In need of insurance answers

Is it possible to be engaging while writing on a topic that’s been covered thousands of times before? Is there any interest in debating in print a serious problem that’s been around for years yet never seems to improve? Is there anything new to say about a David and Goliath story in which the Goliaths seem to always get away with it while the Davids slip quietly into oblivion?

Despite the incredible odds, I’m going to give it a shot. Go figure.

The issue is health insurance which, in these days of a national pandemic, takes on even greater urgency. We pay large sums of money each month to health insurance companies for medical peace of mind and financial cushioning against potentially exorbitant provider and hospital bills. Is it an equitable system? Especially now in these coronavirus days?

For many it’s an inequitable nightmare. So here’s an idea. I’d like to pose a series of questions to the heads of our health insurance companies in an attempt to highlight the most serious issues. Even without answers, that may focus attention on the industry’s motives and limitations. Of course, only actual responses will give us the true picture.

Dear Health Insurance Executive: Please respond to the following 10 questions by selecting A, B, or C. (Select only one.)

1. Your company’s primary goal is to:

A. Make a profit

B. Make it easier for people to manage their health care costs

C. Help improve the timely delivery of adequate health care

2. Is it possible for a health insurance company to provide exemplary service without having to concentrate on profits alone?

A. Yes

B. No

C. No comment

3. Many policyholders refuse or delay important care because they fear the negative financial repercussions. How willing are you to work one-on-one with individual policyholders to find ways for them to get the care they need without such fear?

A. Very willing

B. Somewhat willing

C. Not at all willing

4. The coronavirus pandemic has put additional strain on the nation’s health care insurance and health delivery systems. How willing are you to bend certain rules and eliminate others in order to ease the strain?

A. We jumped right to it without giving it a second thought

B. We had obligations to our board and stockholders to consult with them first — and then made the necessary allowances

C. Our policies and plans are already reasonable and equitable enough to deal with a pandemic

5. Many industries are tightly regulated by state governments as a way to guarantee fair and equitable practices. Your industry, as well, must abide by regulations. Do you feel these regulations are:

A. Reasonable

B. Unreasonably stringent C. Completely unnecessary

6. In the first half of the 20th century, most patients depended on what essentially were prepaid physician groups, which provided insurance to people while giving doctors the incentive to make prudent choices in terms of tests and procedures. It worked well until the AMA began to tear it apart fearing that health care corporations would evolve. (Go figure!) How much value do you see in considering a new and different model for health care insurance?

A. A great amount of value

B. No value at all

C. Unsure

7. Many frustrated citizens take a dim view of the health insurance industry and the executives who run them. Do you feel such a view is:

A. Justified and understandable B. Unjustified and wrongheaded C. Of no consequence

8. How do you feel when you hear of policyholders who are exceedingly frustrated about the state of health care insurance today?

A. It troubles me

B. It does not trouble me at all C. I feel for them, but there is not much I can do about it

9. To whom do you feel you owe the most transparency and allegiance?

A. Company stockholders B. Company employees C. Policyholders

10. How do you rate the health care insurance industry in this country compared to many other countries?

A. The best

B. The worst

C. Somewhere in between I hope all health care insurance executives who read this op-ed are compelled to respond. Answers can be sent to Joel@JoeltheWriter.com. Anonymity is guaranteed. I’ll plan for a followup piece. While I do not know what this exercise will ultimately prove (if anything at all), it was strangely and inexplicably cathartic. Go figure!