Insurance news!

I'm very pleased to say I received written confirmation of my social security disability award in the mail today. Thus ends this part of the saga.

Again, thanks to all who wrote in support.

Health care and insurance has been in the news a lot recently. From my perspective, here is what should happen:

Insurance companies, the government agencies (medicare, social security, the state systems) all need to communicate with each other. I know this might be a bit Big Brother-ish, but it's important everyone is on the same page. If you are really sick, and have no help, contacting all the various parties involved in coverage is not an option.

There has to be a better way of recognizing who is in need of ongoing services. Again, this is a Big Brother type proposition, but it's hard to do it all on your own, and right now the patient is the one who has to initiate the claim. I suppose I would feel different about this if I didn't have a long term disability; but getting the information the various parties need to evaluate and make a decision regarding services is really difficult now.

The way prescription drug claims are handled and paid for should be made more efficient. Personally, I think the whole idea of written prescriptions is anachronistic. Everything should be handled paperless via the Internet. Doctors should be able to enter a prescription online which can then be made available to any pharmacy, via a real time online database. Once the patient goes in and fills the prescription, that is also recognized, along with any refills. If necessary, additional safeguards can be put in place for Schedule 2 controlled substances. This database would also be linked to the various insurance company plans so that they can pay for it. Ideally, if there was a co-pay, it could be automatically debited from a person's credit card or bank account. I think this would be more efficient, cost effective and generally easier for everyone.

I have more to say but I'm tired, so more tomorrow.