HMO Premiums? Come On, Get Real

The Times provides a much needed service to the community by printing articles like “Informed Consent: Business, Consumers Are Getting Savvier About Choosing Health Plans” (Oct. 16) which help people easily understand the four basic kinds of health plans that are available. However, I think that if you could use more realistic figures in your examples, the articles would make an even greater impact.

I know your example is hypothetical, but the annual cost figures you give I just don’t think are obtainable in Los Angeles County. Example: for an HMO you show premiums of $1,308 per year. Realistic figures would be in the $4,000 to $6,000 range. Quite a difference.

I would like to ask you where I can get similar good coverage for $1,308--or even $2,308. But I know that figures like those do not exist for Los Angeles County and probably any other county in Southern California.

I think we still have a ways to go with health insurance reform in the United States. I feel strongly that the more accurate information the people are able to get, the better the final outcome will be.

SETH K. AKIN, Los Angeles