The Joys of the US medical system

[Peikko 1,575]

I think the worst thing about the US systm versus the UK from my point of view is I am less inclined to seek advice at the early stages of problems, I take a much more wait and see approach in the hopes that things will automatically right themselves. That's not good personal health care really.

[Gaby&Talbert 1]

Bottom line - some people prefer the NHS, some prefer our system - yet both have obvious flaws. No way we're all ever going to see eye to eye about the nitpicky details.

Nope. But the bottom line, one is free (for many people)/very cheap & one is not. HUGE difference.

Neither is free, it is only in how you pay for it.

[TracyTN 237]

Bottom line - some people prefer the NHS, some prefer our system - yet both have obvious flaws. No way we're all ever going to see eye to eye about the nitpicky details.

Nope. But the bottom line, one is free (for many people)/very cheap & one is not. HUGE difference.

Neither is free, it is only in how you pay for it.

At least not free for the majority.

Also a HUGE difference in access to care. I want to see my doctor when I'm sick, not 3 weeks later. But I'm funny that way!

PS stuff like this is sort of what I meant by details that we won't see eye to eye about - what's important to me in a health system isn't important to someone else, and vice versa. Doesn't make mine right and theirs wrong - it just is what it is.

*edited for clarity*

Edited April 7, 2008 by TracyTN

[no name 1]

I was an overseas student in the UK. The first year I didn't work & I paid nothing for NHS. Even had a surgery on it. never had to wait more than a few hours to get in either.

The second year I worked - it was negligible what was deducted for NI.

My husband dislocated his finger here in LA (while waiting for his insurance ot kick in). It cost $1000.

[Mags 112]

Bottom line - some people prefer the NHS, some prefer our system - yet both have obvious flaws. No way we're all ever going to see eye to eye about the nitpicky details.

Nope. But the bottom line, one is free (for many people)/very cheap & one is not. HUGE difference.

Neither is free, it is only in how you pay for it.

At least not free for the majority.

Also a HUGE difference in access to care. I want to see my doctor when I'm sick, not 3 weeks later. But I'm funny that way!

PS stuff like this is sort of what I meant by details that we won't see eye to eye about - what's important to me in a health system isn't important to someone else, and vice versa. Doesn't make mine right and theirs wrong - it just is what it is.

*edited for clarity*

Now you know I am very pro-NHS, Tracy, as we've had this discussion before and I agree with you that on many points we will never agree!

(there's too many agrees in that sentence! lol)

However, I do want to mention that I've never had to wait 3 weeks for a docs appointment in the UK. I was always able to get in the same day.

Edited April 7, 2008 by Mags

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Bottom line - some people prefer the NHS, some prefer our system - yet both have obvious flaws. No way we're all ever going to see eye to eye about the nitpicky details.

Nope. But the bottom line, one is free (for many people)/very cheap & one is not. HUGE difference.

I like your statement is sensible, TracyTN. I tend to disagree with illumine. My fiance pays 230 pounds a month for NHS. To me that seems like $430 and twice what I pay for medical insurance. I can't call that free. UK VAT is higher and I think the amount taken from your wages for taxes is higher percentage-wise. So the "free" NHS is paid for by somebody.

With my limited knowledge, I can't say one is better than the other, or one is more fair. Seems like if one doesn't have much money, they expect or deserve a hand-out and if one does have some money, they might resent having to pay so much of it out to the government. Alas....we'll never be happy. We're just stuck with whatever system we've got...the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all. But isn't it nice to be able to learn about so many cultures? Thanks VJ!

[Lansbury 19]

My fiance pays 230 pounds a month for NHS.

That is making the same error another poster made and chose to not admit it. The National Insurance contribution is not only for the NHS. It is also your contribution into the State Pension and the State Supplementary Pension if you have contracted out of that one.

Not sure what amount goes to which but the £230 is not all heath insurance.

UK National Insurance equates more to US health insurance and Social Security payment.

Edited April 7, 2008 by Lansbury

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

There is also the option of going private in the UK and even that is cheaper than the US. I had BUPA offered to me at my last job in the UK though I never used it except to go to a private dentist. I think I had a co-pay of 15 pounds for the work I had (a crown was fitted) whilst the same treatment recently in the US required copays that totalled $500.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The National Insurance contribution is not only for the NHS. It is also your contribution into the State Pension and the State Supplementary Pension if you have contracted out of that one.

Thanks for the clarification. Didn't understand that. Dummy me.

[T and M 1]

I think the worst thing about the US systm versus the UK from my point of view is I am less inclined to seek advice at the early stages of problems, I take a much more wait and see approach in the hopes that things will automatically right themselves. That's not good personal health care really.

I couldn't agree more. These mysterious "waiting times" in the NHS seem to be a matter of faith, but i've always gotten in same day. and having access to doctors has meant that i have been much much healthier in the UK than in the US.

Total cost per patient (public + private) is about half what it is in the US (public + private).

[Lansbury 19]

The National Insurance contribution is not only for the NHS. It is also your contribution into the State Pension and the State Supplementary Pension if you have contracted out of that one.

Thanks for the clarification. Didn't understand that. Dummy me.

No reason why you would understand it being in the US.

[govols 0]

Interesting

http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/2007/bestmedicare.htm

Tony

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Thought I resurrect this thread, my biggest worry/fear about moving to the USA is Health Insurance. There seems to be immigrant, visitor, short-term insurance policies and to be honest I'm not sure which one would apply to K-1 status. Some policies are dependant on marital status, residency or even how long you've been in the country. There are too many variables involved to do a thorough search. Then you've got the dreaded medical insurance terms such as Pre-Existing Conditions, Co-Pay, Co-Insurance and Deductible, again I'm not sure how these terms relate/mean in a policy.

I'm asking all UK Vj'ers out there currently in the USA which health insurance provider and which policy would you recommend to cover yourself with while you enter on a K-1 Visa? Cheers

[chizkeyk 0]

"The Joys of the US medical system" doesn't really make sense!!!! There are NO joys!!!

However, in Canada, where I'm from.... we don't get "free" medical care.... we do in fact pay for it.... BIG TIME!!!!

At my husband's income level here in the U.S., he pays at least 1/4 of the income tax here than he would in Canada. So, we have more useable income here than we would ever have in Canada. The only difference is that in Canada you never have to worry about getting sick, going to the hospital, delivering babies or seeing a doctor. You may have to wait.... but it won't cost you anything.

It would probably COST your LIFE!

I'd rather pay, my copay of $25 for emergency stuff and specialists, my plan has no deductibles to meet, RX plan too, vision and dental......... than to WAIT... Hello, I am paying to get all these comforts and no one has the right to keep me WAITING from being treated...

As what you are saying, in Canada, u dont normally get it as free as you've been paying for your healthcare system though ur excessive taxes, then there should be NO WAITING GAME....

(I love America, hate's O and his socialized healthcare)

Edited June 17, 2009 by chizkeyk

[chizkeyk 0]

Had my complete dental fix here and it cost me a lot. Insurance do not cover for it because I am no longer a minor and dental works is not medically necessary.

For my dental braces = $8,000

Implants @ $2,500 each = $7,500

CT Scan = $350

Bone Grafting = $750

Retainer = $350

It's already a fortune.... I can have this fix in my home country for less than $2,000 for everything. But, I don't trust my country's medical system so it is what it is.