Manc

they are?
I'm sorry but that's not quite right.

If you can get with a group health plan that's great.
But if you are having to get a private medical policy like Fortis or something like that they won't touch you with a ten foot bargepole.

madscientist

I have interstitial cystitis...not AIDS, diabetes, cancer, or anything like that. All I needed in the US to keep it under control was a prescription for Elmiron. I don't think it will be a problem.

Manc

It is still a pre-existing condition.
You see, here is the thing with Insurance companies..........



................They don't like paying out.

They will not cover the prescription either if it is on a private medical policy.
Which is what you'll need as soon as you get here unless you walk off the plane straight into employment and the benefits kick in immediately. (which is VERY rare these days)

madscientist

I know you're trying to help, manc, but I do know how insurance companies in the US work. I'm American and I spent 25 years living in the country of my birth.

Manc

I may be wrong then

madscientist

Well, when I get back I'll be sure not to buy insurance from you.

Manc

I wouldn't sell it you, or if SF did it would be megabucks with the pre-existing condition.
But then again, I could be talking out my arse cos I haven't lived here for 25 years and this isn't the country of my birth

cathy22w

I, too, take offence at your knocking of the NHS! Gee - I broke my big toe over here a few months ago. I waited 3 hours in ER after triage assessed me. I was given narcotics, a special shoe and, at 5 foot 6 inches, crutches built for someone 5 foot 10!!! (it clearly had it on the crutches, but the nurse said everyone does it that way!!!). I paid a $50 co-pay at the ER, and then got a bill from my health insurance company for $178 and then another $80.

All that for a BROKEN TOE!

I will never knock the NHS again - the healthcare provision in the US is, in my experience, no better than in the UK. And that is just for adults. Don't get me started on kids......!!!!!!!!!

dunroving

I've lived in the US for 14 years in 5 different jobs and my experience has been that health insurance coverage varies from employer to employer, in terms of (a) whether they even offer it, (b) whether you have to pay premiums, (c) whether there is a co-pay, (d) whether there is a yearly deductible, and (e) whether they cover pre-exisiting conditions.

I'm with Manc on this one - I think you're wrong. Be very careful to look into what coverage you might get before you come back.

madscientist

That's fine; insurance companies exist to make money. I'm certain to find one that will take mine.

Manc

and one of two things will happen
They will not pay for any treatment for your pre existing condition

or the premiums will be outrageous.

madscientist

I never said the NHS wasn't good for some things. If I had a car accident, I'd rather be in an NHS hospital than paying through the nose in the US. Ditto for a heart attack.

However, I have a condition that is excruciatingly uncomfortable...so much so that 2/3 of people with it can't even work and the suicide rate of those affected is 10 times higher than that of the general population. It's no picnic. I have tried for three years to get access to the type of treatment I received in the United States. It simply cannot be had here, whether I use the NHS or whether I go private. I've written to my MP. I've written to the NHS. I've seen several doctors who refuse to give me the medication on license. I've seen more than one consultant who told me that I could either suffer the treatment in the UK, or I could go home where the treatment is better. Even the support group for this illness recommended to me that I return to the United States. This was not a decision I made easily. I came to the UK three years ago with very high hopes and they've been dashed against the rocks. This hasn't been easy for me, so could you please cut me some slack? I know you don't know me well enough to grant me personal favors, but I'm still asking you for one. If I cannot get treatment for these symptoms, I can't even have children. As a fellow human being, please cut me some slack. It's all I ask.

madscientist

I don't really care, manc. I'd rather pay out the nose and have access to the treatments than not be able to get the treatments at any cost here.

Ben

For future reference, don't go to an emergency room for something that isn't an emergency. I know that sounds daft because if you have broken a bone or need stitches for a cut that isn't going to kill you in the UK you go to the emergency room. But here you go to an urgent care facility, NOT an emergency room. You will get treatment far quicker, they can take x-rays, stitch you up etc. and get you to a specialist if needed, far quicker than any emergency room.

For all those that have never used an urgent care facility or tried to contact your Primary Carer during an emergency (some primary carers provide emergency treatment outside of office hours. My children's doctors do), get all your facilities sorted now before an emergency happens. You will be pleased you did. Not only will you save yourself money (for an urgent care facility you only pay your regular co-pay if it is part of your insurance company's coverage) but you will save yourself time and a headache!

If you don't know what your insurance covers, call them and ask. And always just drop them a call for every non primary care visit you need to make that isn't a life/death situation. then you won't get any unexpected bills!

We have Oxford and they have a 24hour nurse on-call. I always call them when I need to make an emergency visit to an urgent care facility. Even though I know that I am covered to go I still call because if there is any problems with billing, I have it on their records that they gave me permission to go andtherefore won't pay more than my co-pay. It is a toll-free number so it doesn't cost me anything to get that peace of mind. If your insurance company provides a similar number, use it, it will save you a fortune.

Madscientist, I can understand your frustration. I know of a couple of people personally who have come over here because they can't get the treatment they need for their illnesses on the NHS. I hope you find some relief.

Manc

so why not just go with BUPA in the UK then, and if all you need is a prescription to treat your condition, then aren't prescription in the UK like 9 quid or something?
and if you are willing to pay more, what's wrong with BUPA?

seems to me like you just want to come home, which there is nothing wrong with that in itself.