@wundayatta, I have noticed that people think that having health insurance means that everyone has health insurance exactly like you. For example, I have a HDHP plan, which means that, except for preventive services, I pay 100% of the cost of service at the network contracted rate, up to my deductible amount ($4500), at which coinsurance of 80% for network contracted providers kicks in. Preventive services are covered at 100%. I used to have a PPO copayment plan, which had a $40 copayment, and then everything was covered at 90%. My sister has an HMO where she pays $10 per visit, and everything is covered at 100%. She thinks my insurance is dreadful, but I don’t have a choice, since it’s the only plan my employer offers, and it’s better than nothing. Talking to my sister made me think that everyone has different experiences with health insurance, and unless you’ve had a lot of different coverage types, what you think health insurance is, is generally limited to your own experience with it.
No agenda to the question.