ella2013

I am trying to find a medical insurance plan for my husband that covers a pre existing condition (Angina) he has never had an attack,just told that he "probably" has it when experiencing pains a few years ago.He is 48 yrs.
We would really appreciate some advice as never had medical insurance before and it's a bit confusing!.He also takes Simvistatin meds for this.

Bob

Is he already in the US? Has he had a break in cover of more than 62 days? If so, he's unlikely to get cover, unless your state has a high risk pool.

If he hasn't had a break in cover, then there are quite a few threads on BE discussing this with various recommendations, but some of them are state dependent and you haven't said where you are.

ella2013

No we are both in UK still,the Spouse visa has not been approved yet-we are just doing the homework for health insurance as we hope to fly out at New Year if all goes ok.He has his medical next week,Thur 13th Sept.We have been looking at several companies,but because this is all new to us ( i am dual UK/USC but raised in UK) we were wondering if anyone has found a good Insurance Provider they use.
We will be moving to Vermont,i have relatives there.

Bob

There's no such thing as a good private insurance.

The problem tends to be the length of time it can take to get a actual policy and with someone with a pre-existing condition, it can often be a no goer unless the state offers a high risk pool.

If you lived in MA, you could get in the pool, but unless they've changed it, you have to be a MA resident for 12 months to qualify for the state subsidised rates, but it might be a option to consider if VT doesn't offer something similar.

ella2013

Thanks for the advice,we will look at some companies geared at new immigrants for temp cover and see how we go there

fatbrit

Unfortunately, there's no real answer to health insurance unless you're on a group plan provided by an employer. It's all up in the air at the moment anyway, with the new act set to start fully in 2014......if not repealed by the repugnants beforehand.

The best you can hope for before then if he's not going to be covered by an employer is a catastrophic-type policy to stop you going bankrupt should he end up in an intensive care unit.

The pills for his current medication should be quite easy. Pay a doc in cash for the script, and order the pills in 90-day chunks from Canada unless there is a cheap generic available in the US.

It's difficult to understand US health insurance if you've never suffered it before. It goes like this: Get insurance in case you do get ill; however, if you do get ill, we won't insure you.

Don't waste large amounts of money on private insurance since it's generally pretty worthless for progressive diseases, though could prove useful for accidents.

SanDiegogirl

Presume that you will be looking for work as soon as you get to the US.

A Group (employer) plan is the best option for you as they are not likely to turn you down even with pre-conditions.

tuxedocat

I'm not a health insurance expert but I do peddle insurance. I disagree about the catastrophic plan being the best option. IMO the best option would be the federal pcip plan for VT. It's a bridge plan until the new laws go into effect.

https://www.pcip.gov/Default.html
https://www.pcip.gov/forms/PCIP_Enro...rm-ENGLISH.pdf

fatbrit

Which is the plan I use -- though the Arizona one. However, the OP will not qualify for at least 6 months after arriving. And then the plan dies anyway at the end of 2013. Hardly worth it, is it?

Jerseygirl

Just thought I'd throw in this little bit of info for anyone without medical insurance. The few days ago on the news it reported that the average cost of a visit to the ER in the US is $200 per minute.

fatbrit

But then again, last Xmas I ended up in ER, passed through every machine known to mankind, poked and prodded by dozens of docs, spent 4 days in hospital, 2 of which were in intensive care. Negotiated bill without insurance was around $10k. So I make that around $2 a minute for my hospital vacation. It's all total bullshit.

Jerseygirl

2 years ago I fainted...cutting the back of my head. A quick trip to the ER...a few stitches...resulted in a bill of several thousand dollars.

fatbrit

A couple of thousand dollars according to the hospital, presumably. But what did your insurers actually pay them? Half the amount, or less, is a good rough guide. And how much would you have paid them if you were paying cash? Would you have paid the same if you were poor?

The figures banded about for the payment of medical services are fairyland. This is, I'm sure, intentional.

Giantaxe

Yeh, the requirement for six months without any insurance makes this a last resort kind of option.

$2700 for a sprained ankle and a pair of crutches was my ER experience - I guess that was a bargain!

Giantaxe

That's what's so sick about the system. If you have assets and no insurance (or are underinsured), you're in deep shit. If you have no money, they'll give up. If you have good insurance, the hospital will charge the insurer less to get their custom via a "negotiated rate".

"Best healthcare system in the world". Lol.