Have you tested positive for COVID?

[Esprise Me]

Please quote where I mentioned vacation. I'm waiting...

That is what the thread in which you advised people to commit fraud was originally about. Remember?

9 of us trying to go to Roatan for Christmas, all paid $175 for the 'more accurate' PCR test. Two came back with positive, and both of us go into our workplaces (different company) a few times a week. I had zero symptoms, the other had minimal.

Holy covid! My insurance covered the PCR test at no cost. Did you try use yours?

This ain't necessary so. Check Aethna's page, for example:

Aetna will cover, without cost share, diagnostic (molecular PCR or antigen) tests to determine the need for member treatment. This includes to direct-to-consumer/home-based diagnostic or antigen tests. Aetna’s health plans generally do not cover a test performed at the direction of a member’s employer in order to obtain or maintain employment or to perform the member’s normal work functions or for return to school or recreational activities, except as required by applicable law.

My understanding is, all insurances will cover your test if your doctor sent you in for testing. In other cases, it depends.

These "restrictions" are not hard to circumvent.

Does that circumventing involve lying about having symptoms?

Nope. You just say that you’ve been near someone positive and you need a test. It’s really not that hard. In NJ, we have free PCR testing anyway. No need to go to a rip-off center. Lots of those around.

Even if you haven't?

I know. These magnanimous health insurance companies are always fighting for us. Wanting to help and be on our side. Always there to protect us and never deny us. Financial considerations are never an issue when when it comes to our health. We're so lucky to have them in the USA. Denial of benefits is never an issue with them. Denying treatment or drugs? No way. Unless you're the president. I'm not so f**k them.

 

[tridacna]

Wow. I will simply say that breathtaking inanity knows no bounds in this thread. Remarkable. It seems as if my apparent criminal deviancy is matched only by another's dopiness. Oh well, such is SB.

 

[lexvil]

Free testing in California although where I live idiocy abounds among the locals who think a mask is the same as neutering so results are taking longer with the record pace of infections.

 

[uncfnp]

Here in NC the vaccines are just starting to trickle into the rural health departments and I have been confirmed 1a. Will likely be just after the New Year and the Moderna vaccine. Several of my coworkers that also work for hospitals have already received their vaccine. No complaints so far.

 

[uncfnp]

Even if you haven't?

@Esprise Me Here is a good example that crossed my desk today. The CDC recommends viral testing after domestic travel and strongly recommends after international air travel. By this guideline one could reasonably argue exposure although it does not meet the now antiquated guideline of 15 minutes at or less than 6 feet. So do you “lie” that you have exposure and follow the CDC guidelines or do you tell the truth, potentially not get tested and not quarantine? Which is the better choice for the individual? For the country? Heck, even for the insurance company since a covid spreader is certainly not in their best interest?

Of course the flip side is that if you are “exposed” you are expected to quarantine.

 

[apenland01]

@Esprise Me Here is a good example that crossed my desk today. The CDC recommends viral testing after domestic travel and strongly recommends after international air travel. By this guideline one could reasonably argue exposure although it does not meet the now antiquated guideline of 15 minutes at or less than 6 feet. So do you “lie” that you have exposure and follow the CDC guidelines or do you tell the truth, potentially not get tested and not quarantine? Which is the better choice for the individual? For the country? Heck, even for the insurance company since a covid spreader is certainly not in their best interest?

Of course the flip side is that if you are “exposed” you are expected to quarantine.

A bit off topic, but relevant to a few comments in this thread.

A Covid spreader is great for the insurance business. The more, the better. Payers have not reduced their premiums collected from patients, although their payouts for elective procedures and preventative screenings are way down. P&L statements and other financial reports won't look obvious, as the payers will take these excessive profits and invest them into other assets that will make them look like they are achieving the same profitability as before Covid. Therefore, no reason to reduce premiums in 2021.

Patients are scared to go into the clinic for routine things. Fewer claims to be paid, same premiums being paid.

Combine that with elective surgeries being canceled across the country for the month of December and now the payers get to skate all the way to the finish line of annual deductible resets, saving potentially billions of dollars across all covered lives. Everyone who is getting a surgery, imaging or procedure rescheduled for Q1 2021 is getting screwed by having to pay their full 2021 deductible, even though they may have met their 2020 deductibe. Will the payers allow patients who met their 2020 deductible, but got bumped due to the suspension of medical services by their state get some kind of waiver? Highly doubtful....

If I sound cynical, it's because I am.....

 

[tarponchik]

Patients are scared to go into the clinic for routine things. Fewer claims to be paid, same premiums being paid.

This is only one half of the story. The other half is that even when patients call their doctor, the office will decline to see them in person and offer phone or video (the latter option was added to our doc's menu only in the end of Summer) consulting instead.

 

[formernuke]

This is only one half of the story. The other half is that even when patients call their doctor, the office will decline to see them in person and offer phone or video (the latter option was added to our doc's menu only in the end of Summer) consulting instead.

Often yes except for certain circumstances. I've had 2 very minor surgeries and I had to get tested again (I'm pretty sure its just a head cold my son gave me). Those had to be done in person.

 

[tarponchik]

Often yes except for certain circumstances. I've had 2 very minor surgeries and I had to get tested again (I'm pretty sure its just a head cold my son gave me). Those had to be done in person.

Sure, they can't do XRays over the phone if you break a bone.

 

[letterboy]

Often yes except for certain circumstances. I've had 2 very minor surgeries and I had to get tested again (I'm pretty sure its just a head cold my son gave me). Those had to be done in person.

They wouldn't walk you through the surgery over the phone?

Sissy.