America's Richest and Poorest States

[mota bhai 2,675]

31. I guess we'll see if my mind changes. A guy I work with had triplets a couple years ago, so he maxes out early every year. Still has to fight the covered/not covered battles with nearly every bill but he almost always wins. And he has supplemental coverage through his wife's work so its not too bad a set up.

All this being said, I still think US healthcare is a joke and things need to be standardized. I kinda lean towards a public option but if the costs for insurance/hospitals/drugs could be somewhat standardized with the private providers, I think that would be a good option. But I don't have much faith in that option. Private businesses have a tendency to be more efficient than the government but way more greedy.

I hate - hate - hate having to fight those fights. I've been paying in for years so WHY THE FU** ARE Y'ALL HASSLING ME now that I actually need it?

On the other hand, I've never had to battle GEICO for auto insurance stuff. They do what I expect them to do, every time.

The one time I've been exposed to a life insurance claim (New York Life) was also positive. Ask for the money, get the money. Easy peasy.

But health insurance? Fuhhgeddaboutit. Those guys are leaches.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

But health insurance? Fuhhgeddaboutit. Those guys are leaches.

Depends on the plan. I like HMO's. Sure, they are like socialized medicine in many ways, but then again, but you don't have to play that stupid game, of what is covered, and what is not. It seems they are all going to "authorized treatment plans", so it is not like you really have a choice any more as to what treatment you will receive for what condition and in what order. Stupidest ####### I ever saw, when you know and the doctor knows, exactly what will happen eventually, but you still have to try the less expensive and ineffective treatments first.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Depends on the plan. I like HMO's. Sure, they are like socialized medicine in many ways, but then again, but you don't have to play that stupid game, of what is covered, and what is not. It seems they are all going to "authorized treatment plans", so it is not like you really have a choice any more as to what treatment you will receive for what condition and in what order. Stupidest ####### I ever saw, when you know and the doctor knows, exactly what will happen eventually, but you still have to try the less expensive and ineffective treatments first.

We don't have HMO options. All our options are PPO which force you to stay on top of your insurer like it was your second job.

[Teddy B 17,252]

We don't have HMO options. All our options are PPO which force you to stay on top of your insurer like it was your second job.

Same here. We switched from HMO to PPO 3 years ago. My weekly out of pocket stayed about the same for a single plan, but the family plan went through the roof. Now I have a $1K deductible. The only thing I do like about the PPO is that referrals are not required for Dr. visits, but that's because I have to pay for the majority cost of those visits up to the $1K deductible.

It's about $50 cheaper per week for my wife and I to have two single plans rather than one family plan.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Teddy B

[GandD 5,966]

See, that's the thing, in Canada, you don't have to deal with any of that. I'm wondering what its worth to me to not have to sit on the phone all day and challenge bills.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

See, that's the thing, in Canada, you don't have to deal with any of that. I'm wondering what its worth to me to not have to sit on the phone all day and challenge bills.

And all the time you spend year after year going over the enrollment information package from your employer making sure that what plan you have is 1) still available and 2) still the best deal for your circumstances. All that time Americans waste collectively serving the insurance companies is absolutely mind numbing. And then you're supposed to stay calm when you have certain numbnuts running around talking about how we have the best health care system in the world.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

The healthcare system here has been the biggest adjustment for me since I moved.

I suddenly have to think about things I honestly never thought about before. It's a ridiculously complicated, inefficient system and it astounds me that people are so arrogant to believe that a) it's functioning properly and b) other countries are the ones doing it wrong.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It's a ridiculously complicated, inefficient system and it astounds me that people are so arrogant to believe that a) it's functioning properly and b) other countries are the ones doing it wrong.

Despite all the clear evidence to the contrary.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I suppose people who don't like it should just leave. Or something.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I suppose people who don't like it should just leave. Or something.

Okay. They only stop you when you try to get back in.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I suppose people who don't like it should just leave. Or something.

If everyone that doesn't like something would leave, this place would be empty.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Only complain about the things deemed worthy of discussion by a panel of experts.

[mota bhai 2,675]

See, that's the thing, in Canada, you don't have to deal with any of that. I'm wondering what its worth to me to not have to sit on the phone all day and challenge bills.

I'd do it. If my employer said they're moving IT to Toronto (or Vancouver or even Montreal) I'd relo in a heartbeat.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm trying to convince my husband to relocate but he loves where he works too much.

[GandD 5,966]

I'd do it. If my employer said they're moving IT to Toronto (or Vancouver or even Montreal) I'd relo in a heartbeat.

What about the housing market? Its like 400k-500K for a town house in Mississauga. I don't know if I can handle that much debt.