Health Care for foreigners
#1
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I was just wondering what those who have successfully moved to the USA did as regards PHC.
Is it expensive?
Are there alternatives?
What did you do?
Is it expensive?
Are there alternatives?
What did you do?
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#2
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Don't get sick.
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Yes.
Not other than staying healthy or bankruptcy. And unfortunately we're not joking.
We took a calculated risk. I was applying for work at a company with excellent health coverage. We looked into private policies but couldn't really afford them, so we were as careful as possible for our first nine months here. After that I managed to get the job and we now have insurance. But for the first nine months, we avoided activities like skiing, didn't go to the dentist, and didn't go to the doctor. Fortunately we did not get seriously ill or have any accidents in that period. But we are healthy and had no children to consider. It's not a route you should take unless you're willing to face the consequences of your gamble.
Not other than staying healthy or bankruptcy. And unfortunately we're not joking.
We took a calculated risk. I was applying for work at a company with excellent health coverage. We looked into private policies but couldn't really afford them, so we were as careful as possible for our first nine months here. After that I managed to get the job and we now have insurance. But for the first nine months, we avoided activities like skiing, didn't go to the dentist, and didn't go to the doctor. Fortunately we did not get seriously ill or have any accidents in that period. But we are healthy and had no children to consider. It's not a route you should take unless you're willing to face the consequences of your gamble.
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Spend a lot of money, or get a job that offers it...the alternative would be not to move here.
Don't under estimate the impact of life here without it...it's a massive stresser, even with it, it can be quite stressful and depressing.
Don't under estimate the impact of life here without it...it's a massive stresser, even with it, it can be quite stressful and depressing.
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One option for your situation is to have your spouse work for an employer who provides health insurance, so that you could get in the group plan.
The others have made some good suggestions. Individual policies can be insanely expensive.
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OK everyone, thanks for your answers. Not what I wanted to hear but what I expected to hear.
The wife is starting to grind her teeth now because the UK is looking like the better option, NHS (not always great but free), and not having to worry about getting kicked out of the country. Part of me still fancies the U.S. though.
The wife is starting to grind her teeth now because the UK is looking like the better option, NHS (not always great but free), and not having to worry about getting kicked out of the country. Part of me still fancies the U.S. though.
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Perhaps staying in the UK but having regular long vacations (ie a month per year?) in the US would be your best option. You could get travel insurance in that case.
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Perhaps staying in the UK but having regular long vacations (ie a month per year?) in the US would be your best option.
Good suggestion but not if i'm looking at moving to the USA on an E2.
There are many Americans who can't afford healthcare, what do they do?
If they need dental work carried out, perhaps they are in a lot of pain or break a leg, surely they must be able to get some sort of treatment...can't they?
Good suggestion but not if i'm looking at moving to the USA on an E2.
There are many Americans who can't afford healthcare, what do they do?
If they need dental work carried out, perhaps they are in a lot of pain or break a leg, surely they must be able to get some sort of treatment...can't they?
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People go bankrupt.
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There are free clinics available and also services such as Medicaid and COBRA that enable people to get health care when they can't afford it (thought you would not be eligible for any of this as far as I know). However, many people who are low income have 'too much' money to qualify for these services, or they don't qualify because of various technicalities. Those people do what they can. Friend of mine who was between insurers for few weeks got very unlucky and is still paying off hospital bills from a car accident. Sometimes you can just hope for the best and avoid risky situations as best as possible, like avanturia said.
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Yes, there are many here who can't afford health care. I keep hearing the figure of 47 million uninsured being thrown around, not sure how up-to-date that is though - and of course not everyone who's uninsured CAN'T afford health care (though most can't afford to pay catastrophic events).
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Only a handful of states have Medicaid coverage for childless adults. It really isn't anything approaching blanket coverage for low-income people. COBRA is merely to continue health insurance provided by one's employer after you cease to be employed, but it will cost you the total premium previously paid by you and your employer, plus a service charge. Many people who are made unemployed simply can't afford the premiums and end up joining the ranks of the uninsured.
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I know this is a very broad question and depends on age, previous health issues and probably which State you live in, but can anyone give me a "rough" idea of how much it might cost?
Say a Male, about 50 yrs, non smoker, no previous conditions
and lets say a Female, as above but with a previous condition, maybe MS but which is in remission.
No High Risk sports etc.
Are there any who have similar (not the same) circumstances who can give me an idea of costs as I have no idea except that it is expensive..eg $300pm........$500pm.......$1,000pm.
Thanks
Say a Male, about 50 yrs, non smoker, no previous conditions
and lets say a Female, as above but with a previous condition, maybe MS but which is in remission.
No High Risk sports etc.
Are there any who have similar (not the same) circumstances who can give me an idea of costs as I have no idea except that it is expensive..eg $300pm........$500pm.......$1,000pm.
Thanks
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