Discrimination by Insurers Likely Even with Reform

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Joy125

Posted Monday, October 05, 2009 3:02 AM

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Last Login: Today @ 4:28 PM
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Discrimination by Insurers Likely Even With Reform, Experts Say

Economic Pressure Could Give Rise to New Biases Against Prior Conditions

By David S. Hilzenrath
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 4, 2009

Any health-care overhaul that Congress and President Obama enact is likely to have as its centerpiece a fundamental reform: Insurers would not be allowed to reject individuals or charge them higher premiums based on their medical history.

But simply banning medical discrimination would not necessarily remove it from the equation, economists and health-care analysts say.

If insurers are prohibited from openly rejecting people with preexisting conditions, they could try to cherry-pick through more subtle means. For example, offering free health club memberships tends to attract people who can use the equipment, says Paul Precht, director of policy at the Medicare Rights Center.

Being uncooperative on insurance claims can chase away the chronically ill. For people who have few medical bills, it is less of a factor, said Karen Pollitz, research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute.

And to avoid patients with costly, complicated medical conditions, health plans could include in their networks relatively few doctors who specialize in treating those conditions, said Mark V. Pauly, professor of health-care management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

By itself, a ban on discrimination would not eliminate the economic pressure to discriminate. . . .

TO READ COMPLETE ARTICLE SEE:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/03/AR2009100302483.html

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Grandpavan

Posted Monday, October 05, 2009 12:13 PM

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Insurers are in the business to make a profit and they will use any allowable methods to achieve that goal. Government is supposed to protect the interests of the public to prevent any unfair treatment. If insurance companies are providing unfair treatment that is because the government allows it. The fault is with the government and the unfair treatment should be made illegal. Insurance reform to correct this unfairness is needed while a lot of the other baggage in proposed legislation is not needed. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter. Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.

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