Curious on US health insurance
#1
Curious on US health insurance
As the title says, I have a some curiosity about how US health insurance works. I'm not moving the the US so don't need full links nor really detailed explanations.
What I'm wondering is whether people can get health insurance if they were previously healthy but then develop a chronic condition. For example a healthy 30 yo with no insurance becomes epileptic (or something requiring long term treatment) can they obtain a healthcare plan or does having the condition mean they are uninsurable?
What I'm wondering is whether people can get health insurance if they were previously healthy but then develop a chronic condition. For example a healthy 30 yo with no insurance becomes epileptic (or something requiring long term treatment) can they obtain a healthcare plan or does having the condition mean they are uninsurable?
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Athens GA
Posts: 2,132
Re: Curious on US health insurance
#4
Re: Curious on US health insurance
Thanks for this. I hadn't realized that they insurance company could not charge more for coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
#5
Re: Curious on US health insurance
#7
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Curious on US health insurance
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Curious on US health insurance
Insurance does not cover everything, most people bankrupted by Medical costs have Insurance.
Lady I was talking to yesterday pays $600pm for medicines after Insurance and all the other ways of getting lower prices.
Lady I was talking to yesterday pays $600pm for medicines after Insurance and all the other ways of getting lower prices.
#9
Re: Curious on US health insurance
Majority of Americans acquire their health insurance via their employer. As such you'll want to look at the specific plan to know what coats and coverage it has.
#11
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,453
Re: Curious on US health insurance
Then there’s Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays for covered health care services for most people aged 65 and older and for certain permanently disabled individuals under the age of 65.
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Curious on US health insurance
In California (presumably other states as well) if your low income there is Medi-Cal which is California's version of Medicaid, Medi-Cal actually isn't too bad, the low income in California on Medi-Cal get better coverage for healthcare than people do in Canada.
One of the best changes due to ACA was the changes surrounding pre-existing conditions, when I was booted off my parents insurance at 19 since I wasn't a student, I couldn't find health insurance I was either denied due to pre-existing conditions or they wanted obscene monthly premiums, and they went back all the way to 1979 and 1983 to justify the pre-existing conditions denial.
For most it boils down to who you work for and how good their insurance is, some employers do better than others, some pass more of the cost of health insurance to employees than others do.
One of the best changes due to ACA was the changes surrounding pre-existing conditions, when I was booted off my parents insurance at 19 since I wasn't a student, I couldn't find health insurance I was either denied due to pre-existing conditions or they wanted obscene monthly premiums, and they went back all the way to 1979 and 1983 to justify the pre-existing conditions denial.
For most it boils down to who you work for and how good their insurance is, some employers do better than others, some pass more of the cost of health insurance to employees than others do.
#13
Re: Curious on US health insurance
How does the Medicare for over 65's compare to NHS for over 65's in the UK? Roughly the same? Prescriptions perhaps not included.
#14
Re: Curious on US health insurance
It's always seemed another tool of corporate indenture to me. It's interesting that many Americans actually support the idea of unequal healthcare (competitive economic incentives etc).
#15
Re: Curious on US health insurance
Why would they want healthcare sponsored by a government that few trust or voted for? Medicare is okay for the most part but requires a supplemental policy if you don't want medical bills sent you for uncovered services. Medicare does have a Part "D or E" that covers prescriptions, I believe. But it doesn't cover eye wear or hearing aids.