What I Learned from the Healthcare.gov Insurance Options Finder
Out of curiosity, I went to Healthcare.gov to find out what my insurance options would be if I were a 44 year old healthy female looking for coverage. I was prompted to do so by an email from Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, reminding me that we are in the countdown to 2014, where everyone will need to be enrolled for insurance.
The only options that came up for me were provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield and they gave me a range of plans with deductibles from $3,000 to $7,000 a year and premiums with a range of $275 to $400 a month. I had checked the box saying it would be difficult for me to afford care, but fat lot of good that did.
Forgive me, Dear Reader, but this does not sound like Affordable Health Care. This sounds like how to potentially lose a good chunk of my savings as well as pay a hefty monthly premium, all so I can’t have any really meaningful access to care such as mental health benefits and emergency room access without having to go broke. If this is really all the Affordable Health Care Act is doing, I’m not sure it will be an improvement over what we have and may just lead to more medical bankruptcies for the middle class and the poor.
I am withholding judgement for now, as I assume that more options will be listed soon in the directory, such as some more affordable plans from United Health Care or Neighborhood Health Plan. That’s my hope at least. If you want to check it out for yourself, give the Healthcare.gov Finder a try.
Kale vs. Spinach
http://www.mynsp.com/esuite/home/lbrown
Kale has been the trendy new health food in recent years, and with good reason. But don't forget about the old standby super food, spinach.
Looking at this graphic we made from information provided by USNews, there seems to be a reason behind Popeye's obsession with spinach instead of other green superfoods -- namely perhaps more fiber, protein, calcium and potassium.
Take Action to Help Mental Health Providers Get Treated Justly
We in the social work field are known for advocating for just about everyone — the poor, the homeless, LBGT, Veterans, the elderly, people with physical disabilities, people with mental disabilities, the unemployed, the incarcerated, and so on. But when it comes to advocating for ourselves, we seem to have a harder time, and the many groups who we speak for are often not able to provide the same kind of “got your back” advocacy in return. For that reason, mental health providers are a category, politically, that is easily stomped on. Though we represent many, we represent the underrepresented, the less powerful, and the very busy people who must work two jobs for a living.
Here is a chance to help out your fellow mental health provider. Please consider signing the petition linked below to help advocate for mental health providers to be adequately compensated for their work.
High Deductible Insurance Plans Reduce Access to Preventative Care
This study by RAND is the largest survey yet to show the effects of high deductible insurance plans. The study notes that people were less likely to access preventative care when they have a high deductible. People are also less likely to access mental health care when they have a high deductible, particularly if they are middle class or poor. More research to follow.
What Keeps People from Mental Health Care?
The biggest barriers for people who need mental health care are the costs, according to the survey cited in the article below.
What One Therapist Found When She Entered Private Practice
This essay from the NYTimes is a bit of an eye-opener for anyone who is thinking of going into private practice. Due to people seeking less therapy and using more psychiatric drugs alone (massive pharma marketing campaigns encourage this), we are now at a point where many therapists can’t get enough referrals to survive. Meanwhile, many people in need of help can’t get it because they don’t have insurance, have high deductibles and copays, or have very little coverage for mental health with their insurance policy.
Stay Warm, Kmarekians
Well, actually I was walking home from Firestone Tire in this arctic cold spell. I could see who was walking their dog, how many squirrels were out and where the cats went.
Help Your Child Grow Emotionally with "Know Thyself: A Kid's Guide to the Archetypes"
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kiersten Marek, the author of Know Thyself: a Kid's Guide to the Archetypes. I am a practicing child and family therapist and the mother of two daughters.
On this website, you can learn about the 12 different aspects of identity that are discussed in my book. I also provide some suggestions for how to explore each of your archetypes. Let's start with The Innocent.
Happy 2013
Break through to a new vision.
Creds to Windows to the Universefor the beautiful image, and visit their site for its history.
Tentative Accord Reached to Raise Taxes on Wealthy – NYTimes.com
Best news all year. Happy 2013!
Tentative Accord Reached to Raise Taxes on Wealthy – NYTimes.com.
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