Reform private insurance companies

Your special report, “Transparent Health,” on July 3, was interesting. I found myself feeling envious of Ms. Moore or anyone else who can choose where they will procure their health care. I have worked in Cedar Rapids for 20 years. I worked for Mercy and had my health insurance through them for many years. They had a list of preferred providers. If I chose a provider outside of their network, I paid twice the co-pay for an office visit and was reimbursed 60 percent of other medical costs rather than 80 percent for in-network providers.

Unfortunately, when I signed up for my benefits at St. Luke's two years ago, my family physician was not in their network. Instead of paying $40 as required by Mercy, I would have to pay the full price of an office visit. Thus, I had to leave my family physician of 18 years. This was much more punitive to anyone preferring to obtain health care outside of their corporation. I was also denied coverage for most prescriptions to be filled at my preferred pharmacy, unlike at Mercy.

I don't know how you will ever learn what your insurance company will pay toward a diagnostic testing or treatment procedure. Personally and professionally, every time I have called to pre-certify testing or treatment, the first thing I have been told is, “this does not guarantee payment.”

Anyone who thinks health care reform (i.e., reform of private insurance companies) isn't needed, has led a charmed life.

Sue Dirks

Marion