Jump to content

72 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Posted (edited)
  On 7/25/2013 at 7:47 PM, Owen_London said:

Can you explain why you "don't see that happening"? A doctor's office in the US is a business just like any other.

Yes, exactly. So if the system were such that a whole segment of the population with a certain type of government insurance was an "undesirable" for a doctor's office, and then that segment of the population were unable to see a doctor, people would go apesh!t. I can't believe that when designing a system, that the authors of it would not notice this huge gaping weak spot, and that after all the fighting over in in congress (a few years) that no one would notice. There are many dumb politicians, but enough smart ones that someone would have said "hey! this system is going to screw over Medicare recipients!"

So I meant that I don't see that scenario happening, not because the doctors are all loyal angels, but because I don't see the system being designed that way. (my second clause in the sentence you quoted maybe incorrectly connected to the previous clause) There has to be some checks in place to keep both the doctors and the insurers from running wild and screwing over people, which is what Obamacare is about.

This new system was a compromise, based on a Republican idea. Democrats traditionally wanted (and still do want) a single-payer system, basically Medicare for everyone. So they are not going to make Medicare super crappy when they want everyone to get on Medicare eventually.

Edited by Harpa Timsah

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Posted
  On 7/25/2013 at 7:56 PM, Harpa Timsah said:

Yes, exactly. So if the system were such that a whole segment of the population with a certain type of government insurance was an "undesirable" for a doctor's office, and then that segment of the population were unable to see a doctor, people would go apesh!t. I can't believe that when designing a system, that the authors of it would not notice this huge gaping weak spot, and that after all the fighting over in in congress (a few years) that no one would notice. There are many dumb politicians, but enough smart ones that someone would have said "hey! this system is going to screw over Medicare recipients!"

So I meant that I don't see that scenario happening, not because the doctors are all loyal angels, but because I don't see the system being designed that way. (my second clause in the sentence you quoted maybe incorrectly connected to the previous clause) There has to be some checks in place to keep both the doctors and the insurers from running wild and screwing over people, which is what Obamacare is about.

This new system was a compromise, based on a Republican idea. Democrats traditionally wanted (and still do want) a single-payer system, basically Medicare for everyone. So they are not going to make Medicare super crappy when they want everyone to get on Medicare eventually.

I think you may have more faith in the competence of politicians and the mechanisms of democratic government than anyone I've ever met.

All I can say is that I very much doubt that your assumptions are correct.

Posted

Medicare is government run and they are not going to make it suck so much that it's virtually blacklisted, or even second best. It's about special interests.

But we can, of course, disagree.

AOS for my husband
8/17/10: INTERVIEW DAY (day 123) APPROVED!!

ROC:
5/23/12: Sent out package
2/06/13: APPROVED!

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted

Like the VA?

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Posted
  On 7/25/2013 at 7:37 PM, Harpa Timsah said:

The thing with insurance is that they have artificially inflated the prices of medicine. So, say, a doctor's visit costs $50, but the insurance demands that the doctor bill it at $250. Then the insurance pays "$250" and the $50 it really costs goes to the practice, but on the bill it shows more. So insurance has this totally artificial means of increasing costs on paper while nothing in practice really changes.

I don't follow this at all about insurances "forces" them to charge.

A real life example from my medical software I use to track bills.

MD Anderson Hospital chemotherapy bill (one treatment) $24,069.90

Aetna contract says they think it's worth $15,705.

Aetna pays their percentage $14,637.50. I pay my co-pay percentage $1067.50.

MD Anderson can't collect the rest because they contracted to accept what Aetna decides is reasonable and customary.

Aetna didn't force them to charge $24k. They could have charged $100k, but they won't get more than the negotiated rate each insurer puts before them and they agree to. They can always decline to accept certain insurers.

(For anybody following this not used to insurance. This was only the hospital bill. There was also lab bills and doctor fees. We were over half a million by the time my husband passed away that year. But our "out of pocket maximum" kicked in before the end of January, which means insurance paid 100% (of their negotiated rate) and we had no further percentage once we had paid our maximum.).

So same hospital this year. My husband's boss was diagnosed with leukemia. He has no insurance. He has racked up bills approaching a million so far this year. He was given a payment plan $400/month basically for the rest of his life. I can't help but think part of the inflated prices are because they treat many who can't pay. They have to get the money somewhere. It's a racket, but at least those who need treatment have an option.

Now he is in Bethesda, Maryland for 10 weeks, accepted into a program where the federal government will pay for his medical treatment, airfare, food, hotel...all expenses...for three years.

  On 7/25/2013 at 7:37 PM, Harpa Timsah said:

That's also why if you say you are paying in cash the doctor/hospital will ]quote you a figure at like a quarter the normal price. The "normal" price is what the insurance forces the place to "charge." When they don't have to go through insurance they can charge you the real price.

Not my experience...that 75% discount. Real figures from new hubby visits ER. No insurance.

Hospital charge including CT scan- $5209. Discount for immediate payment 30%. I pay $3646.30

ER doctor fee- $1067 - Discount for immediate payment 50%. I pay $533.50

Radiologist who read the scan - $696.00. Discount for immediate payment 30%. I pay $487.20.

Pathologist (no clue why) - $147.85. Discount for immediate payment 30%. I pay $103.50.

Yep, we were out $4770.50 that month, but I didn't even send him back. :P

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

Posted
  On 7/17/2013 at 5:53 PM, rhirhi said:

OK, I know that I need insurance should I get sick or injured before I get married and my fiancé's insurance kicks in. That's the bit that I do understand, however the bit I don't understand is whether I will be penalised when I complete my first tax return if I don't have insurance between arrival and marriage (about 1 month).

From what I've read, US citizens (or certainly MA citizens) are fined for each month that they go without, what I don't understand is whether there will be a grace period for K1s until they get married.

I doubt I'll end up going without, I just want to get the full picture.

We didn't go the fiance route so my hubby had the NHS until I added him to my plan. I was allowed to add him to Blue Cross of MA plan as soon as I provided a copy of the marriage paperwork. He was still living in UK at that time. He had travel insurance for visits prior to being added to my plan. Check with your travel provider and have him add you to his plan. Have your husband add you as soon as you are married.

You do not have to be a US Citizen to be on insurance.

We also live in MA and are aware of the fine for lack of insurance when taxes are filed. You must file taxes by the 15th of April for the prior year. We wed in July 2009 but the he was unable to move here until Feb 2010. Since David was not living and working here in the prior year our accountant had me file on my own in 2010 for my 2009 year taxes. If you are not living and working here you won't be responsible for taxes yet.

  • 1 month later...
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
Posted

So what have you guys done or planning to do?

One poster said that the fiance insurance looks fishy - so I don't think I will go with that. Traveler's insurance and then my fiance's healthcare plan once we're married?

K1 Visa

NOA2 - 13.04.13

Packet 3 received - 07.05.13

Packet 3 sent - 26.06.13

Packet 3 logged on CEAC - 09.07.13

Medical - 05.07.13

Medical results received at embassy - 10.07.13

DS2001 received at embassy 12.07.13

Last status update on CEAC 10.07.13 - Ready

Packet 4 received - 07.08.13

Interview - 15.08.13 - Approved.

AOS

AOS/EAD/AP filed 16.11.13

USCIS received applications 18.11.13

Biometrics appointment 13.12.13

Waiting..

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted
  On 9/4/2013 at 6:01 PM, PearlyLemons said:

Traveler's insurance and then my fiance's healthcare plan once we're married?

No good solution, apart from get married asap.

Travel Insurance is for those visiting, ie going back.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted (edited)
  On 9/4/2013 at 6:01 PM, PearlyLemons said:

So what have you guys done or planning to do?

One poster said that the fiance insurance looks fishy - so I don't think I will go with that. Traveler's insurance and then my fiance's healthcare plan once we're married?

Yeah we're planning on just getting married soon after POE. When I get a job I'll then probably go on my own insurance as the teacher health insurance deal is pretty good smile.png

Edited by rhirhi
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
Posted (edited)
  On 9/4/2013 at 6:56 PM, Boiler said:

No good solution, apart from get married asap.

Travel Insurance is for those visiting, ie going back.

Thanks for the heads up, Boilergood.gif

Might have to forgo this church wedding.....

Oh well, important thing is we're together, married and happy (with an insurance plan ;) ). We are gonna have some peed off parents....

Edited by PearlyLemons

K1 Visa

NOA2 - 13.04.13

Packet 3 received - 07.05.13

Packet 3 sent - 26.06.13

Packet 3 logged on CEAC - 09.07.13

Medical - 05.07.13

Medical results received at embassy - 10.07.13

DS2001 received at embassy 12.07.13

Last status update on CEAC 10.07.13 - Ready

Packet 4 received - 07.08.13

Interview - 15.08.13 - Approved.

AOS

AOS/EAD/AP filed 16.11.13

USCIS received applications 18.11.13

Biometrics appointment 13.12.13

Waiting..

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline
Posted

Ask his PArents if they can add you to their Insurance Plan! That should shut them up.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...