HCB's Journal, 09 February 2018

Its ok gf, just a momentary lapse...dont beat yourself up. Do you have any fatbombs or other special treats on hand? 

Tis OK HCB I'm munching on uck--sweetened ceral my GD left. But craving sweets and spicy lentils. ODD>  

Fatigue must be country wide, because here in Cali we are tired also. 

Oh I am inMN. It has been So cold!!!! Hate to go out. Need to get to the YMCA. I love to swim. My psoriasis is acting up. Hope no sugar Will help it. I usually take Humira but my copay is 1,600 $ they raised the price 200 $ . I decided not to take It this year. 

Jim, the medical costs are crazy. I am amazed that Humira is that much--insane. How long is that co-pay for? My insurance doubled the co-pays last year and this year doubled the deductible, and increased our payments by 50% this year on top of the last year's 50%. 178% increase in the past few years, since the coverage age for families went to 26. It's just me no kids on mine still have to pay employees with family coverage has gone up more. The amounts insurance covers keeps going down. I have 2.5% of a months take home pay that I have to pay out in doc bills just in diagnostics and I have no solutions yet. This is since 01/01/18. Solution bills are yet to come. Can't use the meds I was on for asthma-insurance won't let me the new ones cost almost twice as much. Not sure how I'm going to afford this year. Asthma meds so breathe or not. diagnostics for major neck and headache pain--disc issues in my neck--if not taken care of could be life threatening. I get it. I know many here are foregoing health care because it is simply too expensive. Medical care is controlled by the insurance companies. Wonder what health care will be in a few years, this simply isn't working. When I complain to my company or insurance company they tell me those of us who work have to pay more to support those who don't or pay just a little so we can keep our coverage. My medical bills simply for diagnostics, no treatment in the past month are 2.5 times the amount I bring home in a month, that is the part the insurance isn't paying. My asthma drugs are no longer covered so have to take different ones because of the insurance companies dictating to the docs. Kickbacks to the insurance companies from the drug companies??? I wonder. My cost keeps going up.  

gr8 quote 

@jimlin2006 - yes, I am in Minnesota, too. It was above when I woke up today! 

@WFN - yes do not get mt started! I am a provider on insurance panels as well as a consumer. It is a disgrace how insurance runs treatment and benefits. Blue Cross has cut all reimbursements 30% so many people will not even accept insurance now. Who suffers? The consumers!  

Here in Canada the cost of prescription drugs is considerable lower and they are even cheaper in Europe. This is due to the government controlling the price of drugs. I think some areas have to be regulated and healthcare is one of them.  

HCB, I have a good job and I don't know how I'm going to pay these bills without putting them on credit, I don't really want to do that. I feel so badly for those who don't have that option. If I had a spouse helping to pay my mortgage, utilities etc it would help but I do not. Just me. The cuts are simply horrible. I will fight the one they tossed into a category of not a provider including the imagining place I had the MRI done. I specified that I couldn't pay for it if it wasn't in network. The doc that evaluated the MRI was not in the network. So hitting me with another $600 plus. Sheesh what a system!! I used to be in it and we worked like crazy to make sure insurance was applicable or told them ahead of time that it wasn't. Managed a doc's office and did all the insurance filing for years.  

@ FOL - that is so true! In the US it is still all about big pharma profits! 

Love watching ice dancing. Olympics...................... 

l though President Trump ended the monthly co pays that obama had implaced ! Hopefully when insurance companies can cross state lines the ins.should go down. p.s. I'm glad when l was young l made the sacrifice and served during the war, l receive 100% free medical. 

Occasional cheat is OK as long as you get back on the horse. Don’t let the mishap last.