I don't understand why health care suddenly costs so damn much. I can understand a few factors - nurses' pay has gone up, new treatments are more expensive (and doctors prescribe more expensive treatments - sometimes unnecissarily) but these factors don't seem to explain how insanely costly health care has become. And where is all that money going? Again, I understand that CEO pay has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, but is that enough to explain the enormous cost of health care these days? [more inside]
posted by serazin on Nov 28, 2008 - 43 answers

TMI Medical Filter: Previously, I had sometimes crippling stomach pain. That went away. Now I'm, uh, bleeding. Rectally. Um. Yeah. But my HMO doesn't seem to care all that much. MetaFilter is not my doctor, but I can't go to my doctor to ask... should I skip my HMO and go to the hospital? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 11, 2008 - 26 answers

In Northern California, which is the best: Blue Shield, Cigna, or Kaiser (All HMO). [more inside]
posted by names are hard on Sep 5, 2008 - 11 answers

I have a choice of going on my employer's insurance plan or staying on the insurance plan my husband's employer offers. My plan would be an HMO with low co-pays and great coverage (100%), but it's an HMO. Everything has to be approved in advance, etc. My husband's plan is an EPO, with slightly higher co-pays, and all that. The difference in monthly premiums is slight ($50). What to pick? [more inside]
posted by Mozzie on Oct 9, 2007 - 16 answers

I'm scared to talk to my health insurance company regarding a denied claim and further needed treatment. [more inside]
posted by desjardins on Sep 4, 2007 - 16 answers

What sort of doctor should a young woman have as her primary physician? [more inside]
posted by divka on Nov 14, 2006 - 16 answers

How do I maintain communication while dealing with HMO? [more inside]
posted by evil holiday magic on Jun 20, 2006 - 7 answers

A twofold question, both procedural and specific, about doctors, insurance plans, choices, research, and, optionally, the downtown Chicago Loop area. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Jun 4, 2006 - 7 answers

My parents are members of an HMO, but our dealings with them have been frustrating, and we need help. (*Catheter references inside.) [more inside]
posted by evil holiday magic on Jan 8, 2006 - 6 answers

I'm thinking of seeking counseling for a variety of reasons. Being new to the US however, I have questions about how therapy will have an effect on my future health care coverage. Should I pay out-of-pocket or file for coverage? [more inside]
posted by barnone on Nov 7, 2005 - 8 answers

Is it a smart idea to keep a donor sticker on your license? I've heard rumblings.... [more inside]
posted by Mach3avelli on Sep 13, 2005 - 32 answers

I have always had attention problems, but when I was tested in 1993, the tests came back inconclusive: the neuropsychologist concluded that only 7% of my 'issues' was ADD. That was twelve years ago. In my adulthood, I'm having serious problems concentrating, but am unsure of the effects the common ADD medications will have on me, and I'm curious if there are different treatments for attention deficit due to adult ADD and due to other 'issues'. [more inside]
posted by SpecialK on Jun 18, 2005 - 9 answers

Health insurance: CIGNA vs. Kaiser Permanente. My employer offers a choice of partially-subsidised HMO plans with either CIGNA or KP. KP seems a lot (about 50%) cheaper, but my co-workers seem to prefer CIGNA. Is there a catch? Are they being snobbish? Are KP bad? Or are they just more efficient because they do everything in-house? I'm assuming that either will be a step up from the provider at the student health centre.
posted by carter on Oct 5, 2004 - 15 answers