-wetting, ringworm, varicose veins. . . and that’s not all. While these companies like to disparage government health care programs, they have been quick to profit from these same programs. The Bush administration didn’t think it worthwhile to increase funding for SCHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance program) but allowed private insurance to profit by offering “Medicare Advantage” policies to Medicare recipients and pay them more than the cost of original Medicare. The administration gave a windfall to the pharmaceutical industry through its so-called drug benefit; this is a boondoggle that is totally structured to “benefit” only the insurance industry and the drug companies. Insurance companies have also been allowed into Medicaid, which is administered by the states, and, though it is supposed to cover health care for the poor, often has such a low threshhold that few qualify (and when they qualify, they have to constantly requalify). It is partly this rush to profit from government programs that leads Geyman to his conclusion that the health insurance industry is dying. With Americans demanding reform, the current health insurance industry has two enormous costs that are not present in publicly-funded coverage: The huge profits they take out and their lower efficiency. AVOIDING “MEDICAL LOSS” Health insurance companies regard the payments they make for subscribers’ health care as “medical loss. ” Most try to keep this “loss” at under 80% (meaning they keep 20% of premium payment for administration and profit). The largest health insurance companies have been hugely profitable for their shareholders. Private insurance is massively less efficient than public insurance because of the large workforce needed to do underwriting, claims processing and denials. Between 2000 and 2005, despite a drop in the number of people with private insurance, their workforce grew by one third. How can this industry possibly bring down the cost of health care and provide affordable coverage? They can’t. Geyman explains that the industry “is pricing itself beyond the reach of a declining private market, even as it seeks out a broader, subsidized role in public programs. “ WHAT VALUE? Geyman discusses something not mentioned by supporters of reform involving keeping private insurance, and that is the fact that they are allowed to offer so-called “insurance” that is so skimpy it really provides no protection. Many are marketing “Limited Benefit Policies” (LBP) to younger and lower-paid workers. A major health insurer caps hospital benefits at $2000 and accident/ER benefits at $1000. I know from my own experience in an ER a few years ago that bills are typically much higher than that (mine was around $2500 for 4 hours in the ER!). That $2000 hospital cap will barely pay for sheets and aspirin. Interestingly, Geyman also mentions “Medigap” plans as low value. My husband turned 65 one year ago and we studied the government Medicare website to get information on these plans. I was delighted to find that these plans are regulated according to what’s covered and identified by letter (plan A, plan B, etc). We looked at all of them, got costs from different companies and looked at my husband’s usual use of medical services and concluded that these plans were not a good deal. Over the long run, we would be better off paying out of pocket costs not covered by Medicare. We concluded the same thing about the so-called drug benefit. None of the plans were cheaper than just paying for the relatively inexpensive medications my husband takes. Geyman explores the various incremental reforms that have been tried and shows how none have solved the problem. During the 2008 presidential campaign, we heard about “mandates” that, along with community rating (charging everyone the same rate) and guaranteed issue (having to take all who appy), was supposed to insure everyone and bring down costs. But employer mandates are ineffective because of the inherent weaknesses and unfairness in a system relying on employer-sponsored insurance. The “individual mandate” as implemented in Massachusetts has proved unworkable as well, as the state agency (the Connector) tasked with making sure everyone has coverage has exempted thousands of people from the fines because they cannot offer these people any coverage they can actually afford. The idea that insurance companies will “compete for your business” is an absurdity, given the priorities of health insurance companies (low “medical loss” and high profits for shareholders). Geyman states the problem clearly: “. . . private insurers don’t compete with each other by delivering better care at lower cost. That would be in line with what is understood as a classical form of competition where the consumer comes out on top. Insurance competition is different: Who can avoid the most enrollees with higher medical costs, and who is most effective at delaying or denying payment when they can?” READ THIS BOOK! This book was written before the financial meltdown and the election of President Obama, but Geyman mentions the possibility of serious recession a number of times in the book. Geyman has done his homework. Every chapter has a huge bibliography, with all sources listed. The book is full of charts and tables. Geyman is not just expressing his own negative opinion of the industry, but writes from facts. I highly recommend this book as the best exposition of why private insurance cannot get us to universal, affordable health care.

]]> Comment on Do Not Resuscitate: Why the Health Insurance Industry is Dying, and How We Must Replace It by Valerian http://goodhealth-108.com/do-not-resuscitate-why-the-health-insurance-industry-is-dying-and-how-we-must-replace-it/comment-page-1/#comment-1377 Valerian Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:11:18 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/do-not-resuscitate-why-the-health-insurance-industry-is-dying-and-how-we-must-replace-it/#comment-1377 Physician John Geyman, emeritus professor at the University of Washington medical school, lays out a detailed and compelling case for a single-payer national health insurance program for the United States. Geyman traces the development of the private insurance industry from its non-profit beginnings to the profit-seeking, risk-avoiding behemoth of today. He then dissects industry practices, including denial of coverage, bait and switch, policy cancellation, limited benefit policies, inadequate disclosure, deceptive marketing, and outright fraud. He debunks the most pervasive myths about health and health care, then discusses how the industry is coming under increasing stress as employer-sponsored insurance declines and individual policies cannot fill the gap because of their exorbitant expense and inadequate benefits. Chapter Six, "Saving Lives or Saving the Industry?" should be read by every politician in this country, as Geyman eviscerates the incremental "reform" plans of the last 30 years, including failing individual mandate plans like the "Massachusetts Miracle. " Geyman next examines insurance industry spin, the current battle over SCHIP, and the array of forces against fundamental reform. He concludes by outlining a national insurance program which would fold in existing federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP, financed by payroll and income taxes to replace private insurance premiums. About $350 billion yearly could be saved by administrative simplification and bulk purchasing. If I could force Barack Obama (or John McCain, for that matter) to read one book, this would be it. Physician John Geyman, emeritus professor at the University of Washington medical school, lays out a detailed and compelling case for a single-payer national health insurance program for the United States. Geyman traces the development of the private insurance industry from its non-profit beginnings to the profit-seeking, risk-avoiding behemoth of today. He then dissects industry practices, including denial of coverage, bait and switch, policy cancellation, limited benefit policies, inadequate disclosure, deceptive marketing, and outright fraud. He debunks the most pervasive myths about health and health care, then discusses how the industry is coming under increasing stress as employer-sponsored insurance declines and individual policies cannot fill the gap because of their exorbitant expense and inadequate benefits. Chapter Six, “Saving Lives or Saving the Industry?” should be read by every politician in this country, as Geyman eviscerates the incremental “reform” plans of the last 30 years, including failing individual mandate plans like the “Massachusetts Miracle. “ Geyman next examines insurance industry spin, the current battle over SCHIP, and the array of forces against fundamental reform. He concludes by outlining a national insurance program which would fold in existing federal programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP, financed by payroll and income taxes to replace private insurance premiums. About $350 billion yearly could be saved by administrative simplification and bulk purchasing. If I could force Barack Obama (or John McCain, for that matter) to read one book, this would be it.

]]> Comment on Insurance for Dummies by Psyche http://goodhealth-108.com/insurance-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-1374 Psyche Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:16:52 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/insurance-for-dummies/#comment-1374 This review is from: Insurance for Dummies (Paperback) This book is worth its weight in gold. I originally picked it up while doing research on life insurance options. But after reading the first chapter on auto insurance, we called our agent, raised our libability limits and deductibles, got rid of unnecessary coverage and ended up saving ourselves $250 a year! The author, who has worked in the insurance industry for years, makes things plain and simple and illustrates his points with easy-to-understand charts. Now I feel like we actually have a clue about what we're buying, and I feel much more secure knowing we'll likely be well covered in the event of a catastrophe. This should be on every homeowner's bookshelf. This review is from: Insurance for Dummies (Paperback)

This book is worth its weight in gold. I originally picked it up while doing research on life insurance options. But after reading the first chapter on auto insurance, we called our agent, raised our libability limits and deductibles, got rid of unnecessary coverage and ended up saving ourselves $250 a year! The author, who has worked in the insurance industry for years, makes things plain and simple and illustrates his points with easy-to-understand charts. Now I feel like we actually have a clue about what we’re buying, and I feel much more secure knowing we’ll likely be well covered in the event of a catastrophe. This should be on every homeowner’s bookshelf.

]]> Comment on Insurance for Dummies by Yale http://goodhealth-108.com/insurance-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-1373 Yale Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:04:50 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/insurance-for-dummies/#comment-1373 Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Insurance for Dummies (Paperback) I know I'm getting older when I start reading and writing reviews about insurance books. I'm not a big fan of the "dummies" books for a few reasons: (1) First my ego. . . I have to admit I don't want a book on my shelf that is a dummy guide for anything, and (2) I don't want to buy another reference book that is going to sit on my shelf and collect dust. I purchased this book b/c I had big questions about car insurance, life insurance, and umbrella policies. No concerns about house insurance, which seemed to be the biggest complaint about the book. Quite frankly, it answered all of my questions. Before reading this book, I didn't even know the difference between collision, liability, and comprehensive insurance; and I had no clue how much insurance I should carry for that "break glass in case of emergency" type accident. And like all of the dummy books, the text is informative while remaining engaging , and actually entertaining-even though the subject is insurance. I actually feel empowered after reading this book. It led me to purchase an inexpensive umbrella policy (if you don' t have one, you need it) that will certainly make me sleep better at night. This is one of those books that after you read/reference it, you'll wonder how you ever operated in the past without the knowledge it contains. Don't put too much trust in earthly treasures, but you should certainly protect what you do have! Recommended. Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Insurance for Dummies (Paperback)

I know I’m getting older when I start reading and writing reviews about insurance books. I’m not a big fan of the “dummies” books for a few reasons: (1) First my ego. . . I have to admit I don’t want a book on my shelf that is a dummy guide for anything, and (2) I don’t want to buy another reference book that is going to sit on my shelf and collect dust. I purchased this book b/c I had big questions about car insurance, life insurance, and umbrella policies. No concerns about house insurance, which seemed to be the biggest complaint about the book. Quite frankly, it answered all of my questions. Before reading this book, I didn’t even know the difference between collision, liability, and comprehensive insurance; and I had no clue how much insurance I should carry for that “break glass in case of emergency” type accident. And like all of the dummy books, the text is informative while remaining engaging , and actually entertaining-even though the subject is insurance. I actually feel empowered after reading this book. It led me to purchase an inexpensive umbrella policy (if you don’ t have one, you need it) that will certainly make me sleep better at night. This is one of those books that after you read/reference it, you’ll wonder how you ever operated in the past without the knowledge it contains. Don’t put too much trust in earthly treasures, but you should certainly protect what you do have! Recommended.

]]> Comment on Health Economics by Gunhilda http://goodhealth-108.com/health-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-1371 Gunhilda Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:20:43 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/health-economics/#comment-1371 This review is from: Health Economics (3rd Edition) (Hardcover) This textbook is a wonderfully written introduction to health care economics. It takes complex issues and presents them in a somewhat simplified manner while not losing the quality of the information. This review is from: Health Economics (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

This textbook is a wonderfully written introduction to health care economics. It takes complex issues and presents them in a somewhat simplified manner while not losing the quality of the information.

]]> Comment on Health Economics by Anonymous http://goodhealth-108.com/health-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-1370 Anonymous Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:04:44 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/health-economics/#comment-1370 Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Health Economics (3rd Edition) (Hardcover) I was interested in better understanding the complex issues regarding healthcare reform. This book fullfilled this role and provided me with a clear understanding of the overall healthcare economy. The author does an excellent job integrating published economic research into a thorough unbiased summary of healthcare economics. The book provides numerous references. I recommend this book to all. A prior understanding of basic microeconomics is desirable but not necessary for understanding this book. Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Health Economics (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I was interested in better understanding the complex issues regarding healthcare reform. This book fullfilled this role and provided me with a clear understanding of the overall healthcare economy. The author does an excellent job integrating published economic research into a thorough unbiased summary of healthcare economics. The book provides numerous references. I recommend this book to all. A prior understanding of basic microeconomics is desirable but not necessary for understanding this book.

]]> Comment on Health Economics by Bayarmaa http://goodhealth-108.com/health-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-1369 Bayarmaa Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:08:36 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/health-economics/#comment-1369 This review is from: Health Economics (2nd Edition) (Hardcover) Having spent almost 10 years teaching health economics, I've read and used quite a few of the texts books that are around. Phelps' "Health Economics" is quite simply the best I've read bar none. Its coverage is as comprehensive as one would want in a book of this type covering the standard demand, supply and policy issues as well as looking at specific aspects of the health economy such as medical malpractice. It is written largely from a US perspective but is by no means insular. What I found particularly commendable in this book was its style and structure. Many books cover much of the material that is covered here but none in a fashion that is as readable, articulate or clear. Appendices are used to deal with technical issues (and deal with them in a way most students with a basic knowledge of economics will actually work through) while examples are used to provide an intuition that is often absent from other texts. I cannot recommend the book highly enough for teaching at an undergraduate level or non-specialist postgrad level. I also recommend it as a good read for those working in the area of health economics. Quite simply a cracking book. This review is from: Health Economics (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

Having spent almost 10 years teaching health economics, I’ve read and used quite a few of the texts books that are around. Phelps’ “Health Economics” is quite simply the best I’ve read bar none. Its coverage is as comprehensive as one would want in a book of this type covering the standard demand, supply and policy issues as well as looking at specific aspects of the health economy such as medical malpractice. It is written largely from a US perspective but is by no means insular. What I found particularly commendable in this book was its style and structure. Many books cover much of the material that is covered here but none in a fashion that is as readable, articulate or clear. Appendices are used to deal with technical issues (and deal with them in a way most students with a basic knowledge of economics will actually work through) while examples are used to provide an intuition that is often absent from other texts. I cannot recommend the book highly enough for teaching at an undergraduate level or non-specialist postgrad level. I also recommend it as a good read for those working in the area of health economics. Quite simply a cracking book.

]]> Comment on ABC News Specials Breakdown: America’s Health Insurance Crisis by Valkyrie http://goodhealth-108.com/abc-news-specials-breakdown-americas-health-insurance-crisis-2/comment-page-1/#comment-1366 Valkyrie Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:40:13 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/abc-news-specials-breakdown-americas-health-insurance-crisis-2/#comment-1366 If you don't like reading books, then at least view this documentary. I happen to think all of us need to continue to connect with others, to share our own experiences with the health care system and to try and change things for the better. While this documentary is far from perfect, it will get you thinking about how and why things have changed for the worse for so many people in America and why even those WITH insurance have problems getting reimbursed by their health insurance companies, have to fill out reams of paperwork again and again and get denied coverage for care that is critical for their survival, not "experimental" procedure, but good, decent care. If we're paying for it, why aren't we getting it? And for those who can't even afford health insurance, what solutions are possible?I'd also suggest you have a look at this: Sicko If you don’t like reading books, then at least view this documentary. I happen to think all of us need to continue to connect with others, to share our own experiences with the health care system and to try and change things for the better. While this documentary is far from perfect, it will get you thinking about how and why things have changed for the worse for so many people in America and why even those WITH insurance have problems getting reimbursed by their health insurance companies, have to fill out reams of paperwork again and again and get denied coverage for care that is critical for their survival, not “experimental” procedure, but good, decent care. If we’re paying for it, why aren’t we getting it? And for those who can’t even afford health insurance, what solutions are possible?I’d also suggest you have a look at this: Sicko

]]> Comment on Hassle-Free Health Coverage: How to Buy the Right Medical Insurance Cheaply and Effectively by Timber http://goodhealth-108.com/hassle-free-health-coverage-how-to-buy-the-right-medical-insurance-cheaply-and-effectively/comment-page-1/#comment-1365 Timber Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:53:27 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/hassle-free-health-coverage-how-to-buy-the-right-medical-insurance-cheaply-and-effectively/#comment-1365 A client asked me for a book that explained the basics of health insurance. I surprized him and myself when I said I didn't know one. So I looked everywhere. The books that are comprehensive are technical tomes for people in the industry. The ones that are for lay people are oversimplified and condescending. This is the only book that I found that's both comprehensive and for consumers. I'm glad this publisher does books on insurance for ordinary people. But I'm still surprized there aren't more books on medical insurance for consumers. It's a critical issue! A client asked me for a book that explained the basics of health insurance. I surprized him and myself when I said I didn’t know one. So I looked everywhere. The books that are comprehensive are technical tomes for people in the industry. The ones that are for lay people are oversimplified and condescending. This is the only book that I found that’s both comprehensive and for consumers. I’m glad this publisher does books on insurance for ordinary people. But I’m still surprized there aren’t more books on medical insurance for consumers. It’s a critical issue!

]]> Comment on The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance-and Still Get the Coverage You Need by Anonymous http://goodhealth-108.com/the-insurance-maze-how-you-can-save-money-on-insurance-and-still-get-the-coverage-you-need/comment-page-1/#comment-1361 Anonymous Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:28:42 +0000 http://goodhealth-108.com/the-insurance-maze-how-you-can-save-money-on-insurance-and-still-get-the-coverage-you-need/#comment-1361 As newlyweds with a new home, new car, and plans to start a family, we realized that we had to re-examine our insurance needs. After browsing through a bunch of other books on insurance, we found that this really covered everything we needed to know in clear, simple language. We learned some things that really surprised us in every category of insurance and this book really helped us make the right choices for our situation. We anticipate saving quite a bit of money after following the advice in this book, rather than just blindly selecting the insurance policies that we either already had, or that friends/family recommended. Highly recommended as a great overview guide to insurance. As newlyweds with a new home, new car, and plans to start a family, we realized that we had to re-examine our insurance needs. After browsing through a bunch of other books on insurance, we found that this really covered everything we needed to know in clear, simple language. We learned some things that really surprised us in every category of insurance and this book really helped us make the right choices for our situation. We anticipate saving quite a bit of money after following the advice in this book, rather than just blindly selecting the insurance policies that we either already had, or that friends/family recommended. Highly recommended as a great overview guide to insurance.

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