Medical Maze Madness
The health plan madness has taken over my work place. Around my cube the engineers are pushing aside their coding-debugging-interviewing related work in order to fill out health benefit plan forms...all due tomorrow. Super!
I once injured my foot training for a marathon and to compensate for it, I rested a little bit before deciding to push through the pain and to keep running. It would have benefitted me tremendously had I visited a doctor of some sort. The only problem is that the doctors that I have had are mostly in a hurried to get me out of their offices. "How's your knee/foot/back? Can you walk? Good why don't you walk for another month or two." (But to be fair my annual exam has always been stress-free, so I shouldn't complain.)
The same thing applies to my dad. He has recurring problems with swellings in his foot. His doctor thinks it's a seasonal thing and that he should try to keep it warm. Thanks a bunch for that advice Doc! I get more peace asking my small group for prayers on this, hmph!
In my prayers I'm reminded to thank God for His blessings of my good health (among many other blessings). But I can't imagine my run of good health will continue on as I'm getting older. So it doesn't hurt to have my employer foot (some of) the bill if I do need health care in the foreseeable future.
Questions To Ask You Guys
What are the benefits of PPO versus an HMO?
Does anyone have Kaiser-Permanante? Do you like them?
What are your medical plans?
OH hey before I forget, what do you think of my site's Christmas redesign. Pretty minty-fresh? Yes I know I have too much time on my hands...
PPO you have a more flexible health coverage. but it costs more. This is what I have, since I don't want to get stuck at one particular hospital or doctor.
I think HMO if you require to see a specialist (say Chiropractor) you'll need to see your general physician first, and then get a referral to a Chiropractor, which all have to be in the HMO network.
PPO rather gives you more flexibility, the prices may be a little higher, but i could go from one doctor to another and not worry being stuck at Kaiser.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preferred_provider_organization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_maintenance_organization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preferred_provider_organization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_maintenance_organization
DREW: I did go with BlueCross PPO after all.
kinda late... but ppo is great. the palo alto medical foundation set of docs, are all connected to the el camino group docs... and they are great... don't hurry you out of the exam room like other docs.. and they can give u an appt day of... if needed. :)