First of all, I would argue that $2000 is not irreversibly devastating. One could pay it back over a couple of years. Secondly, as another poster said, one should be contributing to an HSA, saving in anticipation of such an expense. Thus in all but the rarest of cases most of the money should be already available in such a situation.
I do agree that fighting insurance companies is a problem. Perhaps the government should require insurance companies to electronically code their policies so that you can get instant pre-approval for medical care on site, with steep fines to insurance companies for reneging on payment for pre-approved procedures.
As a society, we need to do everything we can to reduce the transaction costs of accessing health care. I'll bet that 15-20% or more of health costs are administrative, which is ridiculous.
Finally, many HSA plans realize that preventive care is important and provide "first dollar" coverage for preventive care, meaning the plan pays for it, not you (via your HSA account). See: http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=21554
I do agree that fighting insurance companies is a problem. Perhaps the government should require insurance companies to electronically code their policies so that you can get instant pre-approval for medical care on site, with steep fines to insurance companies for reneging on payment for pre-approved procedures.
As a society, we need to do everything we can to reduce the transaction costs of accessing health care. I'll bet that 15-20% or more of health costs are administrative, which is ridiculous.
Finally, many HSA plans realize that preventive care is important and provide "first dollar" coverage for preventive care, meaning the plan pays for it, not you (via your HSA account). See: http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=21554