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0 pointsXylakant8y ago0 comments

It absolutely makes sense to insure routine medical examinations. If they’re not covered, people don’t do them. Many routine examinations uncover conditions that are not critical yet and easy to treat before they turn into a costly nightmare. (e.g. routine skin checks uncover potential cancer before it spreads, tooth checks uncover problems before they require expensive replacement) It’s an investment, not only health-wise, but also financially for the health insurance.

0 comments

solatic8y ago

But that's the difference between buying insurance, which is an actuarial product you buy to guard against unfortunate events, and buying a service or subscription, which is available for your use when you desire to use it.

Let's ask a simple question to determine which is which in the US: because attending your annual checkups reduces your risk of needing expensive treatment, somebody who attends their annual checkups are cheaper to insure. Are there any American insurance plans that effectively pay patients for attending their checkups? Are there any American insurance plans which say, well, your premiums are $1000/month, but if you go to your annual checkup, not only will your checkup be completely covered with no co-pay, but we'll reduce your next 12 monthly premiums to $950/month each?

After all, if it reduces costs for the insurer, then the insurer is motivated to incentivize patients to go, right?

frangipane8y ago

>attending your annual checkups reduces your risk of needing expensive treatment

Btw, there's no evidence of this.

Zero...zip...zilch...none.

http://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.h6080

jimktrains28y ago

So, you're claiming that since certain cancer screenings are ineffective it therefore means that managing issues such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes are also ineffective? That seems like a stretcher to me, and I'm not buying it.

2 more replies

foxyv8y ago

My employer offers a discount on health insurance if I attend a health screening. This is relatively common.

notyourday8y ago

It makes no sense.

One insures for what one cannot covers himself or herself. Regular risk (maintenance) one simply absorbs. That's why the mandatory health insurance especially as defined by ACA is a total garbage - it forces insurance companies to cover regular risk.

I only want to carry catastrophic insurance. If I could, I would have had a policy that kicked in at $50,000 and covered to some absurd amount.

geezerjay8y ago

> It absolutely makes sense to insure routine medical examinations. If they’re not covered, people don’t do them.

Then don't call it insurance. Call it what it is: a subscription to a medical service provider.

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