Dan725

Yes, that makes sense - there was a bloke in our office today advising on a new medical plan, he said the same thing. We're sticking with the HMO in the meantime because it is a decent one through the wifes insurance (works for a big company, lots of choice), but definately worth keeping an eye on.

The bloke in my office was pushing this HSA (Health Savings Account) plan, basically, it seems you pay the first 1100 dollars per year of all medical expenses, then its free thereafter. You don't need any referrals and can go direct to specialists.

It sounds a bit like the HMO's will eventually become the sort of NHS, if you like, you can get treated cheaply, but might have to hang around a while getting referred for this that and the other. It's ok at the minute, but will keep an eye out.

AmerLisa

Hey me too!! But I'm gainfully (well that's the general idea anyway ) employed now, I might be able to afford to get sick.....

AmerLisa

I just wanted to interject that Kaiser is an HMO. HMOs are notorious for cutting corners.

Partystar

So a 3 month old lively baby should die because an insurance company doesn't wanna pay for a scan that could detect a problem that could be easily fixed, but if left otherwise would mean death? Are you sure you read my earlier post?

veryfunny

:scared: :scared: :scared: My GOSH you scared the living delights out of me! My company pays for us and I have a co pay of $10.

NC Penguin

Are you saying you have no monthly medical premiums? What about copays for visits?

Do you work for the Government (state or federal)?



NC Penguin

Dan@

My employer pays about 80 percent, and I pay the rest. I end up with $15 co pay and prescriptions is a $5 co pay. I roughly pay $120 a month, but that includes the employer paying 80 percent of dental up too $2500 per year spending.

Bob

What a joy...enrolement for next year, and the plans have changed...there is three options...

1-No insurance

2-$20 increase to what we're paying....comes with $5000 deductible, plus $350 deductible with the GP...scans and x-rays unless in a emergency aren't covered, it's a 80/20 cover...doesn't cover pre/post natal, and only covers cost of birth, not the nursing costs or complications etc...There is also a $50 co-pay...

3-$130 increase a month for something similar...slight changes...it's $15 co-pay to the GP, $25 co-pay for ER...so that's reduced....no deductible. All scans, x-rays, jabs etc are covered 100%...all care is 100% covered in network...covers pretty good now...but we can't afford that...but can't afford not to have that cover in maine, a wee slip in the snow and ya buggered.

Oh, and dental cover is halved to cover $1500 a year.

psb182

it's just getting out of control......I am saying I pay $1000 per month but thats only assuming it is the same as it was 6 months ago.......will have to ask the wife later

Elvira

You really are between a rock and a hard place! Health care here is a complete shambles and costs are spiralling out of control. The problem is, it's virtually impossible to fix the system - even if there was public pressure and/or political commitment to change. They would virtually have to scrap it and start with a clean slate. Which of course ain't gonna happen. So the system will stumble on in its bizarre, logic-defying manner, care will get both worse and more expensive, and people will find it increasingly difficult to afford anything approaching decent health care.

It doesn't make any sense that this is the only country in the industrialised western world where people have these kinds of worries.

Bob

Aye...we're lucky it is just for two, healthy and in mid 20's....for a family with kids you don't even want to know how much it is going up by *l*...

oh...and what's really bad about the cheap plan, there's no longer the forth quarter roll-over like there use to be...so if you break your leg in december and it covers the deductibles, that clock is reset on Jan 1st for any post care...while before the deductibles would have been still covered...

Bob

we're already looking for a new apartment that's cheaper...not that we're living in anything to fancy at the mo....hmmm....joys of moving in winter too....lovely...

Yorkieabroad

Err, thats us. Scumbag employers* can't/won't cough for a medical plan, so we pay our own way.

There are 5 of us - $500/month, $30 copay for office visits, $2000 deductible per person with family max $4000. No X-rays/labwork covered till deductible met. Its crap, because we still end up paying a good wedge ourselves, as none of us have ever met the deductible (although 2 of the kids are getting close so I'm considering pushing them downstairs, just to try to get some vfm....) but its hopefully protecting us from the cancer/heart attack induced bankruptcy.....

* should have added - we're self employed

Yorkieabroad

need to keep a close eye on you tax liabilities if you're going to try that....

Yorkieabroad

We're in the UK now - have had quite a bit of routine treatment. Always been totally up front and told the doctors that we are not entitled and will be paying. They all seem embarrassed to talk about money, have no idea what any of the treatment costs, and tell us not to chase them if we don't get an invoice!!! So far we've only had one bill for a girly procedure for my wife. Was quoted $900 dollars in the US before we left (after Ins Co negotiated discount) and it cost us 80 quid in the UK.

Had an argument with the lady at the dentists last week when I went in to make an appointment - she insisted I was eligible for NHS treatment, I insisted I wasn't as non-resident. She didn't want to accept that I was not entitled, and wanted to stick me on the 6 month waiting list to join the practise as an NHS patient (our town is oversubscribed for NHS dental slots - a common problem from what I hear) In the end her colleague convinced her I was right, and I now have an appointment next week for a 20 quid check up. Crazy.