Compare International Medical Bills

[rebeccajo 14]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.p...oryId=110997469

Don't just read my highlights here. Go to the link. Interesting.

US:

System type: Employer-employee based (54%) and government funding (46%). Government covers all older adults and the disabled (Medicare), the poor (Medicaid), veterans, government employees and Native Americans.

Coverage: 82% of people under 65; 100% of people 65 or over.

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $6,402.

Breakdown: $2,884 by government; $2,676 for private insurance, with 52% paid by employers, 48% paid by employees; $842 by consumer out-of-pocket*

Great Britain:

System type: Tax-funded, government-run.

Coverage: Universal coverage. All citizens and legal residents.

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $2,723.

Breakdown: $2,371 by government; $352 on supplemental private insurance, OTC drugs, direct payments to doctors.

France:

System type: Universal coverage. Employment-based system, with supplemental private insurance.

Coverage: 100%

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $3,374.

Breakdown: $2,693 by government, $448 on private insurance, $233 consumer out-of-pocket*

Switzerland:

System type: Universal coverage. Individuals must buy coverage directly from private insurers.

Coverage: All citizens and legal residents.

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $4,177

Breakdown: $2,493 by government; $408 on private insurance; $1,276 consumer out-of-pocket*

Japan

System type: Universal coverage. Compulsory employer-employee financed national health insurance (52%); government-paid program for people over 70, the poor and small businesses.

Coverage: 100 % -- all citizens and legal residents.

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $2,358

Breakdown: $1,927 by government; $71 on private insurance; $360 consumer out-of-pocket*

Germany

System type: Universal coverage. Mostly employer-employee based (88%).

Coverage: 99.8 % -- all citizens and legal residents

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $3,673

Breakdown: $2,518 on mandatory employment-based coverage, nonprofit insurance; $259 on for-profit insurance; $349 by government; and $547 consumer out-of-pocket*.

Netherlands

System type: Universal coverage. Employer-employee based system, some private financing.

Coverage: Universal coverage. 98.5% -- all citizens and legal residents.

Average annual per-person spending:

Total: $3,580.

Breakdown: $1,733 by government; $1,614 on private insurance; $223 consumer out-of-pocket*