Non-embedded deductibles are not economical for some families. For some families, such as married couples without children, non-embedded deductible plans can cause families to spend thousands of dollars in extra out-of-pocket expenses that otherwise would have been covered had they purchased individual plans with lower deductibles or embedded family plans.
The shrinkage of employee retirement resources in the U.S. has been well documented, as employers shift more risk onto their workers. Less so is the rate at which employers have been eliminating healthcare benefits for retirees. As the Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported, retiree health coverage is becoming an endangered species.
Hepatitis-C is a serious liver infection caused by an often lethal virus, and it spreads from one person to another through contact with blood, including blood transfusions and shared needles. Gilead Sciences boasts that its two leading biologic medications have a cure rate of as high as 95 percent, in comparison with 40 percent for older, less advanced treatments. But Sovaldi and Harvoni can cost between $83,000 and $95,000 retail for a full course of treatment.
‘Looks like your medical insurance does not cover pre-existing organs.’
‘I couldn’t afford the Bronze, Silver, or Gold health plan of the Affordable Health Care Act…’
HENRY KOTULA 