insurance industry

Part III: The Opportunity

“If you change a patient’s appointment don’t forget to enter a reason why in the comment field. Do you know, is he a H.M.O., P.P.O. or P.O.S.?”“Probably a P.O.S.” I thought, chuckling as I kept the...

How Insurers Fail to Serve Their Customers

In 2001, a patient at age 22 crashes their car and is found to be in ventricular fibrillation by police who arrive on the scene. Amazingly, patient is successfully defibrillated before being removed...

In-ies or Out-ies

Are you an in-network doctor or out-of-network doctor? You know, an "In"-ie or "Out"-ie? Depends on the insurer, doesn't it?Honestly, I have no idea which insurer I'm "in" with and whom I'm "out"...

I've Got A Question

I just got back from the pharmacy. Had to pick up a med for my wife. It seems our insurance plan, orchestrated by Aetna, seems to have "changed their policy" thanks to the New Year.Before 1 Jan...

More Clarity to the "47 million Uninsured" Number

It was interesting to read a more recent breakdown (subscription required) of the 47 million uninsured number I discussed previously that is repeatedly used by the presidential candidates to support...

The Pathophysiology of Insurance

I guess I must have missed something in medical school.I studied biology and human physiology and microbiology and pharmacology and pathology.I thought I learned a lot about how a heart attack...

Rationing the Spin

The insurance industry wants to be sure everyone has insurance coverage:“We are taking responsibility for ensuring that no one falls through the cracks,” said Karen Ignagni, the chief executive of...

0.5 percent

...that's what Mr. William McGuire's fine to the SEC was for his stock option backdating scandal relative to the estimated value of those stock options (estimated to be worth $1.4 billion...

0.0000005 percent

...that's what Mr. William McGuire's fine to the SEC was for his stock option backdating scandal relative to thes estimated value of those stock options (estimated to be worth $1.4 billion...

Never Mind You Can't Pay - Charge It!

"Never mind that you can't pay for your health insurance, charge it! We'll make it so e-a-s-y to spend your money, and then we'll even compound the interest for you! Hell, if your ailment won't...