Millions of Americans with health insurance are paying more out-of-pocket costs under Obamacare. One study shows some people are avoiding medical care because of the expense. Can shopping around for medical care help? To find out, we decided to ask hospitals in six states how much they charge for the same, simple medical procedure. The results are remarkable. We’ll have that investigation Sunday on Full Measure.
Also: now that women are permitted to serve any position in the military, should they also be required to register for the draft like men?
From Paris, Scott Thuman interviews a rising star of the political right in post-terrorist-attack France. Like Donald Trump, she’s put the issue of immigration and terrorism on the front burner and stirred up support as well as controversy.
We’ll also Follow the Money and expose taxpayer waste. Hint: Why did the State Department use your tax dollars to package air?
For past segments and episodes, visit: FullMeasure.news
Cheryl I love your show I’ve been watching it for the last few weeks but now I would like to get involved and take action can you tell me how to do that this particular webs site seems to want to freeze up on me when I want to check on the cost of medical health care anyways I’ll put my email down and if there’s anything I can do or pass the information along just let me know this is a shame that what they’re doing we need to get more involved.
I have been unemployed since 03/2015. ObamaCare made it possible for me to purchase health insurance in 08/2015. Shortly after that, I became homeless and then received a cancer diagnosis. Then my unemployment ran out and I became eligible for Badger Care Plus in the state of Wisconsin for a couple of months. During November, 2015 I ended up being covered by Badger Care and also paid the premium for Common Ground Insurance through the Marketplace. After November, 2015 I stopped paying for the Common Ground Insurance because Badger Care was covering me. This month, February, 2016, I needed to pick up insurance again through Marketplace.com as I have been working a 10 wk contract through a Staffing Service. Turns out, Marketplace.com chose another Common Ground Insurance policy for me (at an increase in price) and I needed to pay for all the months from 12/01/15 through 03/31/16 to become insured again. I had to spend everything I had saved for getting myself out of the homeless selter I am currently in. I am appalled that I have had to pay for double coverage for at least 3 months. What a waste of resources! When I contacted Common Ground Insurance to tell them I did not want to pay for all the months of insurance, I was told they were unable to help me with that issue and that I needed to call Healthcare.gov instead. Also, I got a PO Box and needed to change my address. Again, Common Ground Insurance could not even do that – I was told to call Healthcare.gov again. To date, I have not been able to look at the policy I am now paying for at the increased price. I don’t even know what I am paying for! Can’t believe this system! Can the State of Wisconsin get some of their money back???
Dear Ms. Attkisson,
I watched your Full Measure episode of Feb. 21 on medical costs, specifically MRIs. There were some important points you omitted about comparisons in regards to deductibles. Under most medical plans(especially those in the federal Marketplace options) you must go to a network facility or the cost doesn’t even apply to your deductible!! Even if you can go out of network the deductible and out-of-pocket are much higher. So shopping around only is useful if the providers are in your network or you have a true fee-for-service plan. Most facilities have multiple networks they are contracted with. The “discounts’ and allowable charges vary with each. So the charge “allowed”(paid) by one network versus another may vary considerably. Also, some large employers in certain geographic areas can set their “contracted” rate because of the patient population they provide. Ergo, if you want enough paying patients ,you go with our selected carrier or allowance. Medicare and Medicaid have even more restrictions on “allowed’ charges which are varied by state and geographic region. Plus, they have new “performance” criteria which can increase or decrease the amount paid. Most providers set “cash” prices high to absorb “discounts” . Some will provide a cheaper cash price if the volume offsets the the insurance or government paper work. Most don’t though because they don’t want to negotiate even larger discounts from the networks. There may or may not be true competition in large urban areas with multiple providers. You have “non-profit” and for-profit facilities, public(government run) and private facilities, hospital versus specialty facilities. Lastly, there is overhead(physical,staff,utilities,equipment, etc.) , volume ,charity,revenue stream, quality, stake holders satisfaction, etc. Where I live there are around 200 dentists but only 3 MRI options. If you are the only game in town-you pay the piper’s price!!