Are you paying more for health insurance than a man?

By Anonymous October 30, 2008 - 12:20pm

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I just read an article in The New York Times about how women are paying more than men for individual health insurance policies. In some states, as much as 50% more. And this is even when maternity care is not factored into the equation.

Interestingly, the insurance companies are saying that they charge women more because women use more health care services. Basically, we're much more proactive and focus more on prevention. Whereas, apparently, men tend to avoid going to the doctor as long as possible. Does this make sense to you??

I'm curious to find out if anyone feels that they're paying more for health insurance just due to their gender.....

Here's the link to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/us/30insure.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ei=...

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alysiak

This insurance cost question made me wonder what the death rates of men versus women were for major illnesses, and I found that men die at a higher rate than women from major illnesses. Therefore, since women statistically live longer, the insurance costs to cover them would be held over a longer period of time, therefore cost more.

Why Men are so Good at Dying

October 30, 2008 - 5:47pm

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Alison Beaver

With our current system, it sure does make sense to me! There is very little money, and interest, in anything "prevention related", since we are a society that cares about the right here and right now.

Unfortunately, health insurance companies are no different. If women are using more services now, then they are costing more. That seems to be where the story ends. Since men are more reluctant to go to the doctor, and as a result, may not prevent some conditions that end up costing more to treat...then those extra costs will just be passed down to the insurance carriers who are using more services in the first place: women!

I wish someone would fix this ridiculous cycle. It is well documented (and common sense tells us) that treatment costs more than prevention...but that doesn't win elections, I guess.

October 30, 2008 - 12:45pm