All I want for Christmas is my colonoscopy....

[PA Democrat]

Color me jaded, but this article really rubbed me the wrong way.

A local health insurance company has figured out a way to cash in on the holiday shopping season by encouraging people to buy health care gift cards for the uninsured or under insured on their Christmas list. Oh, and for a fee. That card involves a $4.95 fee for the insurance company, who also gets to use your money until the card is redeemed.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07306/830560-114.stm

<snip>

The card itself costs $4.95, and can be loaded with as little as $25, which might cover a prescription co-pay, to as much as $5,000, which could pay for an elective surgery, such as Lasik.

"Ultimately, we think this product may go national," said Kim Bellard, Highmark's vice president of e-marketing and consumer relations. He expects other insurers will be interested in using the "intellectual technology," which Highmark hopes to patent.

"We do expect other people to follow," he said. "We certainly expect phone calls from other Blues plans. ... I would love to get a phone call from AARP."

If the patent is received, any insurer or organization that tries selling a similar gift card may owe Highmark royalties.

[CorpGovActivist]

1. Do They Come in Kiddie Denominations ...

... as a "private sector solution" to the S-CHIP funding veto?

- Dave

[PA Democrat]

2. Yes, but no toys for those kids. They can't have both health care and a new toy!

Oh, and Santa does not give health care gift cards to "naughty" boys and girls.

[Fridays Child]

3. This is so disturbing.

What next? Gift cards for police or fire protection? Or a semester of "public" education? Those who might think my suggestions ridiculous should ask themselves why health care would be any different.

[liberal N proud]

4. They are even charging extra for the card

The card itself costs $4.95, and can be loaded with as little as $25. Wal-Mart doesn't even do that with their gift cards.

Thieves all of them.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. The 4.95 is what's in it for the insurance bastards. If I was going to

pay for somebody's operation, I sure as hell wouldn't pay those assholes an extra 4.95, I'd just pay the bill.