British Expats

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   The Trailer Park (https://britishexpats.com/forum/trailer-park-96/)
-   -   Thumbs Down (https://britishexpats.com/forum/trailer-park-96/thumbs-down-861461/)

sir_eccles Jul 24th 2015 4:17 am

Re: Thumbs Down
 

Originally Posted by sarahincos (Post 11703665)
I was going to say something else, but I won't. Thanks anyway for the help!

Well, you did ask for "any suggestions" :-)

In all seriousness, it's a tough situation and most solutions are going to be expensive.

You might have to sit down with a bit of paper and look at what your annual usage is. Will he need to visit his dr once a month? Supplies, Rx, specialist visits, inpatient or outpatient, physiotherapy... Then go to healthcare.gov and look at each of the plans available for your state one by one reading each one down to the finest fine print to see what each one covers and doesn't cover and try to work out which is best.

My personal recommendation would be to look at bronze plans first. They have higher deductibles but many will cover a lot of stuff without touching the deductible (see the fine print). Lots of sums to do, e.g. one plan may cover physio as a simple copay, another might have to use the deductible first, and another might be a percentage coinsurance.

Your monthly budget will then be premium + 1/12 out of pocket maximum. (there may be tax advantages to putting that 1/12 into an hsa if available)

sarahincos Jul 24th 2015 4:29 am

Re: Thumbs Down
 
Thank you! It's a place to start, anyway. We aren't so daft to not actually be coming with some savings on our own because, yes, I KNOW it is expensive. It is also MUCH BETTER than what you get here in the UK. It's a trade off. If you're scared to death about being in debt, then it would make sense to not come. I have a graduate degree, lol, I am very familiar with unrelenting debt. I'd just rather my husband be able to go into a clean, updated hospital where I can stay with him in the same room that we don't have to share with 5, 7 other people, with surgeons who's jobs and livelihoods are on the line if they screw up. He's had 5 surgeries here, and 4 have gone wrong. Enough's enough. Aside from that, America is my home--as screwed up as it is, it will always be my home.

Once we get there, I plan to go see an insurance agent who will hopefully work through it with me. I was just hoping to get a head's up on what all I need to pay attention to when shopping for a plan. Thank you for your input.

Sarah

sir_eccles Jul 24th 2015 4:59 am

Re: Thumbs Down
 

Originally Posted by sarahincos (Post 11707281)
I'd just rather my husband be able to go into a clean, updated hospital where I can stay with him in the same room that we don't have to share with 5, 7 other people, with surgeons who's jobs and livelihoods are on the line if they screw up. He's had 5 surgeries here, and 4 have gone wrong.

There is no guarantee it won't be any different in the US.


Once we get there, I plan to go see an insurance agent who will hopefully work through it with me. I was just hoping to get a head's up on what all I need to pay attention to when shopping for a plan. Thank you for your input.
An agent might help but being able to walk in and say, we need to go to Dr X once a month buy these supplies and Rx etc will help.

Talking of Drs and specialists, it might be worth looking around to find the Dr first and see what insurance they accept.

sarahincos Jul 24th 2015 6:08 am

Re: Thumbs Down
 
I've already looked into the various doctors in our area for his anticipated needs (because we wanted someone who had a background/specialization compatible with his illnesses) and have all that ready for when we meet. You're right, nothing is guaranteed, but I've had first hand experience working in the hospital where I would take him back home, and I know their standards are better than what I've witnessed (and been a part of through district nursing) here.


All times are GMT -12. The time now is 8:19 pm.

Powered by vBulletin: ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.