If you have health insurance through your employer in the US, I have some truth bombs for you to consider -

Your employer chooses your coverage (or coverage options). That means they select how much you have to pay for services as well as prescriptions.

1/

They're all to happy to hear everyone blame the insurance company.

Frustrated by prior authorizations? Stepping through multiple medications before your insurance will pay for the one your doctor wants to prescribe you?

Your employer picked that for your coverage.

2/

Insurance companies just facilitate the coverage your employer chose. If you don't like your coverage you're better off complaining to your HR than the insurance company.

If you have an expensive condition like diabetes try pressuring your company for better coverage.

/3

The same insurance company that denies your treatment and charges you $500 for your Rx will cover that treatment & only charge $25 for the exact same drug to someone that has better coverage through their employer.

/4

Another fun fact - many companies have different tiers of coverage for different tiers of employees.

The lowest paid employees get the worst coverage when the execs get premium coverage.

/5

Since most people don't understand this (including many of the execs) there can be confusing swirl within a company about the coverage.

Execs that have premium coverage have little sympathy for low level employees. Think about that; they can afford to pay but don't have to.
/6

Meanwhile, the low level employee that's likely paid peanuts, is expected to jump through hoops and pay considerably more to receive the care they need.

/7

E.g. An exec that gets paid $400K/yr & an employee that makes $30K/yr both have diabetes.

The exec with premium coverage pays $50/ month for their insulin. They have access to a program that connects them to a nutritionist for free and covers the top of the line equipment.

/8

The $30K/ year employee with diabetes has to pay $200/month for the exact same insulin. There's no nutritionist (besides, at that pay they probably can't follow the advice they'd give!) & when they apply for the midrange equipment they need to manage their disease it's denied.
/9

The people that defend the current health care system have good coverage that they can afford.

They've never had to choose between an Rx & eating. They've never had to ration medication. It's uncomfortable to sit with that & it's much easier to blame people for being poor.

/10

People that don't have insurance or have terrible coverage make health care cost more for everyone.

What? Yeah. Hear me out (and I'm not blaming them; I blame the decision makers that got us into this mess)

/11

They don't get preventative care, don't take medications as prescribed & wait until their health is so bad they have to go to the ER.

Then they're slammed with outrageous ER bills they cannot afford and it goes to collections. Now they're more stressed & likely still sick.

/12

The affordable care act tried to help with this but came up short. I liken the ACA to a bandaid on a gaping wound that's infected, needs a bunch of stitches & the person is on fire.

Yeah, I mean, you tried. It sorta helps , but doesn't address any of the root cause issues.

/13

And now we're in the middle of a terrible global pandemic with this sad broken system.

Before you come at me with your nonsense, please be know I'm well versed. I work in health care and I'm a #longhauler. I got sick with COVID-19 in March and never got better.

/14

I've had a fever for 236 days straight. I've been to the ER a handful of times, met with 2 Rheumatologists, a vascular surgeon and an integrated medicine doc. I've had so much imaging done I'm fairly certain I glow in the dark now.

/15

Covid tests weren't available back in March when I needed it, so my family & I aren't included in any of the US covid statistics. I didn't die so that's great but I'm a shell of who I used to be.

How many more will get #LongCovid like me? Will they get the care they need?

/16

We're not counting or tracking #LongCovid. There isn't even an ICD-10 code for it in our medical system. That means doctor's cannot diagnose you with it properly in their system. I'm diagnosed with fever of unknown origin which is bull. I KNOW THE ORIGIN!

/17

I have good insurance and can afford quality care. I'm lucky to have a supportive company that's letting me take medical leave to try & recover.

Every American should have this privilege.

/18

I could rage for hours, but I'll call it a day. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

19/19