The Cost of an Accidental Fall
#17
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
If my Dad had been wealthy (and had private health insurance) he would have still been taken to the NHS emergency room. It is also extremelly likely he would have still had the operation at an NHS hospital.
#19
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Obviously didn't know that private hospitals in the UK don't usually accept emergencies.
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, England
Posts: 1,494
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
But I have not, as yet anyway, taken advantage of my private healthcare insurance and only once have I had to make use of the NHS for treatment - a broken collar bone due to injury playing rugby when I was 19...three days in hospital, and three after care visits to A & E (Edinburgh)....all for "free", and the quality of care and attention I received from all medical staff was just..well, just bloody fantastic, really. Maybe I was just lucky, and lucky to be fit and well at the age of 31.
#27
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
I have private health insurance cover in addition to the universal coverage afforded to me through the NHS system, but no way do I consider myself "rich" - reasonably well paid, yes, in a job I very much enjoy doing, with long term prospects for a good pension when the time comes about 35 years from now, even though I am contributing towards it on a monthly basis, as I do towards my free at the point of issue when needed NHS care through my monthly NIC deductions from my salary, which is all I have to do to avail myself of its universal services....as a UK resident.
.
.
My father paid into BUPA for a long time - and he wasn't rich either, just a normal business executive in Croyden, not a high flyer. When he needed hospital care towards the end of his life, he used his BUPA money to pay for a private room in very nice facilities - but ALL the doctors, consultants, lab people etc were all NHS people too, they just worked at this hospital as well, ie you get exactly the same medical care, just in different surroundings.
#28
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
I have private health insurance cover in addition to the universal coverage afforded to me through the NHS system, but no way do I consider myself "rich" - reasonably well paid, yes, in a job I very much enjoy doing, with long term prospects for a good pension when the time comes about 35 years from now, even though I am contributing towards it on a monthly basis, as I do towards my free at the point of issue when needed NHS care through my monthly NIC deductions from my salary, which is all I have to do to avail myself of its universal services....as a UK resident.
But I have not, as yet anyway, taken advantage of my private healthcare insurance and only once have I had to make use of the NHS for treatment - a broken collar bone due to injury playing rugby when I was 19...three days in hospital, and three after care visits to A & E (Edinburgh)....all for "free", and the quality of care and attention I received from all medical staff was just..well, just bloody fantastic, really. Maybe I was just lucky, and lucky to be fit and well at the age of 31.
But I have not, as yet anyway, taken advantage of my private healthcare insurance and only once have I had to make use of the NHS for treatment - a broken collar bone due to injury playing rugby when I was 19...three days in hospital, and three after care visits to A & E (Edinburgh)....all for "free", and the quality of care and attention I received from all medical staff was just..well, just bloody fantastic, really. Maybe I was just lucky, and lucky to be fit and well at the age of 31.
Even with private medical care you still have to go through your GP for a referral...unless that's changed since I lived in the UK.
#29
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,532
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Let me add another data point: I crashed my bike last year and broke an elbow. Drive to urgent care and then to ER, X-rays, simple surgery and four days in hospital (wound + fracture = "open fracture"). $45k before "adjustments" etc...
All my bikes now have brakes the same way around.
All my bikes now have brakes the same way around.
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 98
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Coming back to the high medical bills problem. I was just wondering what would happen if you were in an accident and they rush you to the ER to pull your leg out of your shoulder. They then pull the other leg and slap you with a $50k bill. The hospital can't deny you treatment, and if you're out cold, you can't tell them to leave your leg in your shoulder because you have no insurance.
So how would they make you pay that bill? Especially if you're already living below the bread line.
CWT
So how would they make you pay that bill? Especially if you're already living below the bread line.
CWT