In a recent post, I mentioned Dr. David Belk, who has a website about the true cost of healthcare and how insurance – and “the system” -  make people pay more than is necessary. Dr. Belk’s website has gotten a lot of attention lately and many emails from people who have stories to tell.

Here are a few of the stories I found interesting. More can be found here:

My husband is self-employed, I work part time, and we have 3 kids in college. We pay for our own insurance, which besides being very expensive, also has a $2600/yr. deductible, and co-pays for everything. This is very difficult for us. What other options do we have? I have MS and am on expensive drugs, which our insurance won’t pay for at all; the drug manufacturer has a program for people without insurance coverage so I pay a 40/mo. copay. The health insurance cost is the main source of stress in our lives. What can we do?

*****

My husband recently  has received a $80,000.00 hospital bill which my insurance company is refusing to pay, because I was not pre-approved.  I am wondering what the protocol is to follow your plan with paying out of the pocket so to speak. Do I  contact the hospital and not follow thru with the insurance company, and is your plan just active in California I would like to talk with you and see what I need to do to get the best rate. Please call me at your convenience, because I need some help in order to do this the correct way.

*****

I used to manage a neuro practice and everything you say on this site rings true. We gave our patients the option to pay with cash and in almost all cases it was less then what we HAD to bill insurance. The only way for the market to adjust is if the financial relationship shifts back to the doctor and patient. We don’t use our car insurance to pay for car maintenance, why do we use it to pay for healthcare? Keep up the good work, let me know how I can help.