rincewind

Sorry if this has been asked before but I'm just being nosey.

With the cost of medical treatment in the US and lack of a National Health Service, I'm curious to see what Expats have done when it comes to health care.

Ash UK/US

Yes we have insurance... we have a $500 deductable a $15 co-pay then 80/20 coverage (used to be 90/10 till it chanced in may).

Ash

Ben

Yes, we have insurance through our employer, but we have to pay for it ourselves. They don't pay for any of it. It is taken out before tax, though.

Manc

$1000 annual deductible 80/20 coverage.
$100 for month for me and the misses, the company pays the rest.

RoB1833

Finally qualified for it through my employer about a month ago.

$112 a month for medical, dental and vision for 3 of us. 80/20 plan with an $800 deductible and $20 co-pay.

Brit'n'TX

my wife works in the microbiology lab at the local hospital - we get excellent coverage through them - $500 deductible, $20 co-pay and 90-10

FlyergirlUK

Mine's through Hubby's work - I'd be buggered, being pregnant, if I didn't have any insurance!!

Mind you, this is the only time I ever have to visit a doc, (when pregnant) as I never get ill.

NC Penguin

My reply doesn't fit into any of the possible answers. Both myself and Mr. NC Penguin are eligible for medical insurance cover through our respective employers but I opted not to get mine through my employer since the monthly premium is much more expensive (like about four times more) than my spouse's plan (even though I work for a healthcare employer).

I've only been to the doctor three times (all routine visits, nothing specific) and there's no copay. I can't remember off hand the amount of the annual deductible but if I stay "In Network" the health plan covers 80% of the billing.

I had my first appointment in January and I had to get the bills for the three visits straightened out 'cos they were seriously wrong. The original bills totalled nearly $500 but by the time I'd sorted things out, I only had to pay approx. $90.00. Reason? My doctor's office had coded my visits wrongly!!

rincewind

My wife had a child from a previous marriage. They had coverage but still had a $20,000 bill when their child was delivered via C-Section.

:scared:

effi

We have it thru husbands employer. It is free, we do not pay for it. We have a $10 doctor visit co-pay, $50 emergency room copay. Prescriptions are $5 if generic, $15 if not.

DaveC

We have a personal plan which covers me, my wife and daughter for about $380/month with a $2500 deductible. About $120 of the monthly premium is for a pregnancy package, so we're hoping to ditch that after baby 2 is born.

My wife and I rarely get ill but it was the pregancy and the cost of potentially being in an accident that swung it for us. They drive like muppets in Texas and if they don't injure you when they crash into you, chances are they've got a gun to finish you off!

rincewind

Make sure your covered for the snip first

FlyergirlUK

Blimey!!!!

Thankfully, I've never had to experience a C-section, (this is boy #3) soooo, I'm thinking it should be a regular birth this time around too...

My insurance cover's pretty damn good though - at my first OB/GYN visit I paid $20 out of $3000 bill and haven't had to fork out a penny since, (bar the ultrasound - different place)!!

britchicknyc

I too have insurance through my job.

Nonetheless I believe "good" insurance costs between 12-15,000 per year if you pay out of pocket.

Having a job that pays for 80%+ is such a luxury!

Since moving from Britain I have very confused and torn thoughts/opinions of the the NHS.

DaveC

LOL, my brother in law has just done this after his 2nd kid. It worked out cheaper for him to get the snip than for his wife to get her tubes tied.

He's set the precedent and I'm eventually expected to follow suit. Given that I have been teasing him about it I'm not looking forward to the return treatment!