Posted: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 12:30 am
Welcome to Ask Doc Dossman, a weekly column where you can ask Long Beach’s pre-eminent sports therapist…whatever you want! If you already forgot who Doc is, click here to read our introduction. To visit Doc’s website, click here, and buy his book, What I’ve Learned From Your Kids. Email questions to Doc ataskdoc@docdossman.com.
Wassup Strong Beach?!?
I hope you have all had a great start to your week! We have a video blog coming up this week, so keep your eyes peeled. I’m not 100% sure which video is featured but stay tuned anyway! Remember to keep the questions coming—without your questions, there is no column. No question is out of bounds. Ask away! Let’s get started…
Greetings Doc,
I’m so frustrated! I don’t know what you know about insurance companies or if you deal with them at all. I just figure it wouldn’t hurt to ask. My insurance carrier just increased their premiums by 50%!!! I know . . . I won’t mention the carrier’s name because I know you will probably edit this information. My question is: How can they do this? My company has decided to opt out for a more economically reasonable plan. How on earth do they expect to stay in business if they do things like this that push their clients away?
Frustrated Insured
Dear Frustrated Insured,
I deal with the insurance industry daily and I am frustrated as well, my friend! I could talk all day about what’s wrong about the insurance game, but I will focus on your query. I will keep it simple for everyone. Many insurance carriers are increasing their premiums. They aren’t all going up 50% but they are all charging more and giving less. It is simple mathematics, really.
If Company “A” boosts their premiums by 50% but loses 25% of their subscribers in the process, have they really lost? The answer is a resounding “NO!” They have actually made more money! It’s all about the bottom line. The insurance company makes money because you are regularly paying them for services that you never use. If you don’t get in a car accident, your car insurance company makes money. If your house doesn’t burn down this month, your homeowner’s insurance company is making a killing because they are able to hold onto your money and invest it! Regarding health care insurance, I will give you my theory. I do not know your age, so I hope I do not offend.
It’s the baby boomers!!! Yes! They are getting older! They make up a majority of the population. As this population ages, they are relying on their healthcare benefits more now than ever before! It’s just that time. They had to get older eventually. Now they are cashing in on their health benefit and “Insurance Company B” has to cough up the big bucks now! Who is going to help to offset some of this expense?
I will tell you. It is the younger, healthy American who doesn’t really find much use for health insurance benefits because he/she is young and essentially indestructible and immortal. These younger members are paying more money each year and, statistically, they are going to the doctor less. It doesn’t add up, but then again, it does.
How come our health insurance can’t be like car insurance? Why not be rewarded for being healthy like you are when you keep a clean driving record? Maybe you can penalize me if I make decisions that put my health at risk. I don’t want my rate to climb every year just because that’s the way the process works. This is just one man’s opinion.
Hello Doc Dossman,
I hope this email finds you in good health. I hope that my request is not out of line, but I had a question about your services. Do you ever do house calls or provide concierge, on-call type services? I realize that you are busy. I wonder if it is even worthwhile in your type of business. Anyhow, I was curious and thought I would ask. Thanks for your time.
John Clayton
Mr. Clayton!
As a matter of fact, I am mobile! My schedule is pretty hectic since I wear so many hats, so because of this, I don’t publically advertise this service. The rates are understandably and necessarily higher for this premium service, so most patients simply choose to come see me in the office! Others prefer I come to them, so I make the time. Their willingness to pay the mobile rate is evidence enough for me that they want to be priority one! I’m there! Call me!
Hello Dr. Dossman,
My question might seem foolish in comparison to the ones you get everyday. I was hoping to get your opinion on my “aging crisis.” I am a 43-year-old male athlete. I am an athlete. I do not play for any team, but I take my workout and fitness very seriously. I take pride in training just as hard as my son and his teammates. I even enjoy a little trash talking with them from time to time. I tell them that I am “ageless” and that I am in better shape than them.
Well Doc, herein lies my dilemma. I have challenged a few of them to my own rendition of a triathlon. In this version we play basketball, run a 5K, and then hit the pool for laps. Do you have any strategy tips for me? Am I delusional? Am I in over my head?
Mr. Young Man
Young Man!
I like your swagger! Keep it up and don’t stop! It is healthy for you, whether or not you can reign victorious over your “triathlon challenge!” Don’t stop! I will give you one tip: Spread your event out over time! Do one event per weekend. If you take this advice, you might actually have a fighting chance!
The truth is, I know that I am in better shape and condition than 90% of high school students. My fitness level might be comparable to that of a high school athlete. I am being very generous with the word “comparable.” To make my point, I will use my own athletic endeavors.
I used to play basketball at Victoria Park in Carson on Sundays. I took pride in balling with the high school kids. I held my own. I could speed up and down the court with the best of them. I might even have a high scoring game and stay on for a few. Do you know what separates them from me? RECOVERY time. The next 48 hours of my life are a living hell. Everything aches and I feel pain with every step the very next morning. Those kids are back at the park the next day, going just as hard and fast as they did the day before!
That’s their advantage! That is the secret Young Man! They recover much faster than we do. It is part of the human growth hormone thing. They’ve got more of it than we do! If you space things out to give yourself ample recovery time, you can level the playing field! Just don’t challenge those kids to the triathlon duel all in one weekend. They will have you for lunch. Keep me posted!
Well that was fun! I hope you learned something or at least were entertained in someway. I can’t give you your time back! J I hope that you have a wonderful week and you will hear from me again soon. Until then, stay Strong Beach!
To visit Doc’s website, click here, and buy his book, What I’ve Learned From Your Kids. Email questions to Doc ataskdoc@docdossman.com.
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