My price would be about 5 grand. Republican party, take note.
I'm registered green right now and I usually vote third-party. I'm joking about ever selling my vote, but you never know. I guess it would really be hard to do, but part of me doesn't have any faith in the system to begin with, so...
We apologize to all of Paul's readers who encountered the slow down. It was regrettable, but in the end, we identified a programming flaw and now have a better site.
Keeping a system from being hacked is inherently difficult. It's not the small problem you say it is.
The problem with the GEMS system was that the database files were regular JET database engine .mdb files. There wasn't a strong "key" system where only the GEMS application could read and write data these files. So writing a hack was feasible (and it was done).
What GEMS could have done was create a special, secure file system that exists as a file on the hard disk. Put the database in there, and the secure file system would have to be mounted, with a "key" of some kind, before it could be used. The filesystem could have restrictions on the number of connections, what apps could connect, and could also log transactions or other things to improve security.
It obviously depends on the price. If someone offered me $1 million, I would definitely do it. But the likelihood of getting that much money for 1 measly vote is ridiculous. I would not sell it for $10 or the like. I'd probably be seriously swayed around the $1000-$2000 mark.
Now regarding the electronic voting machines... I bet they'd get paid quite a bit to change a vote. Knowing what I do about programming (I'm not a programmer by profession but have made a few apps in the past), just tallying up votes for a bunch of people is not the most complicated thing in the world. In fact, I could make an app in 10 minutes that would successfully and accurately tally votes with virtually no chance of error. The only issues with such machines is making sure they can't be hacked which does present a small challenge, but not enough to create the doubt that has been created thus-far. I really don't understand why there are so many issues with such machines. This isn't that complicated.
(Boy, those people who go around posting spelling corrections must be SO busy with all that’s out there on The Internets! I am so grateful for them – you know I spent an entire hour yesterday looking for a Von’s and couldn’t find one! Now I know why…)
The problem with health insurance for the self-employed is not principally the expense (although it is a lot of money--it needs to be right up their in the budget with rent and groceries). The problem is that, for anyone who becomes sick insurance becomes unavailable. That transforms the jump from employee to being entrepreneur, freelancer, or semi-retired from a simply lifestyle choice into a huge financial gamble.
I, like many other worker/slaves, have a combination health plan/health insurance provided by my employer. I've thought that to leave them, I'd need to replace it with a 'Cadillac' plan that cost say $10,000/year. Using the AnnJo approach, I can get a catastrophic insurance coverage which lets say runs me 3k per year. So, now in a good and healthy year, I can reasonably pocket up to 5k of the difference.
I don't have a problem with regifting (or slightly used gifting), but I don't normally practice it myself. I just don't have the room to store things I'm not using AND don't like. So gifts I don't like go right out the door (charity usually). Garbage in, garbage out.
For those who think this is insensitive and it's the thought that counts...it only counts if there actually was thought. My classic example of an inappropriate gift is a stuffed polar bear that farts when you squeeze it. Great gift for an 8 year old boy, not so much for a 20-something girl! (Exceptions may apply) On the other hand, I'd long been searching for a strawberry inspired trivet. A friend's mother had one in her attic. Needless to say, this was a great gift.
In the end, the only gift giving rule that counts is to consider the other person, not what's easiest for you.
I have similar coverage for my family and, like you, make every effort to keep health costs down.
I also agree with your hypothesis that insurance illiteracy accounts for a good chunk of the cost problem. Unfortunately, I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Your description/explanation is about the best I've seen. Thanks.
@ Philip: Thanks for the thoughts on umbrella insurance...I agree with your thoughts on the $5 million. I always enjoy your posts because you look at common things from different angles, a very valuble approach.
@ AnnJo: Tremendous way of thinking about health insurance versus a health plan plus insurance. This insight may actually allow me to think rationally enough to leave traditional employment earlier than I other wise would have.
A lot of people brought up bread. Not all bread is good. While whole grain bread is good, white bread is really bad for you and your waistline. It is rapidly digestible, causes quick rise in blood sugar. This causes your pancreas to quickly produce insulin. Not only this makes you hungry quicker, but it also raises your risk of type II diabetes. Most up-to-date sources suggest minimizing eating rapidly digestible starchy foods like processed grains (white rice, white bread) and potatoes (yes it is potatoes, not what you put on them), and eating whole grains like whole grain bread, brown rice, out bran.
Those are great lessons you thought your children, my parents made sure to teach us that credit cards represented real money and not just some imaginary source of capital, that may explain why I didn't go into major credit card debt when I was in college. Thanks mom & dad!
Thank you for these links. This has been my exact focus of late.
I actually started a blog (that I'm sure I'm about the only person who reads) just to get my own thoughts down about a POSITIVE view of money. I'm want to avoid the negative aspect of frugality, the focus on bad news, and the lack of a good attitude... while at the same time making smart financial choices in order to live a prosperous life.
In this current financial climate, that's not easy.
i am so addicted to lottery tickets im on welfare and spend every last dime on them.I havent won but when i do it will be a rags to riches story...im feeling an itch im going to go buy some tickets now...sorry have to go buy a forty and some tickets.
My oldest wants to give 50-100% of his income away, since he finds little use for money, most of the time. I am challenged with teaching him wise, prudent use of money while being generous and helping those in need.
Thanks Rob for your discussion of the foundational lesson for spending less than you earn. I have this discussion about natural resources as well, particularly water since my area has been in a drought situation (which may change due to hurricane/tropical storm fallout) in this area.
I can see that I tend to tackle things in blocks of time rather than through day-to-day repetition.
Ok. Thanks for the offer to help with the $250/mth thing.
I read these articles you posted. The first two are pretty
close to how it is for me already. Now, I like the third one.
That pantry idea is awesome. I haven't done it yet because
I have no money at all right now. You see, I only live off of
$450/mth atm. There are also two of us. We are lucky enough
to have free housing, but it is expected of us that we provide
our own meals. I am in the process of finding as much government
aid as I can. I know it sounds rediculous, but there are reasons
for it all. This is beside the matter though. The main idea here
is figuring out how to budget meals with $250/mth. I really
do not feel that the idea of eating Ramen Noodles for the rest
of my life is a good idea. Lol. Alot of people suggest this. I
believe that would kill you quicker than not eating at all.
Not really but... Now, traveling from store to store shopping
for deals is out of the question. We can barely leave the house
as it is because of gas prices. So it is better to pay that extra
50 cent than to travel 3 more miles up the road. Even worse when
the gas runs out and we have to ask for the ride or borrow a vehicle! This meal thing is really kicking me in the rear though. I am attempting to leave behind the canned kid foods and frozen dinners and try to cook some decent meals. I have a small kitchenette with all of the supplies that I will need to cook, all I need is the food. I suppose a list for two weeks at a time is about the best I can do, since driving any more often than that is out of the question. I'll be anxious to have the help writing the list. I know one thing, potatoes are a definate. Seafood and dairy are both out, unfortunately, because of allergies. My husband has crohn's disease which keeps
him in and out of the hospital frequently with flair ups if he
eats the "wrong" foods. I have to take this into major consideration as well. Thanks Andrea. Your advice to all is appreciated.
i find the hardest part with dietary/lifestyle changes is getting started. once such new habits have settled, things become much easier.
one of the tricks that have helped me a lot with weight control is to eat more protein (i have lost 15 pounds in the last 6 weeks). i find protein more satisfying, more filling and it keeps hunger away for longer.
the challenge was to find a protein with a low fat content. its amazing how much fat most protein has! i have ended up with soya-mince. any other ideas for low-fat protein?
Your discussion of the out-of-pocket maximum and policy limits is very helpful, but please don't discourage people from knowledgeably exploring individual plan health insurance.
I've been self-employed for 30 years, and had an individual plan all of that time at very reasonable rates (although the rates get pummeled by state politicians who require insurers to add expensive coverage to plans). Currently, I pay a premium of $223 a month for a 55-60 year old non-smoking woman. The policy has a $1,750 deductible, $3,500 coinsurance maximum, $1 million policy limit and 80% coverage within a wide range of participating providers. It's called a "catastrophic plan." It provides no coverage for out-of-hospital meds or preventive care, but covers office visits, etc., and allows me to chose my provider, see a specialist without a "gatekeeper" and choose my own hospitals.
I'm quite happy with it (except for the d**ned politicians' meddling - the policy choices were better and much cheaper 10 years ago before they started poking their noses into it).
Even though the deductible is high, the policy helps pays for itself even if I never go over the deductible, because bills submitted to the insurance company are routinely discounted by 20% to 70% before they are billed to me. What I mean is that, say this year I receive services that would cost me $1,000 if billed privately. Because that is less than the deductible, the insurance company pays nothing, BUT it applies its negotiated discount to the bills, so that when the provider's bill gets to me, it will have been cut by several hundred dollars.
I pay out of pocket (unfortunately with no discount) for my annual checkup (about $200). I pay for my own Celebrex for arthritis (about $150 a year). I am careful not to run to the doctor for every little ache and pain, and do my research online to decide whether I really need to go to the doctor, and whether it makes sense for my first appointment to be with a specialist or my regular family doctor. I get inexpensive flu shots at the local pharmacy, vaccinations at the county health center, check my blood pressure there every few months, get my blood lipids levels checked inexpensively at a local health club, and donate blood, which would flag various ailments.
Obviously, I hold to the insurance model of health insurance. This is similar to the way most of us view our car and homeowner's policies. We don't expect our car insurance to cover oil changes, new tires, car washes, or even a major engine rebuild, nor do we expect our homeowners policy to pay for the yard care, the new roof every couple of decades, or the plugged toilet. Insurance, in this view, is for UNEXPECTED and UNPREDICTABLE events that we cannot reasonably foresee and budget for.
As you point out, there are two views of health insurance, and while my view is one, many people hold to a different one without realizing it, or making a conscious decision to pay for it.
If you believe your health insurance should pay for predictable health events such as annual check-ups, birth control, the minor health mishaps we all have (colds, sprained ankles, and the like), with a very low deductible and low co-pay, then what you are looking for is a pre-paid health plan PLUS insurance, and you will pay through the nose because 1) that is very expensive coverage for the insurance company to provide; 2) the insurance company knows that you will not be making any effort to control your costs; 3) you are asking the insurance company to assume all your risk instead of being willing to share it; and 4) the insurance company recognizes you as one of the "price-insensitive" buyers of their product.
Unfortunately, health insurance illiteracy is probably responsible for at least a quarter of our national uninsured 'crisis,' and many people are overpaying hundreds or thousands of dollars a year for plans that provide more coverage than really needed.
For weeks I haven't been able to read my United States dvd's since I moved to New Zealand but, thanks to your instructions I just bought a Region Free dvd player (very cheap), and now I can watch Any dvd I want, with the exception of region 7.
...take your high-minded, fake morals elsewhere please. People like you are quite happy to tear down someone trying to offer a little harmless advice and you turn it into the destruction of family values! You must be really easy to please, and really boring to be around at parties. By the way, something tells me Miss Manners would hardly appreciate the contempt and snide remarks you have thrown at the author. Grow up, move along, stop reading blogs like this and go read a blog like 'pointless whiners.'
Another idea is to make gift baskets with unwanted items and donate to charity for a sale. Or I donate to the Elks lodge who takes the items to the local veterns home.
About two years ago, I started stair-climbing at work with a colleague. We start at the 2nd floor and walk up to the 24th and then back down. At first, I had to stop almost every second floor to catch my breath. Now, I take a short break at 10, another and 17 and from 24 back down without stopping. Sometimes if we're having an interesting conversation, I forget about 17 and go all the way to the top. We do the whole thing in about 10-12 minutes of our lunch break. It's not that hard and it doesn't cost anything.
Liability policies protect you if you harm someone and get sued, and "umbrella" policies cover the excess over whatever is covered by your homeowners, renters, or auto policy.
I don't know of an equivalent "umbrella" policy for health insurance. As far as I know, the policy limit in your policy is what you get.
As I say, many policies now cover $5 million in medical expenses. At that level (even at $3 million), I don't see much point in getting a higher policy limit: you're so much more likely never to need that much. Plus, if you do need that much, you're much more likely likely to get screwed out of it by having coverage denied, then by going over the top. Better to take whatever money might have gone to more insurance, and then save it and invest it yourself. (Then you can spend it on whatever you need, including uncovered medical expenses.)
On the other hand, if your policy limit is $1 million or less, it'd be worth looking for better insurance. If you buy your own policy, ask about a better one. If your employer buys it, lobby for better coverage.
Hope you're kidding about this.
My price would be about 5 grand. Republican party, take note.
I'm registered green right now and I usually vote third-party. I'm joking about ever selling my vote, but you never know. I guess it would really be hard to do, but part of me doesn't have any faith in the system to begin with, so...
We apologize to all of Paul's readers who encountered the slow down. It was regrettable, but in the end, we identified a programming flaw and now have a better site.
Paul - thanks for the great review!
Dave
Keeping a system from being hacked is inherently difficult. It's not the small problem you say it is.
The problem with the GEMS system was that the database files were regular JET database engine .mdb files. There wasn't a strong "key" system where only the GEMS application could read and write data these files. So writing a hack was feasible (and it was done).
What GEMS could have done was create a special, secure file system that exists as a file on the hard disk. Put the database in there, and the secure file system would have to be mounted, with a "key" of some kind, before it could be used. The filesystem could have restrictions on the number of connections, what apps could connect, and could also log transactions or other things to improve security.
This would have been complex.
...to have done this?
http://adjack.tv/news/post/sorrry/
It obviously depends on the price. If someone offered me $1 million, I would definitely do it. But the likelihood of getting that much money for 1 measly vote is ridiculous. I would not sell it for $10 or the like. I'd probably be seriously swayed around the $1000-$2000 mark.
Now regarding the electronic voting machines... I bet they'd get paid quite a bit to change a vote. Knowing what I do about programming (I'm not a programmer by profession but have made a few apps in the past), just tallying up votes for a bunch of people is not the most complicated thing in the world. In fact, I could make an app in 10 minutes that would successfully and accurately tally votes with virtually no chance of error. The only issues with such machines is making sure they can't be hacked which does present a small challenge, but not enough to create the doubt that has been created thus-far. I really don't understand why there are so many issues with such machines. This isn't that complicated.
You wouldn’t punch a baby carrot would you?
(Boy, those people who go around posting spelling corrections must be SO busy with all that’s out there on The Internets! I am so grateful for them – you know I spent an entire hour yesterday looking for a Von’s and couldn’t find one! Now I know why…)
Thanks, everyone, for all the good comments.
I've written before about only insuring risks (rather than buying insurance to pay routine expenses that you ought to just budget for) here:
http://www.wisebread.com/things-to-insure-things-not-to-insure
The problem with health insurance for the self-employed is not principally the expense (although it is a lot of money--it needs to be right up their in the budget with rent and groceries). The problem is that, for anyone who becomes sick insurance becomes unavailable. That transforms the jump from employee to being entrepreneur, freelancer, or semi-retired from a simply lifestyle choice into a huge financial gamble.
I, like many other worker/slaves, have a combination health plan/health insurance provided by my employer. I've thought that to leave them, I'd need to replace it with a 'Cadillac' plan that cost say $10,000/year. Using the AnnJo approach, I can get a catastrophic insurance coverage which lets say runs me 3k per year. So, now in a good and healthy year, I can reasonably pocket up to 5k of the difference.
I don't have a problem with regifting (or slightly used gifting), but I don't normally practice it myself. I just don't have the room to store things I'm not using AND don't like. So gifts I don't like go right out the door (charity usually). Garbage in, garbage out.
For those who think this is insensitive and it's the thought that counts...it only counts if there actually was thought. My classic example of an inappropriate gift is a stuffed polar bear that farts when you squeeze it. Great gift for an 8 year old boy, not so much for a 20-something girl! (Exceptions may apply) On the other hand, I'd long been searching for a strawberry inspired trivet. A friend's mother had one in her attic. Needless to say, this was a great gift.
In the end, the only gift giving rule that counts is to consider the other person, not what's easiest for you.
AnnJo -
I have similar coverage for my family and, like you, make every effort to keep health costs down.
I also agree with your hypothesis that insurance illiteracy accounts for a good chunk of the cost problem. Unfortunately, I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Your description/explanation is about the best I've seen. Thanks.
@ Philip: Thanks for the thoughts on umbrella insurance...I agree with your thoughts on the $5 million. I always enjoy your posts because you look at common things from different angles, a very valuble approach.
@ AnnJo: Tremendous way of thinking about health insurance versus a health plan plus insurance. This insight may actually allow me to think rationally enough to leave traditional employment earlier than I other wise would have.
A lot of people brought up bread. Not all bread is good. While whole grain bread is good, white bread is really bad for you and your waistline. It is rapidly digestible, causes quick rise in blood sugar. This causes your pancreas to quickly produce insulin. Not only this makes you hungry quicker, but it also raises your risk of type II diabetes. Most up-to-date sources suggest minimizing eating rapidly digestible starchy foods like processed grains (white rice, white bread) and potatoes (yes it is potatoes, not what you put on them), and eating whole grains like whole grain bread, brown rice, out bran.
Good article about eating healthy from Harvard Institute of Public Health - it is based on most up-to-date information: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/healthy-weigh...
Those are great lessons you thought your children, my parents made sure to teach us that credit cards represented real money and not just some imaginary source of capital, that may explain why I didn't go into major credit card debt when I was in college. Thanks mom & dad!
Thank you for these links. This has been my exact focus of late.
I actually started a blog (that I'm sure I'm about the only person who reads) just to get my own thoughts down about a POSITIVE view of money. I'm want to avoid the negative aspect of frugality, the focus on bad news, and the lack of a good attitude... while at the same time making smart financial choices in order to live a prosperous life.
In this current financial climate, that's not easy.
i am so addicted to lottery tickets im on welfare and spend every last dime on them.I havent won but when i do it will be a rags to riches story...im feeling an itch im going to go buy some tickets now...sorry have to go buy a forty and some tickets.
My oldest wants to give 50-100% of his income away, since he finds little use for money, most of the time. I am challenged with teaching him wise, prudent use of money while being generous and helping those in need.
Thanks Rob for your discussion of the foundational lesson for spending less than you earn. I have this discussion about natural resources as well, particularly water since my area has been in a drought situation (which may change due to hurricane/tropical storm fallout) in this area.
I can see that I tend to tackle things in blocks of time rather than through day-to-day repetition.
Ok. Thanks for the offer to help with the $250/mth thing.
I read these articles you posted. The first two are pretty
close to how it is for me already. Now, I like the third one.
That pantry idea is awesome. I haven't done it yet because
I have no money at all right now. You see, I only live off of
$450/mth atm. There are also two of us. We are lucky enough
to have free housing, but it is expected of us that we provide
our own meals. I am in the process of finding as much government
aid as I can. I know it sounds rediculous, but there are reasons
for it all. This is beside the matter though. The main idea here
is figuring out how to budget meals with $250/mth. I really
do not feel that the idea of eating Ramen Noodles for the rest
of my life is a good idea. Lol. Alot of people suggest this. I
believe that would kill you quicker than not eating at all.
Not really but... Now, traveling from store to store shopping
for deals is out of the question. We can barely leave the house
as it is because of gas prices. So it is better to pay that extra
50 cent than to travel 3 more miles up the road. Even worse when
the gas runs out and we have to ask for the ride or borrow a vehicle! This meal thing is really kicking me in the rear though. I am attempting to leave behind the canned kid foods and frozen dinners and try to cook some decent meals. I have a small kitchenette with all of the supplies that I will need to cook, all I need is the food. I suppose a list for two weeks at a time is about the best I can do, since driving any more often than that is out of the question. I'll be anxious to have the help writing the list. I know one thing, potatoes are a definate. Seafood and dairy are both out, unfortunately, because of allergies. My husband has crohn's disease which keeps
him in and out of the hospital frequently with flair ups if he
eats the "wrong" foods. I have to take this into major consideration as well. Thanks Andrea. Your advice to all is appreciated.
i find the hardest part with dietary/lifestyle changes is getting started. once such new habits have settled, things become much easier.
one of the tricks that have helped me a lot with weight control is to eat more protein (i have lost 15 pounds in the last 6 weeks). i find protein more satisfying, more filling and it keeps hunger away for longer.
the challenge was to find a protein with a low fat content. its amazing how much fat most protein has! i have ended up with soya-mince. any other ideas for low-fat protein?
albert@nextsmallstep.com
www.nextsmallstep.com
Your discussion of the out-of-pocket maximum and policy limits is very helpful, but please don't discourage people from knowledgeably exploring individual plan health insurance.
I've been self-employed for 30 years, and had an individual plan all of that time at very reasonable rates (although the rates get pummeled by state politicians who require insurers to add expensive coverage to plans). Currently, I pay a premium of $223 a month for a 55-60 year old non-smoking woman. The policy has a $1,750 deductible, $3,500 coinsurance maximum, $1 million policy limit and 80% coverage within a wide range of participating providers. It's called a "catastrophic plan." It provides no coverage for out-of-hospital meds or preventive care, but covers office visits, etc., and allows me to chose my provider, see a specialist without a "gatekeeper" and choose my own hospitals.
I'm quite happy with it (except for the d**ned politicians' meddling - the policy choices were better and much cheaper 10 years ago before they started poking their noses into it).
Even though the deductible is high, the policy helps pays for itself even if I never go over the deductible, because bills submitted to the insurance company are routinely discounted by 20% to 70% before they are billed to me. What I mean is that, say this year I receive services that would cost me $1,000 if billed privately. Because that is less than the deductible, the insurance company pays nothing, BUT it applies its negotiated discount to the bills, so that when the provider's bill gets to me, it will have been cut by several hundred dollars.
I pay out of pocket (unfortunately with no discount) for my annual checkup (about $200). I pay for my own Celebrex for arthritis (about $150 a year). I am careful not to run to the doctor for every little ache and pain, and do my research online to decide whether I really need to go to the doctor, and whether it makes sense for my first appointment to be with a specialist or my regular family doctor. I get inexpensive flu shots at the local pharmacy, vaccinations at the county health center, check my blood pressure there every few months, get my blood lipids levels checked inexpensively at a local health club, and donate blood, which would flag various ailments.
Obviously, I hold to the insurance model of health insurance. This is similar to the way most of us view our car and homeowner's policies. We don't expect our car insurance to cover oil changes, new tires, car washes, or even a major engine rebuild, nor do we expect our homeowners policy to pay for the yard care, the new roof every couple of decades, or the plugged toilet. Insurance, in this view, is for UNEXPECTED and UNPREDICTABLE events that we cannot reasonably foresee and budget for.
As you point out, there are two views of health insurance, and while my view is one, many people hold to a different one without realizing it, or making a conscious decision to pay for it.
If you believe your health insurance should pay for predictable health events such as annual check-ups, birth control, the minor health mishaps we all have (colds, sprained ankles, and the like), with a very low deductible and low co-pay, then what you are looking for is a pre-paid health plan PLUS insurance, and you will pay through the nose because 1) that is very expensive coverage for the insurance company to provide; 2) the insurance company knows that you will not be making any effort to control your costs; 3) you are asking the insurance company to assume all your risk instead of being willing to share it; and 4) the insurance company recognizes you as one of the "price-insensitive" buyers of their product.
Unfortunately, health insurance illiteracy is probably responsible for at least a quarter of our national uninsured 'crisis,' and many people are overpaying hundreds or thousands of dollars a year for plans that provide more coverage than really needed.
For weeks I haven't been able to read my United States dvd's since I moved to New Zealand but, thanks to your instructions I just bought a Region Free dvd player (very cheap), and now I can watch Any dvd I want, with the exception of region 7.
...take your high-minded, fake morals elsewhere please. People like you are quite happy to tear down someone trying to offer a little harmless advice and you turn it into the destruction of family values! You must be really easy to please, and really boring to be around at parties. By the way, something tells me Miss Manners would hardly appreciate the contempt and snide remarks you have thrown at the author. Grow up, move along, stop reading blogs like this and go read a blog like 'pointless whiners.'
Another idea is to make gift baskets with unwanted items and donate to charity for a sale. Or I donate to the Elks lodge who takes the items to the local veterns home.
About two years ago, I started stair-climbing at work with a colleague. We start at the 2nd floor and walk up to the 24th and then back down. At first, I had to stop almost every second floor to catch my breath. Now, I take a short break at 10, another and 17 and from 24 back down without stopping. Sometimes if we're having an interesting conversation, I forget about 17 and go all the way to the top. We do the whole thing in about 10-12 minutes of our lunch break. It's not that hard and it doesn't cost anything.
Liability policies protect you if you harm someone and get sued, and "umbrella" policies cover the excess over whatever is covered by your homeowners, renters, or auto policy.
I don't know of an equivalent "umbrella" policy for health insurance. As far as I know, the policy limit in your policy is what you get.
As I say, many policies now cover $5 million in medical expenses. At that level (even at $3 million), I don't see much point in getting a higher policy limit: you're so much more likely never to need that much. Plus, if you do need that much, you're much more likely likely to get screwed out of it by having coverage denied, then by going over the top. Better to take whatever money might have gone to more insurance, and then save it and invest it yourself. (Then you can spend it on whatever you need, including uncovered medical expenses.)
On the other hand, if your policy limit is $1 million or less, it'd be worth looking for better insurance. If you buy your own policy, ask about a better one. If your employer buys it, lobby for better coverage.