Working in the States
 

Just curious to how people found the transition to working in the States. I went there and found people a bit full on and intense. Is this normal? They said that they will sort out a visa so I'm not wondering about that just yet.

I'm surprised about medical insurance, it seems a f**k load compared to Australia. I asked what happens if somebody lost their job - do they lose access to medical? Erm it seems that they do. One person said that the US has one of the highest living standards in the world. Yep perhaps they do but it doesn't seem that much different to Europe or Australasia.

How have others found moving there to work?

Re: Working in the States
 

Well, it maybe is on the surface. If you ask me, there's a lot more "keeping up appearances" here, but as far as actual productivity goes, I'd say its a wash. If people seem to appear more intense, it is probably because they are stressed from lack of vacation time....

The medical thing - yep - can be the worst place in the world if you lose your job. Never ceases to amuse me - the US is supposed to be the land of entrepreneurship, but in actuality it is a real corporatist society which sometimes discourages initiative - there are a lot of people who would like to start their own businesses etc....but are scared to leave corporate land due to loss of benefits.

Re: Working in the States
 

It's more complicated really. If the insurance you have is company sponsored and COBRA eligible you are able to keep it for a period of time if you lose your job. However, you will have to pay the full premium up to 105% since there will be no company subsidy. That could easily triple or quadruple the cost depending on how much your company pays towards the premium.

In general I find the working culture annoying. Not enough time off, expectations that work is your number 1 priority and no real employee protection.

Re: Working in the States
 

I think a lot of it will have to depend on where you live and what you do for work.

Personally though, it was a lot more intense and people really didn't have much of a going out with mates to have drinks on a Friday night type of culture where I was working. A few people played football or what not but they knew each other from before they worked at the place.

Part of that though was because people had so much further, or more likely take much longer to commute from work to home so they just couldn't be arsed...oh and working stupidly long hours was expected, discounting the excess often expected in the industry.

Re: Working in the States
 

A lot has to do with the company, the specific job, and your colleagues.

But yes, in general, there's no safety net - lose your job and while you may be able to retain your health coverage for 18 months, if you can pay for it, you won't have any past that. Many employers offer no health insurance or woefully inadequate health insurance.

I recently had surgery that required a long convalescence. I'm still having talks between various parties as to how much pay I'm owed. In addition, people seem to think that my time out of the office was some sort of massive holiday. Sorry - I would have preferred to work.

I really want to visit my SO in Europe sometime in the early spring, but apart from paying for it, I know that it will be a fight just to get time off - even unpaid. I feel like a prisoner.

But I'm American from birth. Things were not this bad 20 years ago. And I see worldwide trends to slash all benefits and yet boost productivity of every single worker. This can only be accomplished through fear of losing one's job.

Again, your situation may be different, but this is what the rank-and-file feel. And yet collectivism is still a dirty word. Go figure.

Re: Working in the States
 

I recently lost everything because I had to have a major surgery. 10 weeks off work no pay, no short term disability in my state (nevada). Had to pay my insurance premiums in advance at my work for the time I was going to be off. Still owed $3000.00 for medical bills even with insurance, my regular bills kept coming in. Savings all used up to support myself during that time....
Yeah.. America is great..just dont get sick..

Re: Working in the States
 

I would agree with this and feel fortunate that I work where I do after reading the stories of others. Our company has about 200 full-time employees and is employee owned. Employees start with 3 weeks of paid vacation and after 3 years have four. After 10 years this goes up to five. Add to this the option to "buy" or "sell" a week, basically taking an additional week unpaid or receiving compensation for a week if you don't need it. This is a big plus for me as we love to travel and my family is spread across the country.

Long hours do happen, but that's not the goal. If you work too many hours you're likely to find a manager in your cubical working hard to take something off your plate. It's not a problem to work at home now and then, to come in late due to an appointment or leave early once in a while.

The average tenure at the company is 13.5 years. People generally don't leave, though two more junior employees left last year because the office wasn't sufficiently "fun". That's a new one for me.

Re: Working in the States
 

Things have massively changed for us by moving to the USA - for the better. My husband works less hours. In his last job he was doing 50/60 hour weeks as the norm for the last 2 years. Usually these hours were only doing crunch time or when mastering a game which is fine, I'm used to this at the end of a project but the stress of doing this every day for 2 years nearly killed him and it screwed his relationship with the kids a bit too. He did get about 28 days paid leave in the UK but it became impossible to actually take any time off and while it was kind of nice that he'd end up with a lump sum of money at the end of the year for the holidays he was unable to take - although Gordon Brown took a big chunk of that - he really need time off not money :( He only gets 15 days holiday here and providing his family don't decide to visit again that will be plenty for us.
The commute is less, gone from a 40/50 minute drive to about 10 minutes which is great.
Most of the people he works with have families so there's no real drinking culture (unless it's someone's last day). Because of his previous hours and having no babysitter we're used to staying in so it's no biggie for us.
I know when his current game is close to finishing and mastered he'll be doing stupid hours again but I can live with that.
I can't quite get used to picking my own doctor etc, I'm used to having the NHS and its "get what you're given". Even the private medical coverage we had in the UK isn't a patch on what we get here. From everything I've read we're very lucky to have the insurance we do.
We definitely have a much much higher standard of living here than we did in the UK. Another reason why I never want to go back there.

Re: Working in the States
 

The vacation policy where I work gives all employees 0 days vacation allowance - but you can take unlimited (within reason) paid vacation at the discretion of your manager. This year I will have taken about 4 weeks, which was all that I asked for.

One thing I have noticed here in my line of work (software), compared with the UK, is that people tend to look out more for themselves first - rather than the team. There is less openness and less working together. People like to "own" something specific and not let others in. Productivity is far lower, yet it is not visibly so.

Re: Working in the States
 

I just want to, once and for all, try and bust this myth (well partially bust it anyway).

Australia has both public and private health insurance covers. Public / govt health insurance has a cost and only covers you for non elective procedures. Yes, for common illnesses you are covered. HOWEVER. It has a cost.

For a couple with no kids earning 150k, you will be forced to pay 1.5% i.e. 1500 a year. 150K is considered rich by Australian govt so you will have to pay another 1% as surcharge i.e total 2.5% = $315 a month. This will ONLY cover you for common illnesses and none of the major surgeries.

The way to avoid the surcharge would be to have “private health insurance”. Lot of people end up taking the pvt health insurance so they don’t have to pay 1% surcharge and also get better coverage.

Now, the pvt health insurance totally depends on what type of cover you wanted. For a basic hospital cover my wife and I were paying around $225 a month. NOTE, this is after tax dollars so to convert that to before tax dollars and add it to the 1.5% cost of public health insurance we get to roughly $500 a month. Remember this is before you even add kids to the plan. I compare that with what I am paying now ($300 a month) and I consider US to be financially ahead of the medical insurance in US.

And don’t even get me started on Australian pvt health insurance waiting times. For instance, if my fall were to fall pregnant and didn’t have pregnancy cover for alteast 12 months before falling pregnant, she will not be covered for pvt health insurance.

So, long story short – it’s very easy to say Australia has a health insurance but the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side. Sure, I don’t give 5 start to the US healthcare industry but anyway……

Re: Working in the States
 

You need to add in the Employer contribution in the US to make a logical comparison.

Re: Working in the States
 

I totally understand. I am not comparing cost to the economy – merely comparing out of pocket for the employee.

While I am at it, there is no concept of co-pay in Australia for common illnesses. For the private health insurance, there is copay in the form of daily ‘charges’ capped to certain $ value.

Re: Working in the States
 

It probably would not work dollar for dollar, but the more the employer pays for health insurance the less there is to pay for employees.

Re: Working in the States
 

I see your point. On an average though, I do have a story here.

I work for an institution that does not have flash medical coverage AND I live on North Calif which is way more expensive they say SoCal. So the $300 that I am paying could be much cheaper.

Re: Working in the States
 

Perhaps, but I don't earn $150k. I do have private, but it's only $70 a month which includes dentistry and optical. If I were to become unemployed I would still be covered under Medicare and $70 a month isn't that much to pay from savings.

Re: Working in the States
 

If you are in the US on an employment based visa, it's a moot question, isn't it?
When you no longer have the job, you have to leave the US, so you won't have to worry about continuing coverage.
:)

Re: Working in the States
 

I am telling you right now, $70 a month is a sh*t house plan. Wait (and I hope you don’t have to) to make a claim on any major dental and you will know.

So let’s say you are earning 70k which is 1,050 a year for medicare. Add to that $100 a month (PRE TAX dollars using 30% tax rate) comes to around $190.

So you are paying $190 for your health insurance. Health plans here (agree with previous poster are subsidized due to employer contribution) for a single person is around $150. Sure not a dollar to dollar comparison but I am just trying to make a point.

Downside, as you point out, is if one were to lose one's job, one would be severely screwed vs. Australia being better. That’s how it roles though.

Re: Working in the States
 

The government pays for 30% of my medical insurance here, since I'm a permanent resident, perhaps that's why it's cheaper than yours was. Tax is progressive so it's not 30% tax rate on $70k - it would only be $15k on the amount you give according to the ATO - although this ignores the 1.5% medicare levy and medical insurance. Ok my limit on dental is $600 a year but it's done the job so far. Some people here have been known to fly to Asia and have major dental done there to escape the high prices.

In the US I've been told my personal contribution will be around the mid $200s per month based on an 80/20 split. :eek:

From a very quick glance of US income tax it looked sort of similar to here - of course though ignoring anything that can be deducted.

Re: Working in the States
 

They mumbled something about helping me get a green card. That's PR right?

Re: Working in the States
 

Dude, you are mixing all the issues. As one of the posters said it’s not strictly one on one comparison.

I mean, you can elect NOT to have medical insurance here. No insurance whatsoever and fly to Mexico but do you want to take a chance?

Another thing, I had a root canal in Sydney and didn’t have appropriate cover. I ended up paying 1,600 out of pocket. I had the worst pain in my tooth ever so clearly I wouldn’t have waited to fly out to Asia. If I had an accident, I need coverage then and there. Going to Asia is not an option. You got where I am going? $600 limit is nothing and you are lucky you have not used it up. Insurance is a killer - you realize the worth when you have to access it

You got me on the 30% tax bracket. I will give you that.

Re: Working in the States
 

I suppose I'm more used to the UK way where one has leeway on salary but not really on anything else - you get what you are given. In the US it really does seem that every little thing has to be negotiated.

Re: Working in the States
 

Depends on the state...you can't not have insurance in MA.

Re: Working in the States
 

Many of the things you said are unusual to me, and I'm an aussie born and bred, who has always had private health cover by choice. There is a copay for common illnesses, in that most places now charge rather than completely bulk-billing for GP clinics.

I can't see how you were paying $500/month for "basic hospital" cover - as a single I am paying $130/month for top hospital and extras in Victoria (generally expensive for insurance). I know my parents were paying around $250-300/month for both of them and they have top top blue ribbon everything.

It's not that "the government think you're rich" so you pay more - it's that you can afford more, and that's how our society works. If you have no income, you get free medicare coverage. If you do, pay a copay for the GP. If you have lots, get private cover. I think that's fair.

I have used both Medicare and my private cover in Australia for elective surgery in a private hospital and while of course there are things you get charged for that I think are crap, overall it was a great experience compared to when I have claimed in the US and keep getting bills for all sorts of rubbish.
=====================
Back to the OP:

My US employer-sponsored PPO plan is around $30/month, and dental is around $15/month. I have excellent coverage, altho adult orthodontics is not covered. The years I selected HMO, it was about $70/month medical + $15/month dental insurance.

Re: Working in the States
 

MA may well be the the exception that proves the rule.

Re: Working in the States
 

Curious - what about those who either don't have jobs or have a low paying job that doesn't provide it?

Re: Working in the States
 

Many of the things you said are unusual to me, and I'm an aussie born and bred, who has always had private health cover by choice. There is a copay for common illnesses, in that most places now charge rather than completely bulk-billing for GP clinics.

Never heard about the copay thing and even if I am not born and bred it Australia, I have lived there 10 years + so I have seen a few seasons. Not suggesting you are wrong but I have never heard of that. Until 6 months ago, I have always seen a GP that bulk bills are there are plenty of GP’s in every suburb so no reason for me to visit someone who takes co pay.

I can't see how you were paying $500/month for "basic hospital" cover - as a single I am paying $130/month for top hospital and extras in Victoria (generally expensive for insurance). I know my parents were paying around $250-300/month for both of them and they have top top blue ribbon everything.

If you read back my post, I was using a proxy tax rate to convert the medical insurance premiums in Australia to “PRE TAX” basis. The insurance premiums here in US (via employer who meets certain criteria and most of the employers meet that in US) are pre tax dollars. So if your parents are paying $300 and using a 30% tax bracket – it comes to $425 pre tax. Add to that 1.5% Medicare. That will make it $500 easy. I am also saying that, my wife and I were paying $220 for basic hospital cover. Add to that 1.5% medicare and covert the pvt medical insurance pre tax = $500.

It's not that "the government think you're rich" so you pay more - it's that you can afford more, and that's how our society works. If you have no income, you get free medicare coverage. If you do, pay a copay for the GP. If you have lots, get private cover. I think that's fair.

Don’t even get me started on that. Let’s just say I am a Liberal and I believe in – who uses, should pay. Labor came in power and reduced the limit to 144k. Tell you what 144K after tax with 2 kids and a mortgage in Sydney is average money. But that’s a whole another discussion. And yes, that how Socialistic society works – not “our” society. Talking about fairness – well I agree non income earners deserve access to medicare as much as anyone else.

I have used both Medicare and my private cover in Australia for elective surgery in a private hospital and while of course there are things you get charged for that I think are crap, overall it was a great experience compared to when I have claimed in the US and keep getting bills for all sorts of rubbish.

I was trying to make a point there. I will give you an example. I have a friend who lives in country side in Bundaberg. He has a dodgy knee and requires surgery. He does not have pvt health cover – simply can not afford it. He lives in government DOL. But he would love to work. He has worked all his live but since his knee injury at work (some 10 years ago) he can not stand up extended period of times. Anyway, long story short – he has been on the freaking waiting list for 8 years now to get the knee surgery done. Moral of the story is – 1.5% medicare won’t cover you for much more than common stuff.

Another example. I cut my finger at home and rushed to hospital near by in Sydney. What I am about to share is not over exaggeration. I reached the hospital (public) at around 1030 pm went straight to emergency. I was asked what was wrong and by that time I had some heavy bandage around the two fingers. The reception asked me to take a seat and I was looked at 4.5 hours later. Phucing joke if you ask me. It says more about the shortage of doctors than anything butt he moral of the story is - I pay 1.5% medicare and ever use it may be 2-3 times a year. One of the was above and it takes 4.5 hours to get it looked at? I can not remember why the heck I didn’t go and see private insurance but anyway.
__________________________________________________ ______________


So again, I am not trying to say Australia is better than US or visa versa. I am not making a dollar to dollar comparison. I am not trying to compare an unemployed AU citizen to a job driven US individual. I am merely responding to the OP’s original statement “I'm surprised about medical insurance, it seems a f**k load compared to Australia.” That makes me think OP is saying 1. Australia is much better 2. It’s cheap……both of the things to be are not correct, well atleast the 2nd point more so.

Re: Working in the States
 

You've got to provide proof you have insurance or cover from someone else, or they'll take it out of your tax refund...if work offers it, you've got to take it or show you're covered, if it isn't offered the state has a pool of coverage, which generally isn't cheap but the rate is on a sliding scale.

It's a way for the state to make people move to neighbouring states :D

Re: Working in the States
 

Or the self-employed?

All of the above buy their own insurance, or they pay their own medical expenses out of pocket.
Most providers offer a discount to patients paying cash.

Yes, a green card = Permanent Residence. Normally you would initially be on some sort of employment based visa. If the job goes away, the visa (and a future green card application) goes away with it.
Once you are a PR, you will have more permanent concerns in the US; what the health insurance situation will be at that time is anyone's guess.

Re: Working in the States
 

And don’t even compare the PR process in Australia to GC process here.

Depending on category in which the GC is applied, it could be several years before you get GC.

Re: Working in the States
 

That has absolutely nothing to do with your insurance, or medicare levy etc. It's called "triage" and is a medical consideration of "worst first". I am not sure why you would "rush to hospital" for a cut finger but you definitely can expect to wait hours in any ER in the universe if that's your chief complaint.

Re: Working in the States
 

Look on the bright side - if you were between jobs you wouldn't be paying the tax.

Here - $70 a month insurance which stays the same whether I am working or not, compared to mid $200s if I am working in the US versus $1200 a month if I'm between jobs. Assuming that I'm PR and wouldnt get kicked out the country.

Re: Working in the States
 

Are you posting for the sake of it?

If you read my post again I stated that the delay was more to do with shortage of doctors/nurse (or whatever the right term is) than the medical cover itself. I also stated that when I pay 1.5% for Medicare (which is supposed to care for me when I need it and which goes towards people sit on their backsides and enjoy free healthcare - sorry to generalize) I expect decent service.

What I want to 'repeat' for you is - I don't see Medicare system a problem. I don't see my 1.5% giving me a return. With a deep cut, I am bound to go to the doctor. Or should I say to myself, hmm there are people who need Medicare more than me so let’s just wait for the blood to clot? I don’t give a sh*t to ‘triage’.

So if your family member was in pain and you were to rush to the public hospital, would you think of the ‘triage’ thing or would want them to be cared for?

What a joke…

Re: Working in the States
 

Let me remind you something – if you want to make a decision based on health care then socialist countries are best for you.

I understand your point but people don’t move PURELY based on health care. Well I certainly didn’t. Yes it’s one of the considerations for sure….

Without disrespect, are you trying to convince yourself or anyone else that moving to the states is a bad idea given the health care scene?

Re: Working in the States
 

No, but you keep posting absolute rubbish as if it's gospel. I don't need to constantly re-read your posts - I got it the first time.

Your whole post above is another example. With a cut finger (and a sense of entitlement), I would go to a doctor, not an "emergency" room because I would know I'd wait less time. It's got nothing to do with getting value for your medicare dollars OR staff shortages OR "people who need Medicare more" than you.

Anyhow, I'm out - this is off-topic and you are impossible to discuss anything with.

Re: Working in the States
 

every hospital ive even been in (uk and us) has used triage in the emergency dept to assess relative medical need and queue people up appropriately. Even your doctor would do it in a basic form to determine if what you describe to the appointment making person warrants 'an emergency appointment' or not. I certainly would not want a heart attack patient or severe burns patient sitting waiting for a cut finger to be seen and im sure you wouldnt either.

Re: Working in the States
 

Another example. I cut my finger at home and rushed to hospital near by in Sydney. What I am about to share is not over exaggeration. I reached the hospital (public) at around 1030 pm went straight to emergency. I was asked what was wrong and by that time I had some heavy bandage around the two fingers. The reception asked me to take a seat and I was looked at 4.5 hours later. Phucing joke if you ask me. It says more about the shortage of doctors than anything butt he moral of the story is - I pay 1.5% medicare and ever use it may be 2-3 times a year. One of the was above and it takes 4.5 hours to get it looked at? I can not remember why the heck I didn’t go and see private insurance but anyway.

Let me get back to it again. Above was my original post. Please point me where I make a statement or to that effect that ‘demands’ service before the more urgent folks are treated.

In fact, I clearly state that ‘in my opinion’ the long wait reflects the shortage of staff rather than anything. I can bet you, in a perfect world no doctor would want anybody that needs attention to wait. So on those lines, I believe the triage is more reflection of not having enough resources. The fact that they have to choose and give attention to the more needed folk proves my point. And btw I am fine with it – in that, I understand the issue.

Hence my argument about the 1.5% ‘tax’ that government takes from me so that they can run Medicare program. And when I need it, I couldn’t see the service. I am entitled to my views about this.

About me going to public hospital opposed to GP’s – I clearly remember stopping at the first medical centre which was closed at that hour and may be in panic I went to emergency care. Either way, I thought that was best in the situation ….

And while we are at it, it was not just me who had to wait. there were others in the emergency care who had to wait long hours. If I were to assume I over reacted and should have stayed home or went to GP, there still were others who had to wait.

--------------------

Oh man, I have must better things to do today.

Re: Working in the States
 

Hmmmm how do you figure you are qualified/eligible to have Medicare? Unless you are 65 and have paid into it for 10 years (40 quarters).

Re: Working in the States
 

Sorry you are no longer discussing US healthcare and employment but rather Aussie healthcare and employment.

Disregard please.

Re: Working in the States
 

Rete, they're talking about Australia now, and it seems to be an OT argument, so maybe everyone can agree to disagree about what 'should' be available there and when.
The OP has been asking about work conditions in the US.

Re: Working in the States
 

Thanks! Let's disgree on move on to the OP's question.

OP - On that note, I am saying if you are young and without any major illnesses and up for a challenge of sorts don’t let medical insurance be main reason for a move or not. If you have a decent job offer and visa then you should think what US can offer you in terms of experience, resume add on etc.

Sure, US might not have the comfort of public healthcare but that’s for socialist economies and comparing that with a capitalist economy would not be fruitful.

That’s my view……