cmo

Can we all agree that the health insurance industry is the middleman that no one needs? Patients hate them, Docs hate them, staff hate them...literally everyone. Our 3-year-old fell off monkey bars about two months ago (PSA don't use the damn monkey bars!), broken arm and elbow, needed surgery with pins. So not minor, but not major. Monthly premium (family of 5): $1,851 ($22,212/yr)- Mentally, you think, wow, that must be a great plan. Well, it's decent but not great. Keep reading. Here are the numbers: Current out-of-pocket in 2023: $8,554. Once everything is completed, we will likely hit the out-of-pocket max of $9,100. (PSA: This is why this number is so significant, it is your worst case! Always know this number when you pick a health plan.) No other major events as a family, currently billed $64,109 in 2023. We will spend ~$31,000 in premiums and out-of-pocket costs in 2023. I sit here as these bills come in and think to myself, who the hell can afford these things anymore?!? While I thank God every day that we will be able to pay this and move on, so many others would be wrecked here for a while, maybe a lifetime. There has to be a better way. This is insane.

The results from the only randomized controlled trial that studied Paxlovid in vaccinated people (EPIC-SR) are finally available: no evidence that it provides any benefit. Good thing immune protection against serious illness has remained so robust.