Thread: Brain Injuries
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Old Sat, April 25th, 2009, 11:26 AM
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Jackpine Jackpine is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckD View Post
Why should my private insurance cover what happened in a war zone? Thats the BAD idea. Think about it my civilian employer pays a big part of my insurance coverage and if I have to go to a Dr. on a continuing basis. So even though my job performance is good but they have an employee that has continuing health problems and there is another guy that dont but even though his performance isn't as good then guess who gets the boot.
This is why I think we need health care reform, but, respectfully, here's what I think regarding your case - please correct me if I'm wrong.

I think you are a Reservist, is that correct? If so, your employer is obligated by law to keep your job open for you upon your return from any deployment. Effectively, you are placed on "unpaid vacation" by your employer. Certain things such as your "seniority" should continue to gain in value while you are deployed. I suspect the employer does not have to pay your health insurance premiums during this time (since the military is covering it) but your insurance is not "canceled", and, injuries you suffer while deployed cannot be considered "prior conditions" by the insurance company when you return. The company HAS to cover you.

And, I think your employer negotiates "group" rates with the insurance company. I'd find it very hard to believe that an insurance company would bill your employer for each covered employee separately, based on their medical claims. That would be a billing nightmare! So, as far as your employer is concerned, your medical insurance is not a factor - he pays the same for every other employee.

But, of course, your time away from work DOES cost the employer - no question there. And, sadly, this could make the other worker who doesn't have chronic health problems more useful to him. But, it's not the cost of your insurance that's the problem. You and the other guy have exactly the same health care costs.

I just hope you can get through this quickly and back to work full time. It's got to be hell for you the way things are now.

- Jack