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Sun Apr 25, 2010 at 10:54:53 AM MST
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( - promoted by Fong)
I have written in the past in this space of my dismay that a number of states and the District of Columbia allowed health insurance companies to rescind existing policies to women in abusive relationships as evidence of pre-existing conditions. Now, WellPoint Insurance is in the news for breaking contracts with women who are identified as having breast cancer. H.R. 3590, the new health care reform bill, has a provision to protect patients and a fine of $100 a day if such a violation occurs---but there is no adjudication or enforcement mechanism in the act. HHS has been assigned the task of developing guidelines in this area. On April 22, Secretary Sibelius wrote to WellPoint deploring this activity. I view this as a pretty weak response and $100-a-day fine as a pathetic punishment. |
| ClarissaW :: We all have pre-existing conditions |
| Nor is WellPoint the only company doing this. The fundamental reason? It is expensive to treat/ it cuts into insurance profits. Consider that all illness costs money to treat and draw out this practice to its logical conclusion. There is a high likelihood that somewhere in the data banks of medical information, (Medical Information Bureau, Inc. (MIB) Ingenix, Inc.,(MedPoint) Milliman, Inc. (IntelliScript), there is something an individual has "lied" about in their health history. They score you on alcoholism and other addictions, medications, family history, criminal record, foreign travel, genetic information, illnesses, sexual orientation, etc. It is pretty hard not to have a risk factor for something. We've all seen the TV jingles about credit reports.com, but have you ever seen one for Annual Medical Reports.com? The Federal Trade Commission states that you can apply to these data banks to check for accuracy. You cannot check your record on line and must petition them individually. Did you know that all of your medical information might be sold to these data banks to be available to health insurance companies to determine your rates and your coverage? I know I have signed permission for my health information to be shared, but I thought it was to improve my medical care. I have even been puzzled why some medical groups go to such lengths to reassure you they are not sharing their information. Don't waste time telling me I am naïve, I freely admit it. |
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