hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Medical Treatment in USA
- Thread starter Rosemarie
- Start date
It seems the very poor or very rich are insured well but not the middle...
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
This has always been my understanding...
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
I've read about this ..are there any statistical figures on how many working people have been made bankrupt due to the cost of medical bills ..do you know?
Exactly
Patio Life
Member
When we were in Spain I pulled (very badly) the ligaments in my knee. With no insurance coverage for the EU I put off going to a Dr - until it hurt so bad I could not walk at all. It was VERY painful, trying not to scream painful.
Took a taxi to the ER in Córdoba. Everyone was very nice. I explained I had no insurance to the admissions desk. Saw a Dr. in about 5 minutes who spoke a bit of English. After the exam, prescription, advise on what to do. I told him I had no insurance, what do I do?
He looked at me like I had to heads and said "Medical care is free for everyone here." I looked at him like he had two heads. The nice lady wheeled me out to get into a taxi.
Took a taxi to the ER in Córdoba. Everyone was very nice. I explained I had no insurance to the admissions desk. Saw a Dr. in about 5 minutes who spoke a bit of English. After the exam, prescription, advise on what to do. I told him I had no insurance, what do I do?
He looked at me like I had to heads and said "Medical care is free for everyone here." I looked at him like he had two heads. The nice lady wheeled me out to get into a taxi.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Having lived in Spain for many years I have to agree with you, medical treatment is free, but we as foreign visitors need to carry an E111 Card, which just means that the NHS wil pay for any treatment that's required if we're there on holiday and not residents.
My daughter lives and works in Spain, she has private medical insurance, and she gets outstanding treatment, which covers absolutely everything, from the most minor of things to the most major of treatments incuding physio, X-rays, Mri's, , and all sorts of treaments.. and she gets to see a top specialist within a couple of days. For that she pays just 600 euros per year!!
Trade
Well-known Member
Here the going rate for private insurance is also about $600. A month. That will get you a plan with a $6000 dollar a year deductable. So in a year you will pay $7200 in premiums, plus another $6000 in deductible, for a total of $13,200 out of pocket before your insurance kicks in the first penny. I'm not making this up. My neighbor across the street and a friend of mine that lives out in California both make a little too much to qualify for an Obamacare subsidy and have told me that this is the best deal they could find. Neither one of them have insurance because of this. That's the situation with Obamacare. If you are dirt poor the government will subsidize most of your insurance. But if your income is just a little over the threshold to qualify for a subsidy, you are screwed.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Just to reiterate, my daughter pays 600 Euros per year for private medical
A few years ago she had a major accident after falling from a cliff onto slate chippings... She was wearing just shorts and a little vest top , so nothing to protect her at all. Her legs were shredded from foot to thigh, and two fingers on her right hand were torn almost completely off.
The Spanish medical system was fantastic, they sewed the fingers back on, and her hands to this day apart from the fact she can't grip with them and she suffers some residual pain which is helped by using Turmeric... her hands look as though she's never had an injury.
Since the surgery she's had all sorts of regular physio on them from top physiotherapists.. .. further to that she's had other medical treatment that we in the Uk would wait months for on the NHS... and no deductibles, no increases on her premiums..and all for 600 euros per year!!
here in the Uk for a similar private medical insurance , we'd be looking at around £800 per month... and then added extras for certain procedures. The dubious benefit of private medical insurance in the UK is that we get to see a consultant much quicker...OTOH...we an choose to pay a lump sum for a one off procedure , for example I paid to have an MRI scan just last year rather than wait 6 months on the NHS..and the cost was £200 for the scan, and £250 for the consultants fees.., but I got the scan done the day after I requested it..
A few years ago she had a major accident after falling from a cliff onto slate chippings... She was wearing just shorts and a little vest top , so nothing to protect her at all. Her legs were shredded from foot to thigh, and two fingers on her right hand were torn almost completely off.
The Spanish medical system was fantastic, they sewed the fingers back on, and her hands to this day apart from the fact she can't grip with them and she suffers some residual pain which is helped by using Turmeric... her hands look as though she's never had an injury.
Since the surgery she's had all sorts of regular physio on them from top physiotherapists.. .. further to that she's had other medical treatment that we in the Uk would wait months for on the NHS... and no deductibles, no increases on her premiums..and all for 600 euros per year!!
here in the Uk for a similar private medical insurance , we'd be looking at around £800 per month... and then added extras for certain procedures. The dubious benefit of private medical insurance in the UK is that we get to see a consultant much quicker...OTOH...we an choose to pay a lump sum for a one off procedure , for example I paid to have an MRI scan just last year rather than wait 6 months on the NHS..and the cost was £200 for the scan, and £250 for the consultants fees.., but I got the scan done the day after I requested it..
Over 50% of all bankruptcies filed in the U.S are due to medical bills, according to a website that I like to read now and again www.thebalance.com.
Thankfully, I pay very little for medical insurance compared to some of the numbers that I have read here. I have known some very good people that have lost a lot because of high medical bills. I have also known a person that filed and was granted bankruptcy. He took a big hit and has been paying for it ever since. Let's see, he lost his house, his savings, and 10 years of bad credit. And, oh yeah, he also got a divorce. It seems that the bankruptcy took a very big toll and caused a lot of stress in their marriage.
Personally, I blame our legislators for this. We (the U.S.) have no problem spending zillions on wars, but when it comes to spending money on health and education, they will fight tooth and nail not to spend a dime on fixing these problems. Have you ever noticed in any presidential debate that medical concerns are either not talked about or they will skim over them? The moment any politician begins talking about any other country's healthcare system, someone yells that he/she is trying to turn the U.S. into a socialist republic. That seems to work, only because no one understands why parts of socialism may be a good thing, especially when it comes to medical care. Look at how much is spent on just getting or trying to get elected cost. Well over one billion dollars for each candidate. That's totally insane to want a job that pays $400,000.00 per year.
I was talking to a few men older than me a few weeks back at a social club that I belong to. They were talking about the same thing as us, medical costs. The one gentleman stated that the government doesn't take care of the seniors in this country because they want us to die. He goes on saying that Seniors have served their purpose and have now over-stayed their welcome. When we die, the government saves money, especially if one of us is being treated for cancer.
You know, maybe he has something there.
Thankfully, I pay very little for medical insurance compared to some of the numbers that I have read here. I have known some very good people that have lost a lot because of high medical bills. I have also known a person that filed and was granted bankruptcy. He took a big hit and has been paying for it ever since. Let's see, he lost his house, his savings, and 10 years of bad credit. And, oh yeah, he also got a divorce. It seems that the bankruptcy took a very big toll and caused a lot of stress in their marriage.
Personally, I blame our legislators for this. We (the U.S.) have no problem spending zillions on wars, but when it comes to spending money on health and education, they will fight tooth and nail not to spend a dime on fixing these problems. Have you ever noticed in any presidential debate that medical concerns are either not talked about or they will skim over them? The moment any politician begins talking about any other country's healthcare system, someone yells that he/she is trying to turn the U.S. into a socialist republic. That seems to work, only because no one understands why parts of socialism may be a good thing, especially when it comes to medical care. Look at how much is spent on just getting or trying to get elected cost. Well over one billion dollars for each candidate. That's totally insane to want a job that pays $400,000.00 per year.
I was talking to a few men older than me a few weeks back at a social club that I belong to. They were talking about the same thing as us, medical costs. The one gentleman stated that the government doesn't take care of the seniors in this country because they want us to die. He goes on saying that Seniors have served their purpose and have now over-stayed their welcome. When we die, the government saves money, especially if one of us is being treated for cancer.
You know, maybe he has something there.
Capt Lightning
Well-known Member
- Location
- Historic Buchan, Scotland
Another thing is that the cost of healthcare depends on what part of the UK you live in. Generally, those in England pay for prescriptions, eye tests etc., while they're free in other parts of the UK.
I worked most of my career for a company that paid for private healthcare. It was taxed as a 'perk', but it was cheap for what it gave me and my family. That was fantastic - no waiting lists, private hospital etc.. Now I'm retired, I'm at the mercy of the NHS. Now, the NHS is great if you have an emergency, but waiting times can be horrendous if you have a minor problem that needs treated. At least, I won't get a bill.
I worked most of my career for a company that paid for private healthcare. It was taxed as a 'perk', but it was cheap for what it gave me and my family. That was fantastic - no waiting lists, private hospital etc.. Now I'm retired, I'm at the mercy of the NHS. Now, the NHS is great if you have an emergency, but waiting times can be horrendous if you have a minor problem that needs treated. At least, I won't get a bill.
Ok, lets talk medicare and a good medigap policy. What is wrong with this? To me, its great except they don't pay for dental and eye glasses. Otherwise, we've had no problem and my mother (who lived with us) never did either. She had an ambulance, helicopter and was in the hospital for 3 weeks before she passed away. Zero pay.
Just wondering if a lot these med issues are happening before you are old enough to be on medicare and a good supplement ( which pays 100%)?!
Just wondering if a lot these med issues are happening before you are old enough to be on medicare and a good supplement ( which pays 100%)?!
Trade
Well-known Member
The two individuals that I described in reply #60 above are both in their early 60's and counting the days until they are eligible for Medicare. Neither of them have an employer plan. And both are letting medical issues go unaddressed because they are afraid of the cost bankrupting them. So when they hit 65 and get on Medicare these issues that are going untreated will be even worse and cost more to treat.
That's one of the reasons I favor expanding Medicare to cover everyone. So that people can get the treatment they need early before the condition gets worse.
Trade, that has been proposed, but it never even made it to the floor. But, I think it would work well, if we could keep all of the crooked doctors from double and triple billing.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Over 60 we don't pay for eye tests or prescription in England... what is annoying is that we have to pay HUGE parking charges at hospitals while we subside England and Wales who get free parking and free bus passes..!!
That's what I think Trade...my mother in law spent 9 years in a nursing home before she died.
If you realize what is going on and take the precautions of putting your estate in your son or daughter's name or whatever 5 years before you might be going into the "bone yard"...that's what its all about. Have no problem with medicare. They just need to add dental and vision to it. Otherwise, no problem with USA senior care. Let me explain here though that my mom had cataracts operated on it it didn't cost her a dime...when I say vision, I mean like just eyeglasses.
Am I correct here or need enlightenment, guys?!
Just to reiterate, my daughter pays 600 Euros per year for private medical
A few years ago she had a major accident after falling from a cliff onto slate chippings... She was wearing just shorts and a little vest top , so nothing to protect her at all. Her legs were shredded from foot to thigh, and two fingers on her right hand were torn almost completely off.
The Spanish medical system was fantastic, they sewed the fingers back on, and her hands to this day apart from the fact she can't grip with them and she suffers some residual pain which is helped by using Turmeric... her hands look as though she's never had an injury.
Since the surgery she's had all sorts of regular physio on them from top physiotherapists.. .. further to that she's had other medical treatment that we in the Uk would wait months for on the NHS... and no deductibles, no increases on her premiums..and all for 600 euros per year!!
here in the Uk for a similar private medical insurance , we'd be looking at around £800 per month... and then added extras for certain procedures. The dubious benefit of private medical insurance in the UK is that we get to see a consultant much quicker...OTOH...we an choose to pay a lump sum for a one off procedure , for example I paid to have an MRI scan just last year rather than wait 6 months on the NHS..and the cost was £200 for the scan, and £250 for the consultants fees.., but I got the scan done the day after I requested it..
Holly I'm so glad your daughter came out of that so well. Kudos to the Spanish health care system.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
Thank you so much Chic, !!
Her fingers will never be perfect again, but they're as close to it that they could possibly be, given the circumstances the surgeons were presented with...
Patio Life
Member
If you have pre-existing conditions, as I do, medigap is unaffordable. At least it was for me. 30% of my income. Or they may have changed the premium structure, I am 65 and qualified for Medicare last year.
Patio Life
Member
I know many people who put off care due to cost. Unless it's going to kill them or stop them from working - they don't see a Dr.
Thank you so much Chic, !!
Good news, make her wear protect gloves next time she hikes in rugged terrain. If she still listens to Mum.
Capt Lightning
Well-known Member
- Location
- Historic Buchan, Scotland
HollyDolly, you're quite correct that in England , prescriptions for over 60's are free, but they are free to all ages elsewhere. Same with eye tests. At most Scottish hospitals, parking is free. At Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, a multi storey car park was built, financed by a philanthropic trust. There's also a regular bus service to the hospital.