fbpx

This Doctor Thinks Using Health Insurance is Bad for Your Health

This Doctor Thinks Using Health Insurance is Bad for Your Health

[Daniel Paull MD writes about how to best think about, and use, health insurance, where it comes to your health.]

People in the US say this all the time, “You absolutely need health insurance”.

This sentiment has been around for a long time, and has caused many to take lower paying jobs, or stay at jobs they don’t like just to get the “benefits”.

When people are talking about benefits, they usually don’t really mean a 401K, they mean health insurance.

 

The “You absolutely need health insurance” sentiment really means, “You need to protect yourself in case something happens so you don’t go bankrupt”.

If you have an emergency, and you don’t have health insurance, hospital systems are still obligated to treat you with the standards of care.

The insurance part really has just to do with the finances.

Health insurance should just be relegated to the financial aspect of things, but they bleed over into actual care through their use of what they decide to pay for or not.

Doctor wants you to take that specific medication? Too bad, insurance says no. MRI for your knee pain? Too bad, insurance says no.

 

If you have an emergency, and you don't have health insurance, hospital systems are still obligated to treat you with the standards of care. The insurance part really has just to do with the finances. Click To Tweet

 

The best way to go about all of this is to treat health insurance like any other insurance, and only use it for catastrophic purposes.

This is especially true if you have a high deductible.

For everything else you will pay less money and get better care if you pay cash.

This removes the health insurance companies from meddling in your care.

There are other alternatives to health insurance for catastrophic health.

Many who are healthy use health shares, which are built for what is described above and are less costly.

Do you have a compelling personal story you’d like to see published on SoMeDocs? Find out what we’re looking for here and submit your writing, or send us a pitch.

Share

Earn CME

This learning experience is powered by CMEfy - a platform that brings relevant CMEs to busy clinicians, at the right place and right time. Using short learning nudges, clinicians can reflect and unlock AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Affiliate ad

Earn CME

This learning experience is powered by CMEfy - a platform that brings relevant CMEs to busy clinicians, at the right place and right time. Using short learning nudges, clinicians can reflect and unlock AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.

Tweet Me

More from SoMeDocs

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

The True Art of Medicine

The Crafting Doctors

Doctors do some incredible work outside of the exam room. Some even craft! Take a peek at some of our highlighted doctors, here, in this series.

David Norris, MD, MBA

Negotiate as a Physician and Win

Catch this 8-part series, hosted by physician & business consultant David Norris, MD, MBA & produced by Dana Corriel, MD. Learn to be a stronger negotiator with these important tactics.

My “Go To” Spices for Indian Food: Beginner’s Guide

The Doctor’s Food

In honor of our upcoming virtual Lifestyle Medicine conference, we thought it would be fun to share some of what doctors eat (and prepare!), released regularly. Bottoms’ up!

Bryce Bowers, DO

Bryce Bowers, DO

“We must first take care of ourselves in order to take care of the patient.”

Want More?

Be a part of the healthcare revolution.
Don't miss a thing SoMeDocs publishes!

Disclaimer: SoMeDocs assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, claims, or content of the individual experts' profiles, contributions and courses. Details within posts cannot be verified. This site does not represent medical advice and you should always consult with your private physician before taking on anything you read online. See SoMeDocs' Terms of Use for more information.

follow us

© 2023 SoMeDocs. All Rights Reserved.

Support A Platform that Celebrates Real Doctors

For just $10 a month, you can help keep this openly accessible site available to all & help us sponsor in more doctors.

Interested in the must-read, unique content from our magazine?

I acknowledge that this site is not to be used for medical advice.

Play Video
Our Founder Answers Your BURNING Question

SoMeDocs

“Why should I become a member of SoMeDocs if I already have my own space online?”

Site SoMeDocs Logo, square

WANT TO STAY IN THE LOOP?

DON'T MISS A SINGLE CONTENT PIECE.