Moving to the US oppinions regarding health insurance
Jul 27th 2012, 1:23 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Re: Moving to the US oppinions regarding health insurance
Group health plans can't ask you about anything you haven't had treatment for or advice given outside the last 6 months. Pre-existing condition is clearly defined under HIPAA and that's all they can ask about. Even then, they cannot deny a claim if the service/drug/whatever is covered under the plan you are on, the only thing they can do is make you wait for a period of up to 12 months after you start you job before they cover anything related to a pre-existing condition. However, if your coverage starts within 64 days of leaving the UK, you can credit time covered under the NHS towards that 12 month period.
Jul 27th 2012, 2:22 pm
#17
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,086
Re: Moving to the US oppinions regarding health insurance
Thanks for this.
It's very likely I will be covered by group insurance, I certainly don't plan on heading straight down the doctors when I get there either.
Obviously I have been sponsored to go out there and will start relatively high up the food chain in the company so hope that if I do get hit by a car they wont go digging for a reason not to pay out.
Here in the UK we can request to have to have alterations made to our records provided they don't have clinical significance, as mine don't given the investigations showed nothing more than I am a healthy adult.
That being said I know "being in the industry" that such investigations on my records, despite not leading to anything, raise an unwanted red flag. I don't want to have to pay 500 dollars more a month for healthcare because my shoulder hurt for a bit after a bit of a bump.
It's very likely I will be covered by group insurance, I certainly don't plan on heading straight down the doctors when I get there either.
Obviously I have been sponsored to go out there and will start relatively high up the food chain in the company so hope that if I do get hit by a car they wont go digging for a reason not to pay out.
Here in the UK we can request to have to have alterations made to our records provided they don't have clinical significance, as mine don't given the investigations showed nothing more than I am a healthy adult.
That being said I know "being in the industry" that such investigations on my records, despite not leading to anything, raise an unwanted red flag. I don't want to have to pay 500 dollars more a month for healthcare because my shoulder hurt for a bit after a bit of a bump.
I agree with Lansbury...full disclosure...or it may come back to bite you in the arse for something relatively minor in US terms (think of a few tens of thousands dollars).
Jul 27th 2012, 4:05 pm
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: My Old KY Home!
Posts: 6,498
Re: Moving to the US oppinions regarding health insurance
Yep, when signing up for our employer group insurance policies throughout the years, the form only asks for name/address/dependent names/birth dates, social security numbers - basically contact details. I've never seen anything that asks for medical history when signing up for a group insurance, and I don't think they can. Private policies are a different matter entirely.
Jul 27th 2012, 4:48 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,754
Re: Moving to the US oppinions regarding health insurance
The OP must get full details of health insurance and benefits before coming to the USA. There is an enormous range of health insurance plans in the US. Things to find out are your monthly premium, the employer should pay around 75% of the total premium leaving you to pay 25%, what is the annual deductible and out of pocket maximum, what are the co pays and what is covered.
Tp come to the US without a thorough understanding of your health insurance would be foolish and in the worst of worlds, very expensive.
Tp come to the US without a thorough understanding of your health insurance would be foolish and in the worst of worlds, very expensive.
Jul 27th 2012, 5:52 pm
#20
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,866
Re: Moving to the US oppinions regarding health insurance
A common mis understanding:
I have a company /group plan, and feel lucky for it. I pay about $50 a month in premiums.
However: Deductible is $1500 ,and out of pocket is $5k, so if I end up injured I will still have to pay several $k upfront..
I have a company /group plan, and feel lucky for it. I pay about $50 a month in premiums.
However: Deductible is $1500 ,and out of pocket is $5k, so if I end up injured I will still have to pay several $k upfront..
