Applying for Health Insurance: Then and Now

[@BrittanyBearGoesRawr]

You know it's bad when a writer says the language in an application makes his head hurt. I feel bad for you guys in America. Yeah Canada!

[@angeladawson6558]

Brittany Crooks God, I love Canada!

[@ellawu331]

The 😊

[@vlogbrothers]

John Green applies for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchanges and a traditional private insurer: Applying for Health Insurance: Then and Now

[@wrightalex]

Meanwhile in Canada, my registration process was the grueling 8 hour task of emerging from my mother's birth canal.

[@Balthazar2242]

So are you making an argument against the traditional health care based on how enjoyable it was to apply? I don't think that is a very solid argument. The argument should be centered around how helpful the health care actually is and how many people are helped or not helped by it. I have a feeling that both systems have pros and cons, and both should be represented in an unbiased way to see all of those pros and cons. Saying "applying for Obamacare is easier and more fun" does not make it better health care.

[@12349876mimi]

Australia... FREE HEALTH CARE FOR EVERYONE!!

[@PaulVanMetre]

Steven Bowser Man, I hope that strawman you just crushed has access to affordable health care.

[@MrSazerac]

Steven Bowser I hope that crushed strawman doesn't have any pre-existing conditions either.

[@jesuistahmid]

in canada.... you just have to be a citizen. boom!

[@jesuistahmid]

***** lool... canadian healthcare is better than the US overall. the only time canadians go south is to get elective procedures done quickly

[@WarlordStarcraft2]

gotta disagree with ur last point

[@ragingmagikarp7190]

Cronicas 559 That’s not true. My paternal side of the family is Canadian, so I can give you the good and bad first hand. The bad is that my father was recommended for elective knee surgery but would have had to wait six months since he wasn’t in pain nor affecting his ability to work, but since it was affecting his ability to coach and play rugby in his free time he got it done in the US. The good is a) it’s much cheaper (my brother had to be hospitalized and administered IVs for two days during a visit over Easter one year, and the total bill at the end was around $600 - and the nurses wouldn’t stop apologizing for how much that was) and b) they treat you immediately if there’s something urgent. My grandmother had a brain tumor pressing slightly on her optical nerve about 20 years ago, and the time between the doctors determining that there was a problem and her being under the knife was two days. Two days! So yeah it sucks that for cosmetic or elective procedures you’ll have to wait a while, but after living in the US for half a decade now the waits seem about the same.

[@MaskinJunior]

...mean while in socialist Sweden you don't have to fill out anything, or wait for servers. You are insured, to some extent even if you travel abroad.

[@The_king567]

They are not socialist read a book

[@MaskinJunior]

@@The_king567 No we are social-democratic but most Americans cant see the difference. I dont need to read a book, I live here.

[@The_king567]

@@MaskinJunior no you are not you are still a capitalist country your own leaders say this

[@dacomomomusic2801]

"At this point, I almost have it memorized" XD XD

[@JoyMarcusSTL]

This act will enable millions of people (me included) to start their own businesses because we're not tried to jobs we hate. I am the proud owner of a digital agency and have hired freelancers just like me to come together to work for clients. Profitable, freeing and worth the birth pangs and messiness of getting something positive done when all we have are naysayers in Government that want to keep the status quo.

[@JoyMarcusSTL]

I mean, "tied" not "tried." You're smart, you probably already figured that out.

[@HotLeadretired]

I used my Obamacare card today. I kept the same doctor I always had. I kept the same dentist I always had. I go to the same pharmacy I always have. My medication was $6.00 dollars more than it used to be. My doctor visit was $5.00 dollars more than it used to be. I can live with that especially if I never have to work again.

[@genessab]

Hot Lead retired why do you never have to work again wut

[@pedrokantor3997]

Sounds like ACA has failed you.

[@ryannwiseman238]

Thank you, John. I am sure that I will be lost in a sea of comments, but I believe in showing appreciation to those who deserve it. Everything you and your brother do is amazing to me, and I believe that you have helped shape me not only as a nerdfighter, but also as a general nonsuckish person. I am truly grateful to both of you. I know this may seem ridiculously clichéd, but thank you, John.

[@FR2846]

Got ticket. Felt shame.

[@Jesusisyhwh]

Are you sure you signed up for it, since only a few hundred signed up by the 2nd day?

[@zoejade9786]

"My name? Oh! It just so happens I know that" :')

[@sugarcoma8048]

This video is gold.I don't even know what was the best part. "my name is John", "a little underwhelming" and "mental emotional or behavioral disorder" You are awesome! Thanks for spending all the time doing this

[@ElleHartStrings]

That is why you should live in Canada. No applying for medical insurance.

[@SinHurr]

Just go to the doctor, prove you're Canadian, and poof - treatment?

[@harrisonfreund7845]

yeah.

[@SinHurr]

Harry Freund I am so jealous it hurts.

[@harrisonfreund7845]

me too.

[@aajjeee]

hksin11186 you may still have to pay for some stuff, for example, they give a % back on meds up to a certain point

[@fredhman2176]

wtf? I signed up for my private health insurance in about 20 minutes. i dont know what the hell he was doing.

[@neilriddoch23]

You've heard of weighted questions? this is a weighted video. Come'on John, we expect better.

[@BookWormNat]

I just finished reading Paper Towns a few minutes ago. AMAZING!! And a few days ago, I finished reading The Fault In Our Stars. Also AMAZING!! You are my favorite author EVER!! I WILL read all of your books. GOD Bless you!!

[@TheBookGoddess333]

JOHN IS WEARING A MOCKINGJAY SHIRT. You have no idea how happy that makes me.

[@shiftyjake]

Hey! This was the most recent video posted when I decided to watch EACH and EVERY vlogbrothers video in chronological order. I'm so close!

[@JohnThornton]

Wonderful video, thanks for making it! The nightmare of our pre-Obamacare system needs to be pointed out and you did a great job of it!

[@anaclaudiateza6813]

YOUR T-SHIRT OMFG!!!! BRAZIL LOVES YOU AND WE ARE WITH THE MOCKINGJAY TOO! 💕 you're the best

[@crismolina4065]

Thank you Nerdfighter for once again shedding light on a controversial subject. You rock. DFTBA

[@MrImagin]

in 2022, this process is a bit smoother. no server errors and 21 minutes to complete application #improvement

[@TheMadrepore]

I dig it. I like how this was done. Keep it up. Keep educating us. Education is power.

[@afredhitch8212]

He gave me some serious food stamps. I love the guy. Keep it coming, love that change!

[@siimsimmy]

Never been more grateful to live in Toronto.

[@savvageorge]

Moving to a new country is really hard, I admire people who have the guts to do it. I actually live in Europe, my ancestors weren't brave enough to escape across the Atlantic when times got bad.

[@MarMaxMer]

this makes the appliance for health care in the Netherlands seem so easy and fast. I did my appliance this year within ten minutes and that already felt like forever, I feel for you Americans.

[@NTclaymore]

Couldnt you just waited and automaticly recieved a card that you just have to show to any doctor in the country to get most treatments without using your wallet? if its coloured blue it might even work the same way in other nearby countries aswell.

[@Nshane100]

I appreciate your constructive comment and will research the points you have made. I'm glad that some that people on KZbin can have a rational discussion.

[@KattoTang]

All I hear is "I don't know anything, so I'm going to throw words at you hoping I'll make you cry so I can feel better about myself." Please keep it up. It's quite amusing.

[@FirstHillSeattle]

This is so true. Simplistically this is how it will work: MRI costs $500. Four people are given an MRI, two with no insurance and no way to pay, and two with insurance. So to cover costs, the hospital bills the two with insurance $1000 each, and the premiums of those people rise accordingly. If all were covered, the actual cost would be charged to each, with insurance premiums going down. People really will see a savings in the long run.

[@ryoko-maul]

I maintain that this is educational

[@Khaldun1]

Wow. Thank you for citing an individual founding father. It always bothers me when people talk so sacredly about the "founding fathers" as if they were one single body that agreed on everything, instead of a bunch of people who fought constantly and profoundly disagreed for decades on the role of government. It's a pet peeve of mine, so thanks.

[@JordanVanRyn]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN GREEN!!!

[@Commager88]

Ok. This is the type of video I need!

[@iwanebbing]

Hi Jessica, I see your point. This is not really a thing for me to worry about. I'm not a resident of the USA. But I would like to understand the debate 'you' are having. My point of view is different. I don't mind paying more now I'm healthy, but I can rest assured that, when I'm old or sick, my medical bill will be payed. And yes, it gets on my nerves sometimes that I also pay for people who make 'wrong' life choises. But I also pay for people who can't help there illness...

[@ThomasRye]

A very important part of this process that I was hoping to find out about is COST. Sure, user experience on the websites can make one sign up better than the other, but the long term, meaningful differences will be function and cost. I hope he does another one in the future showing or discussing this.

[@samuelandrychowski1769]

I think the affordable care act will pay off in the long run. We may have some trouble adjusting to the new system for a little while, but once we get used to it and have it as part of our routine, I think most people will see how useful and beneficial it is.

[@whitedragons919]

I'm glad it's worked for you John Green. It still hasn't worked for me, though I've tried several times each day to do so. In the meantime, I've EASILY figured out how much more my current health insurance is going to cost making those changes required under "Obama Care"...$150 more a month with no changes to my coverage. oh well, I guess that's the price for "Affordable Health Care" Or maybe I'll just deal with the fine of not conforming to Obama Care...

[@NCDesmo]

Since I already have insurance I haven't needed to attempt applying for coverage using the ACA exchanges. But is it possible that you didn't actually 'apply' for an insurance policy on the ACA exchange, but rather provided application eligibility information to the insurance companies available on that exchange. And once you choose one of those companies, they will then ask you the same types of history questions in order to get you into the correct category of insurance?

[@blee5533]

on another note, the less people that op out, or the more people that participate, will ultimately allow them to eventually lower the premium costs, as well as the deductibles. But since people don't fully understand how the system works, they are reluctant to invest in it. Therefore, less income for obamacare, meaning premiums will be slightly higher until more people buy in.

[@Vcrusk]

I LOVE YOUR SHIRT JOHN!!!! I WANT IT SO BADLY!!!

[@eimearwillett]

IS THAT A MOCKINGJAY SHIRT OMFG I KIND OF REALLY LOVE YOU

[@ashowarth9381]

Never have I been so glad I'm English

[@MegaBytesFTW]

Fun fact: everyone in america who is paying taxes is already paying taxes for health insurance. You were paying for all the people on medicaid, and such. But now with a govt regulated health care plan it's possible to lower the cost of health care nationwide. Meaning in the end you would end up paying if not a little bit more for taxes, about the same amount as before. But the main thing is if everyone has insurance, that means a lot less people to get you sick with flu etc.

[@iamannedroid]

"... unless Henry has done something in the last couple of minutes" I KINDA DIED

[@sohigh10]

Fair point, but weren't you required by law to have insurance anyway? And opening the markets would be a great idea, I don't see why that isn't like that already.

[@AutoSear]

When was the last time the healthcare industry was unregulated? Decades ago? When a house visit from the local doctor cost $10?

[@brian60644]

Ok, that is a very reasonable stance. We can agree on that!

[@Khaldun1]

If you're curious, the Kaiser Foundation website has an online calculator to help you determine the differences between your costs. You put in some basic information and it gives you a pretty simple summary.

[@DedecanRead]

that was surprisingly a very fun and amusing video

[@mfsavino]

I wonder how comparable the two insurance plans are? Are they the same coverage or catastrophic versus full point of service coverage. That could affect the types of questions. Also, the old way of buying health insurance is definitely outdated but there were options to use call in services or meet with a broker who is paid a fee to help you complete the application. One good thing will be that insurance companies will have to change how their applications work, that will be good for everybody.

[@hamham3binky]

But the whole point is that you don't have to use obamacare, right? You can still be privately insured if you can.

[@Qutie_Pie]

Do you mean how the FDA puts their seal of approval on prescription and over-the-counter drugs? Cosmetics and health related products? Medical devices?

[@edweagle]

I am Canadian so I fully admit I am not versed in your systems down there so correct me if I am wrong, as I understood it, the affordable health insurance was more for low income families and those with preconditions that had trouble getting insurance through normal means, not everyone. Wouldn't you be better suited for normal insurance or through your place of work insurance?

[@youwithoutme]

Would be interesting to see what price difference is for same coverage between the healthcare exchange and private insurance, like which would be cheaper for same coverage.

[@the0amazing0joe]

My mom sells private insurance in Canada. It sounds pretty much like that Obamacare application, with your monthly rate determined by your age, whether you smoke, and if you are overweight.

[@jp3d2k]

The only reason medical insurance companies care about your past is so that they can decide to not cover you if you have a previously existing condition. "Not caring" is a really good thing in this case.

[@citored85]

That's what I love about my Canadian health care, once you're born the question process would be more akin to "Do you have a pulse and did it originate in Canada?" and I'd reply with "WAAH MAH kgfdjskblnfdjkasbjfrea" and they'd say "Okay that's close enough." Private coverage for drugs or dental work would be a little more complicated but it's so weird that I'd have to convince people to insure me for basic stuff, that's such an alien concept, like how British people feel about tipping servers.

[@Robotdoll]

There's a difference here. Providing medical history to a doctor so he knows, say, if you're allergic to any medications, or if you've already received treatment for something before, so they can suggest the proper care. Giving it to the insurance company before you've even gotten the policy is (or was, before October 1) is solely intended to help them the data to turn you down for a policy, or provide ways to refuse payment if you give incorrect (albeit accidentally)

[@lampsalot]

Well said. I was thinking the same thing while watching this video.

[@Qutie_Pie]

Let me get this straight: You are saying that private health care providers main 'job' should be to turn a profit for their shareholders BEFORE giving care to the people who are actually paying for the service in the first place?

[@Chakkademus]

Absolutely, because that's their job - to insure people and provide them the assistance they need, rather than deny coverage because somebody in their family coughed once.

[@undead890]

Also, another problem with Single Payer is overcrowding, which causes longer wait times. Usually, many of the people who go to hospitals don't really need to, they just have a minor problem that can be solved by simple rest and over the counter medicine. But, because they don't have to pay for healthcare, they choose to go to the hospital instead, taking the place of someone who really needs the care. That has to change.

[@Bwkjam]

At first I thought he was actually signing up for health insurance, I was like "you have multiple best selling books, a successful and diverse career on the Internet, and a family of four yet you didn't bother to buy health insurance."

[@Robotdoll]

Bear in mind that here in America the rules for sharing medical information (known as "HIPAA) electronically are convoluted and somewhat new. Also, as the government is not running the health care system (yet), there is no such central depository for that data. one may exist for medicare/medicaid, the systems the government does run.

[@LucaMasters]

This isn't about people not knowing what's best for them. It's making what's best for them be also what's best for everyone else. Basically solving the tragedy of the commons or the prisoner's dilemma. Taxes can change the rational behavior from "Everyone else is going to take what they can, so I have to as well" to "I can count on everyone else to work together to make us all better off and I must participate to share in these benefits." Game theory is an important part of economics.

[@Overitall23]

Oh I watched the entire video. The health exchange website in my state doesn't work properly. People have been trying over the last few weeks to get logged on without success. I even tried myself multiple times to see what it was all about and it gave me errors.

[@Codishable]

So anyway I was doing a quick search on the DU munitions you mentioned earlier, and what I found is that DU while faintly radioactive (and controversial) is not really comparable to nukes. Militarily, it's high density seems to make it use-full for use as a sort of armor plating as well as in armor piercing bullets. You were partially right however, according to the huffington post DU was used in the Iraq and Gulf war and had some negative implications. Basically, we didn't nuke them.

[@Inritus618]

Can't the government access our medical/law-related records without having to ask us for more than permission, where the private insurers have to get the information from us directly? I'm not sure of this, which is why I'm asking.

[@phoneguy4901]

You didn't actually sign up for insurance at the ObamaCare site, you just got access to look at the different options that are available in your state. Once you get to the meat of the site, you will see that a lot of the question are the same, they need to just how much to charge you. So in comparison, the part of the site where you put your name, wife, kids, and then clicked next are the same and the time was much faster on the private side.

[@QQBenefits]

Hi John, The video is really nice. But as someone said in below comments, have you tried it recently? Or with private quote engines? I think that would definitely be another unique experience. And I am sure that video will also get popular just like this one. Another thing is March 31st is approaching. That is last date for open enrollment. Your video will help lots of people too. Cheers . . .. Mark

[@L00NGB00W]

To me, the issue is not big government or small government, but transparency of the government in order to ensure that the people are represented. It depends what the government workers are doing... If they're it's building roads, schools, power plants, and factories... Fantastic. If they're spying on their own citizens, maybe not so good...

[@raebeth2036]

John I have a random question for you that no one can ever seem to give me a straight answer. I thought you might be able to help. Let's say you have a box and the inside of the box is lined with mirrors so no light can escape. Then let's say you have a light appear and disappear. Wouldn't the light continue to reflect off the mirrors and stay present in the box? Because light travels it doesn't become nonexistent. I would extremely appreciate if you could somehow give me an answer for this! Thx

[@OXDAWN]

Initially, private insurers started with very few questions, but today, they do require way too much information. Also, what got them in this bind to begin with, it's the preexisting conditions, which were used to disqualify people.

[@tuikun02]

I agree with you to a point, but how much income from peoples labor should be taken? 10,30,50,80% what do you think is fair? Over 25% is taken out of my paycheck in taxes every time I get paid. I'm taxed again when I buy stuff that I need in the form of sales tax. I'm taxed again in the form of regulatory fees on util bills, property taxes etc. Taxes for EBT and SNAP are great until we run out of working peoples money or the productive people realize EBT is the better deal than laboring.

[@branhoff]

Yes, that's true. However, as the time has progressed it is so far proving to not be more affordable. In fact, it's hitting the middle class very hard. The other large fear is that many people are beginning to say that they are going to have to drop their healthcare coverage because it is unaffordable and that they will just take the fine. if that happens with a large enough quantity of people, it will DRAMATICALLY increase rates.

[@MagicSnaily]

Under the ACA all the government is running is the website. "Running healthcare" is still the responsibility of healthcare organizations and insurance companies, they just have new regulations to comply with that will (in theory) insure that more people get the care they need more efficiently. No one can say at this point whether the new regulations will have the intended effect but the it's still up to the private sector to "run things"

[@NCDesmo]

Because when 'applying' directly with the insurance company, they need to know eligibility and health history to provide you with a quote on the actual cost of the insurance. A better example would be to work through the process until you have a policy, then make the comparison.

[@NoReezN]

As a Canadian American, I agree that there are a lot of great things about Canada, unfortunately the US can't provide all of the services Canada can. The country is large, and highly populated, and reforming things radically is practically impossible. I don't think that the government is to blame, I think that the logistics of running the US is to blame.

[@afredhitch8212]

Same in CT! Private insurance for my family ($5,000 deductible) on Jan 1st is $349 per month. Same plan through Obamacare pool is $1,140. If I made less than $65 K per year, than the Obamacare would be subsidized but still be $450 per month ($100 higher than private). Worries me to think what will happen when the private insurance companies realize that they can charge me more when they realize Obamacare would charge me $1,140. The market would almost demand they meet the high Obamacare price.

[@anastasiaromanov2260]

Going through the website, to sign up for health insurance, is not getting him on some government funded insurance, he will get private healthcare. The only government funded insurances are medicare, medicaid, and what's available for government employees. Medicare was expanded to allow more people on it, but not for certain states who turned refused to do that. Other than that there are subsidies (tax breaks) based on your income - but it's still private insurance companies.

[@Khaldun1]

Exceptionally well-said.

[@AutoSear]

"I don't see why people think they only have to pay for health insurance once they actually get something" This law encourages exactly that! You can just buy health insurance when you discover you're sick because of the pre-existing condition clause. Look, the solution is simple. Open the markets, let them compete across state lines like they do in the car insurance market and rates will drop. Like you said, it's a collective, remove the restrictions that prevent pooling people together.

[@tabula_rosa]

You'll be glad for it when that changes-- and believe me, it will

[@briddenattech]

Ok, I, being an (ex) full time employee see the effects of Obama-care first hand. I WAS a shift manager at a Zaxby's. WAS. Because of Obama care, the chain has effectively cut every worker's hours to 28 or less, also eliminating the shift manager position. Now, this was not just me, this was every employee in the district, including the ones living on min. wage. The issue is not with Obama-care, the issue is with all of the side effects that come with it.

[@undead890]

My ideal healthcare system is too long to describe here, and without all the info, it would seem farfetched, but then again, sometimes the best ideas are. It is a combination of the quality and effeciency of private healthcare with the cost controls and regulations of single payer, no more long waits, no more worrying about going bankrupt, no more relying soley on the government to provide you the care you need, all those problems are a thing of the past.

[@TheInfiniteEnd]

Actually, the situation has changed drastically. With the new rules that prevent insurance providers from refusing to give you coverage or dropping you at the first hint that you might be sick most of those questions don't matter anymore. Since they can't deny you, and can't drop you. It just doesn't matter. So yes, it really is that simple now. Your health history may get asked for later when you actually sign up for a plan. As far as an up front question though, it's a mute point.

[@Khaldun1]

The problem with the American healthcare industry is not that it's regulated, it's that it's very poorly regulated. The free market doesn't work in the health insurance industry for several reasons that any university level course in microeconomics can explain-mostly demand inelasticity and asymmetric information. It also doesn't help that all healthcare laws in this country prevent the government from having leverage over providers in order to lower costs. The ACA helps, though its not perfect.

[@FL0730]

Nnnnoooooo...You were my favorite author of all time! But then you ordered a Pepsi...Oh no.

[@Lutranereis]

Week two and I still haven't gotten through the ACA's application process.

[@johnbrownlee2079]

So the point is that the website isn't quite "there yet"?

[@blee5533]

Oh I am currently still on their plan. Which is another plus for me with obamaC extending the coverage until I am 26. Parents get full health and dental through IBM. But, in my scenario to obtain instate tuition from my university, I have to show I can afford to live without help from my parents, for at least a year. Which is why i know so much because I am forced to pay my share of the family's health insurance ($113.00/mo). My costs listed were estimates from my employer, which I deny for IBM

[@gocanadayayyy]

I really hope this coverage sticks. IMO the US needs it. Like really badly.

[@Khaldun1]

Your rates are really going up? If you make $1800-$1900 a month, you're within the 400% range that receives a subsidy for insurance. Have you looked at the cost of exchanges versus what you've got now?

[@RespectMyPointOfView]

I read your previous post and saw "faintly" and "basically" I think I may be a little bit pregnant so I'm going to give it a rest, good day sir.

[@kseniya1982]

this made my day, I laughed a lot , especially at the part with private insurance

[@LoudMissLucy]

The reason the health care and medicine industry is so profitable in America is because there is not set cost structure, and because we rely on private insurance, health care and medicine providers drive the prices up. Compare the price of a flu shot in American compared to Europe and you can plainly see we are overpaying. America may be a leader in SOME medical process but that is not necessarily a sign of profit, but intelligence and technology.

[@Nshane100]

Obamacare is meant to make getting insurance easier and more affordable regardless of preexisting conditions, so it makes sense to work it like this. Is it good for the economy? I don't really know, but it seems like its going to help a lot of people so I'm behind it.

[@jbartlet827]

In trying to explain the recent government shutdown and ObamaCare to my teenager, the question of the debt ceiling came up. She asked me why the government needs to continually borrow money just to function. I'm afraid I don't have an answer. Can you guys explain it like you were telling a six-year old so I can pass the info along? Also, thanks for all your great videos. I wish I'd had these, SciShow and CrashCourse when I was in school!