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Average life expectancy in the U.S.A. continues to rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that average life expectancy in the United States rose to a record-high 77.6 years in 2003, up from 77.3 the previous year. The improvement was attributed to drops in eight of the 15 leading causes of death. Death rates for the three biggest killers – heart disease, cancer and strokes – dropped between 2.2 and 4.6 percent. There were 2,443,930 deaths in 2003. The overall death rate, adjusted for changes in age distribution of the population, declined 1.7 percent from 2002.
Average life expectancy is significantly affected by gender and race. The average life expectancy for a woman in 2003 was 80.1 years, while a man’s average life expectancy was 74.8. On average, black women live 4.4 years less than white women. A black man’s average life expectancy is 6.2 years less than a white man’s.
Seems US life expectancy is lower due to demographics....
For young, healthy individuals, high-deductible health insurance is a reasonable option in my opinion. For years I carried health insurance that had a deductible of $5000. Sounds crazy, but I rarely went to the doctor (maybe once in 2 or 3 years) so carrying a policy with higher monthly premiums to cover a rare doctor's visit just didn't make sense in the cost-benefit side of things. In fact, not even low deductible policies would cover a single doctors visit because those plans had a $300 deductible as well. It was no-win in my opinion. High-deductible plans are generally considered "catastrophic" plans, in which case should you have a catastrophic event take place, $5000 would easily be met within the first few hours at the hospital. This, of course, really only applies to the healthy. I'd have to research it further to see if it would be a viable option for those with pre-existing conditions.
At least that's my experience and opinion.
I've never used an HSA so I can't comment on that.
Hey, your post made perfect sense... before I had my child, I almost never used my insurance... it just so happens that I now have a high deductible plan and it sucks.
Hey, your post made perfect sense... before I had my child, I almost never used my insurance... it just so happens that I now have a high deductible plan and it sucks.
Yeah, this doesn't apply to me anymore, but I wondered how this would work out for a family plan. As I recall with young children, you might have quite a bit of out of pocket expense before your (high) deductible was met and insurance kicked in.
For young, healthy individuals, high-deductible health insurance is a reasonable option in my opinion. For years I carried health insurance that had a deductible of $5000. Sounds crazy, but I rarely went to the doctor (maybe once in 2 or 3 years) so carrying a policy with higher monthly premiums to cover a rare doctor's visit just didn't make sense in the cost-benefit side of things. In fact, not even low deductible policies would cover a single doctors visit because those plans had a $300 deductible as well. It was no-win in my opinion. High-deductible plans are generally considered "catastrophic" plans, in which case should you have a catastrophic event take place, $5000 would easily be met within the first few hours at the hospital. This, of course, really only applies to the healthy. I'd have to research it further to see if it would be a viable option for those with pre-existing conditions.
At least that's my experience and opinion.
I've never used an HSA so I can't comment on that.
Some good info. Have HSA option through my bank, may look into it further there.
Health care is a big political focus right now. In light of this, what do you think about the Health Savings Accounts linked to the high deductible insurance plans. I think these may be the wave of the future, but I personally don't like them. This is all some employers are offering now. I think mine is in the process of phasing it out. I had one at a previous job and I did not like it. Any thoughts about these? Good and bad opinions of them? Maybe I'm just unduly negative or old and set in my ways!!
In NY, the premiums for them are almost as high as for an HMO (for the self employed), so I didn't feel that it was worth it due to the large deductible.
My sister had no health problems ever, at all, so she chose a high deductible ($15k) insurance combined with something like $4k in HSA funds for the year. An HSA is (in her case) an account that has $4k in it that can be used towards health costs only. She can pay and be reimbursed, or use a special credit card.
Of course, this was the year she ended up needing several expensive tests, and she has already used the $4k and still has not hit the deductible, and will have to pay the next $11k out of pocket.
Too risky for me.
of course in the years that she had no health problems she was way ahead.
I am a social worker. I feel my contribution to society is enough. I work 10-12 hour days with abused and neglected children that society turns their cheek to. The stress is high. Many of you would have nightmares with what I see daily. Our employer is now only offering the high deductable plan. I take medication monthly, which is expensive. I make 30,000 a year. So 10% of my income is going to healthcare? I don't abuse the system. I don't run off to the doctor or hospital at a whim. This isn't insurance. This is pretty much no insurance. How would I even know if I had cancer if I can afford the tests? This is a smack in the face. Pay me a salary where I can afford to feed my family and pay medical costs...I would gladly do it but I don't make that kind of money. In fact, my clients are eating better than I am and are receiving fullly paid medical care with medicaid. Thanks a lot for nothing.
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