Blues Release New HSA Survey

The national Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Association has released a new survey of people using consumer-driven health products, especially health savings accounts (HSAs). The study is based on Web site interviews with 3,000 BCBS consumers, a much larger sample than some other surveys that have been conducted.

The results reveal some interesting data, including differences between the behavior of people who have opened an HSA account and those who haven't done so. About 57 percent of those with HSA-qualified insurance coverage have opened accounts, with another 16 percent saying they intend to. Enrollment by age and health status is similar across product lines.

The biggest differences between people with HSAs and those in health plans that are not consumer-driven show up in their behavior and reported satisfaction. People with HSAs are more likely to say they are much more or somewhat more satisfied than they were the previous year with their overall coverage (47 percent), the value they receive from their coverage (44 percent), and their perception of being in charge (36 percent).

Survey respondents enrolled in plans that are not consumer-driven ranked their satisfaction on the three measures much lower: 27 percent, 23 percent, and 18 percent, respectively. More specifically, HSA enrollees report greater satisfaction with respect to:

* access to prevention and wellness: HSA holders 59 percent; non-consumer-driven (non-CD) plans 52 percent;

* health plan enrollment process: HSA 65 percent; non-CD plans 61 percent;

* decision tools in selecting providers: HSA 55 percent; non-CD plans 47 percent;

* decision tools in managing expenses: HSA 54 percent; non-CD plans 42 percent;

* information on benefits: HSA 57 percent; non-CD plans 47 percent;

* cost and quality information: HSA 54 percent; non-CD plans 40 percent; and

* insurer's Web capabilities: HSA 55 percent; non-CD plans 45 percent.

The actual use of tools is higher for HSA holders, too:

* use of nurse hotlines: HSA 10 percent; non-CD plans 6 percent;

* wellness programs: HSA 20 percent; non-CD plans 8 percent;

* provider information tools: HSA 38 percent; non-CD plans 10 percent;

* prescription cost and comparison: HSA 42 percent; non-CD plans 19 percent; and

* Web site for coverage information: HSA 53 percent; non-CD plans 32 percent.

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Hard to get compensation for even gross bungles from a government hospital system

A man who had a syringe left in his stomach after being operated on by Jayant Patel claims medical examiners have accused him of putting it there himself at a later date. The accusations were allegedly made during examinations leading up to Hans Huhsmann entering into the State Government settlement process intended to compensate victims of the rogue surgeon. The Courier-Mail heard of the allegation through a third party, but when contacted Mr Huhsmann confirmed the exchanges. "It was raised a few times by them in the examinations and I was very upset," he said. "Where do they think I got those things from? "It is very upsetting and now (the syringe) is too deep to remove and no specialists will touch me."

Although confidentiality agreements have drawn a curtain of secrecy around the compensation proceedings, tales of woe are now starting to leak out. And victims are not happy, referring to a process they say has descended into "a sham, a rort and an affront to all victims". One claim is that some patients have been offered settlements despite unstable medical conditions - like Peter Janstrom, who walked away from mediation and has since been told he may lose a testicle. "They tried to finalise it but I thought we would have another go later on," he said. Others claim to have been pushed into signing contracts for "like it or lump it" amounts; and widows have not received funeral costs.

For Vicki Lester, the Government's promise to pay all her medical expenses came to naught. Ms Lester - who has had nine reconstructive and plastic surgery operations and recently self-funded a trip to Sydney to be operated on by a surgeon of her choice - had her expenses claim rejected. In June, acting premier Anna Bligh wrote to say it was because she rejected a government-selected Brisbane surgeon.

Burnett MP Rob Messenger, who exposed Dr Patel's wrongdoings, said lawyers had in some cases received more money than patients. He said a "high level" of frustration had been expressed to him by a number of victims. Mr Messenger said Estimates Committee figures released had found the average payout of the first 69 settlements was $21,500 - $1.4 million went to patients and $900,000 to lawyers.

Attorney-General Kerry Shine's spokesman said yesterday that 154 of the 379 claims had been resolved, but the details of payments would only be released at the end of the mediation process. The spokesman also said medical specialists involved with assessing patients had been selected by legal representatives for the patients from a panel of specialists submitted by the state. Howwever, he would not comment on specific patients.

Bundaberg Victims Patient Support Group chairman Ian Fleming said that if the mediation process were not improved, it should be shut down. "They have no intention of honouring promises to adequately compensate," he said.

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For greatest efficiency, lowest cost and maximum choice, ALL hospitals and health insurance schemes should be privately owned and run -- with government-paid vouchers for the very poor and minimal regulation. Both Australia and Sweden have large private sector health systems with government reimbursement for privately-provided services so can a purely private system with some level of government reimbursement or insurance for the poor be so hard to do?

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