Roots of misery in health insurance industry

We should always keep this in mind when experiencing the misery of working in health insurance industry:

"In a truly free market, an individual wouldn’t need health insurance, because the medical establishment couldn’t charge more than customers are willing to pay for their services. The cost of a basic medical procedure wouldn’t put a person into financial ruin. Conversely, a person with the flu wouldn’t head straight to the ER for basic care that costs a premium. We pay for the waste of others and we pay for the people who refuse to pay.

Just like with college tuition costs, the government has created this cost spiral monster and everything they attempt to bring it under control just makes matters worse.

Thank a lobbyist.
Thank a politician.
Thank a basic PCP living in a mansion.
Thank a pharmaceutical CEO.
Thank an insurance CEO."

On point. Thanks, @wmh+1qL2luvJ

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To the previous comment, most would consider that I've worked quite hard, having gone through school and training for 10 years after high school, including residency. But that has nothing to do with my ability to agree that our system is broken. I won't make any uninformed assumptions about you, though.

"But I believe physicians in general (including specialists) are overpaid in the US" is a quote by someone who probably never worked hard in thier life for anything. Also, if you don't like Cigna maybe just quit your job like all the other complainers on here should do.

PCPs do a lot for people, and are some of the hardest working, with knowledge of every body system. But I believe physicians in general (including specialists) are overpaid in the US. Seriously, compare their average salaries to what equivalent physicians make in other developed countries.

It is true, though, that the cost (time, money, stress) of physician education is also very high. Our health care system is broken.

I am not belittling what physicians do; their knowledge and skill sets are invaluable. But some people here are trying to decide between food and receiving health care, so the disproportionate pay is one part of the problem. I second other causes of our dire health care situation, too. And I believe we could include others, such as investors and some hospital administrators.

Is this news to anyone? Did anyone actually start their Cigna career thinking the healthcare system was good? I personally chose and stay at Cigna because I make a good salary, have a good work life balance, and respect and enjoy working with my manager, skip level and team. If those things change I’ll leave

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Roots of misery in health insurance industry

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