At 10:48 PM -0700 10/31/97, Secret Squirrel wrote:
Tim May wrote:
Read "The Millionaire Next Door" for tips on what millionaires (who are of course the "barely non-poor" these days) are likely to be wearing and flaunting. Turns out that most Yuppies driving BMWs and wearning Rolexes are doing so on _credit_. Driving a Mercedes or BMW has nothing to do with actual ability to pay bills.
Perception, not reality, is what is important here. A wealthy appearing person will generally fare better.
It's true, however, that you are probably better off with proof of insurance than an expensive watch when being wheeled into the emergency room. (Except for your privacy, that is.)
Those deciding on admittance don't look for Rolexes (besides, fake Rolexes sell for about $29 at any flea market). What an insurance card is really a *line of credit*. Or a *proof of payment*. The admitting hospital knows they'll at least be reimbursed for the initial visit and emergency treatment. By contrast, those lacking such a card may use all sorts of claims to avoid payment fo the bill. I certainly agree that there ought to be better ways to tell a hospital: "Look, I can and will pay for treatment if you admit me to your emergency room." Even better, "And I'd like to pay the "preferred rate," not the 3-4x inflated price you publish as your "list price."" However, at this time it looks like a Blue Cross or Blue Shield or equivalent card is the only recognized way to meet these goals. Perhaps there's a business idea for some enterprising Cypherpunk. A prepaid hospital card, good for a few days' worth of treatment (e.g., $5000), but only at the better rates. This could even be done with Chaumian privacy-protecting methods. There's an idea. --Tim May The Feds have shown their hand: they want a ban on domestic cryptography ---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---- Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, ComSec 3DES: 408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA | knowledge, reputations, information markets, Higher Power: 2^2,976,221 | black markets, collapse of governments. "National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."