Consumer Choices in Cleveland, Ohio
A middle-aged woman shared her health insurance choices over lunch in Cleveland, Ohio. She had recently been hired full time by a major hospitality company after years of part-time and short-term jobs. She was thrilled with the work and her colleagues. Here’s her story.
How was her health? She had good health considering that she had Type 1 diabetes and suffered periods of depression. She maintained her health by eating well, exercising regularly, and watching her weight. She didn’t drink or smoke, but she enjoyed the occasional dessert. “It’s Girl Scout cookie season.”
How was she insured? Her previous jobs did not offer health insurance. Therefore, she was covered through her parents’ health plan and then purchased a private plan. The plan was expensive, but she was able to visit the providers of her choice. She was also pleased with the customer service and had “very few complaints.”
Where does she obtain care? Cleveland had its fair share of high-quality health care systems. They include the Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals. She had been fortunate to have long-term relationships with primary care and specialists, such as an endocrinologist and ophthalmologist.
How much does she spend? She had continued to pay full premium (>$1,000) for a private policy to ensure access to the physicians of her choice. However, her employer plan had virtually no premium but it was a high deductible health plan with a limited provider network.
What else? Emergency departments. She had suffered several diabetic reactions that required care in a near-by emergency room. She knew the hospital closest to her home, as well as others throughout the city “just in case.” In addition, the Affordable Care Act meant no worries about pre-existing conditions.
The consumer’s choices included employer coverage and private insurance. Given her medical issues, it was important to her overall health—physical, mental, and financial—that she be insured. In other words, this Clevelander was Mastering Health Insurance.
Photo: Lake Erie in winter