[Keith S]

Thanks for the story Elvira. Very comforting!
Maybe one of the Presidential "hopefuls" will come up with an answer.

[Elvira]

Originally Posted by Keith S Thanks for the story Elvira. Very comforting! Maybe one of the Presidential "hopefuls" will come up with an answer.

I wouldn't hold my breath...

[Tracym]

Originally Posted by Elvira With private medical insurance, pre-existing conditions tend to be excluded unless prior coverage can be proven. There is an ongoing debate as to whether US insurers consider the NHS to represent prior coverage. Also, it is not just the monthly premiums that need to be considered, but also the co-pays and any restrictions on coverage and drug plans. But the most important aspects are deductibles and lifetime maximum. (The latter has to be way higher than most people can even imagine......... think millions )

This is an interesting document re. creditable coverage (full document attached):

"This bulletin clarifies that:
• Any public health plan, including a plan established or maintained by the U.S. government, or a foreign country, or by any political subdivision of the U.S. government or a foreign country, is creditable coverage for purposes of identifying eligible individuals under Part B of title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act).
• Public health plan coverage is creditable coverage, regardless of whether it meets the definition of health insurance coverage."

[Roland Hulme]

Originally Posted by Elvira http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,3911487.story

Not exactly a comparable situation, is it? The article was about HOMELESS patients, not somebody' mum or dad.

Once a homeless person is treated, where exactly do you discharge them to? I'm not agreeing with what the hospital did, but I don't like the way you took a wildly out-of-context article to support your vendetta.

If you don't have medical insurance, there are some free clinics you can go to and some hospitals will 'write off' your medical bills if you aren't able to pay them.

Doesn't offer a adequate level of healthcare, but if your parent went into hospital for treatment, they wouldn't offload her in the ghetto when they're patched up.

[frrussre]

Originally Posted by Keith S We have a daughter in the USA, married to an american. She will shortly be taking citizenship and we are considering joining them in the future and moving there from Australia. Can anyone advise the cost of health insurance for us (both mid-fifties and early retired). Or different ways that we could be covered. It is obviously the big thing that would worry us in moving there full time. Otherwise, all we could do is go over for long visits and pop back to Aus when sick! Any ideas would be welcome.

Don't be surprised, if no deductable but say $20 -$40 copay + RX copays = $1500 or more per month. OR more. Good cover SCARY. Of course the way to reduce monthly payments is to have big deductable $5000 - $10k per person.
When my wife switched jobs, after 19 years our Cobra (its an interim, keep your old coverage going) until new Ins kicked in, was $1200 pm. That was just paying the previous company's premium. We paid it for 2.5 months.

Good luck.
Reg. Frank R.

[Elvira]

Originally Posted by frrussre ........the way to reduce monthly payments is to have big deductable $5000 - $10k per person. ........Reg. Frank R.

But that's only per year - right?.......... not per month...

[frrussre]

Originally Posted by Elvira But that's only per year - right?.......... not per month...

Sorry Elvira, I should have said $5k -$10k deductable each per year. Guess the OP had a heart attack.
Reg

[Elvira]

Originally Posted by frrussre Sorry Elvira, I should have said $5k -$10k deductable each per year. Guess the OP had a heart attack. Reg

I was kidding, dear ......... I was actually more concerned that he might think it's linked to the lifetime maximum...

[frrussre]

Originally Posted by Elvira I was kidding, dear ......... I was actually more concerned that he might think it's linked to the lifetime maximum...

We are amused.

You can't make this stuff up!
Reg.