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Wed 27 Mar, 2013 07:55 am
My husband went to dr for bronchitis, the dr ask if he smoked, the conversation lasted 30 seconds and she charged him 28.00. They said under the new obama care they have to charge this to every patient, insurance will not pay this fee. They never even heard of such a thing. Is this a actual charge??? and can they charge it???
@badasdart,
If your husband already had insurance and consulted a specialist, the co-pay is normally $30. But that's what I get charged and my insurance is federal blue cross blue shield. Since I've retired, the govt doesn't contribute to cost of my insurance, so I pay the premium but get the group rate.
@glitterbag,
Hang on a second, are you saying he was charged because he was a smoker?
Co-pays and annual outpatient deductibles are a common feature of health insurance and have been for generations. I suspect that this is just another case of someone who doesn't like Mr. Obama and wants to blame him for any other thing he or she doesn't like.
@Setanta,
Yeah, I think you're right.
@Setanta,
Yes. It doesn't seem related to his being a smoker nor to Obamacare.
PS: I don't like him either.
@roger,
You don't like who? The doc?
@glitterbag,
President Obama. You just couldn't believe I might be speaking of our president, could you?
@roger,
Roger, I thought the topic was health care, can we avoid making assumptions how far right or far left someone's politics might be? Sometimes a question is just a question, not a minefield.
@glitterbag,
It is about health care in your opinion. Reading the original post and Setanta's post, I disagree. I suppose I should have explained carefully that I was replying to him, and exactly why I chose to answer as I did. After more than four years, I'm reasonably satisfied that he already knew my opinion.
@roger,
No need to explain any farther what any of this meant.
@roger,
roger wrote:PS: I don't like him either.
the dogs and I don't like smokers either
@badasdart,
badasdart wrote:They never even heard of such a thing.
did the doc or his receptionist just start their first job?
@badasdart,
badasdart wrote:
... she charged him 28.00.
It must be all those student loans SHE has to pay off!
@badasdart,
This is an interesting discussion.
@badasdart,
As far as smoking and Obamacare goes, the only charge is for the premium (what insurance costs). Under the healthcare law, insurance companies are permitted to charge up to 1.5 times more for a smoker than a non-smoker. What you pay at the doctor's or hospital would be your co-pay, deductible or coinsurance as laid out by your insurance plan.
@InsuranceLady,
InsuranceLady wrote:
As far as smoking and Obamacare goes, the only charge is for the premium (what insurance costs). Under the healthcare law, insurance companies are permitted to charge up to 1.5 times more for a smoker than a non-smoker. What you pay at the doctor's or hospital would be your co-pay, deductible or coinsurance as laid out by your insurance plan.
So if you're a smoker, wouldn't your co-pay increase?
@InsuranceLady,
We have something similar now in MA. If you claim you are a non-smoker, your premiums are lower (does not impact co-pay).
@Miller,
No, your copay does not increase. Your premium may increase by 50%. Copays, deductables, and premiums are three distinct items.
@Linkat,
Linkat wrote:
We have something similar now in MA. If you claim you are a non-smoker, your premiums are lower (does not impact co-pay).
I figured that was the case, as my premium for 2014 dropped significantly. I recall at my last visit with the PCP I was asked if I smoked and I answered no.
I guess you have to be careful about how you answer certain questions, as your answers may have a very significant effect on your premiums.
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