Medical care in the PI VS US

[spookyturtle 9,465]

A 4 month wait? I've never had a problem getting in to see my Dr the same day if I told the receptionist I was sick and needed to get in asap.

Plus there are urgent care clinics where you can just walk in, much quicker than the ER.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Plus there are urgent care clinics where you can just walk in, much quicker than the ER.

Those are really good for bullet wounds and poodle bites.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Employers don't want that. They want compliant workers who won't complain or quit their jobs, because of the fear of loosing health benefits.

I don't believe that for a minute. There are significant savings to be realized on what is a major component in employee compensation. What employer in their right mind would oppose that? As for employee retention - benefits are typically quite comparable within any given industry. If you work for a company in a given field and enjoy certain benefits, chances are that competitors offer similar benefits to their staff as well. Moving from one employer to the other quite often will not change your benefits in a significant way. I am not aware of any company within my field where health insurance benefits are not offered.

Plus there are urgent care clinics where you can just walk in, much quicker than the ER.

Much cheaper, too.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[Póg mo 1,749]

I don't believe that for a minute. There are significant savings to be realized on what is a major component in employee compensation. What employer in their right mind would oppose that? As for employee retention - benefits are typically quite comparable within any given industry. If you work for a company in a given field and enjoy certain benefits, chances are that competitors offer similar benefits to their staff as well. Moving from one employer to the other quite often will not change your benefits in a significant way. I am not aware of any company within my field where health insurance benefits are not .

I don't know, my company pays about $20,000 per family health insurance plan, $0 co pay for doctor visits, $10 prescription copay. The only reason it pays it, is because it wants people to stick around. Health insurance is probably one of the biggest deciding factor for people to want to come to work at my company. Fact is, people put up with a lot #######, because health insurance is so good.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Those are really good for bullet wounds and poodle bites.

I still prefer the ER for gunshot wounds, but the clinics are usually fine for poodle bites, unless it's a big poodle.

Much cheaper, too.

Some in my area have a flat fee for uninsured patients, I think it's $75 and it includes any x-rays or tests needed. They also accept most insurance too.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I don't know, my company pays about $20,000 per family health insurance plan, $0 co pay for doctor visits, $10 prescription copay. The only reason it pays it, is because it wants people to stick around. Health insurance is probably one of the biggest deciding factor for people to want to come to work at my company. Fact is, people put up with a lot #######, because health insurance is so good.

What about the competition? They get away with providing less on balance? How do they recruit and retain talent?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Some in my area have a flat fee for uninsured patients, I think it's $75 and it includes any x-rays or tests needed. They also accept most insurance too.

Uninsured flat rate here in the area here is $90.00. They bill the insurance $115.00. It's cheaper to pretend you're not insured if you have a high deductible plan and don't expect to meet your deductible over the course of the year.

[Rob L 3,811]

I don't know, my company pays about $20,000 per family health insurance plan, $0 co pay for doctor visits, $10 prescription copay. The only reason it pays it, is because it wants people to stick around. Health insurance is probably one of the biggest deciding factor for people to want to come to work at my company. Fact is, people put up with a lot #######, because health insurance is so good.

Let me back up what you are saying...a bit...

When you have a great plan that reduces the personal stress of wondering whether you can get access or how much you will pay.

When you have a plan that makes it easy to get your medicine

When you have a plan that does not have you on the phone working out who should be paying for what or even if you can have that

When you know there is no question your family is going to get the medical coverage they need without a debate

Then all things being equal the employee will stay in place.

[Póg mo 1,749]

Let me back up what you are saying...a bit...

When you have a great plan that reduces the personal stress of wondering whether you can get access or how much you will pay.

When you have a plan that makes it easy to get your medicine

When you have a plan that does not have you on the phone working out who should be paying for what or even if you can have that

When you know there is no question your family is going to get the medical coverage they need without a debate

Then all things being equal the employee will stay in place.

Exactly, also switching employers usually involves a waiting period before new insurance kicks in. This is okay if you don't have to fill a prescription or have a child that might need an unplanned ER visit.

[Darnell 8,478]

This lady was a Pulmonologist. Did I mention she was hawt beyond measure .

Nah, you've yet to mention it.

Since yer lungs are clear now, please elucidate. Photos not optional.

and yes, PS - good on you for checking out the local talent - My opinion of you has climbed upwards 3 notches.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Exactly, also switching employers usually involves a waiting period before new insurance kicks in. This is okay if you don't have to fill a prescription or have a child that might need an unplanned ER visit.

No idea what industry or field you're employed in but I have changed employers in my field several times over the last decade and a half and the waiting periods that I have endured between all these moves (5 moves total) sum up to precisely 0 days. When I moved last, my wife was 6 months pregnant - no gap in coverage whatsoever. Benefits always kicked in day one - no exception. I guess I found the right field of employment, eh?

[Póg mo 1,749]

No idea what industry or field you're employed in but I have changed employers in my field several times over the last decade and a half and the waiting periods that I have endured between all these moves (5 moves total) sum up to precisely 0 days. When I moved last, my wife was 6 months pregnant - no gap in coverage whatsoever. Benefits always kicked in day one - no exception. I guess I found the right field of employment, eh?

I guess there is no problem then. It doesn't effect you, so problem doesn't exist.

[GandD 5,966]

Yeah, in most manufacturing places I know of, benefits don't kick in until after the "introductory period". Which varies.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Another aspect of how health care is out of control in the US was a recent medical event I had in my life. Car accident, both daughter and wife were involved. Ambulance ride to the ER, treatment included X-rays, CT scans, and some sutures, plus pain meds and muscle relaxants. Three weeks later, I got a bill from the hospital telling me the insurance wasn't going to pay, and I had 9 days to pay the bill in full or I needed to call to schedule payments.

The bill? A few dollars shy of $45,000.

I knew something was wrong, as my insurance had never not paid (Tricare). So I called them, only to discover that they had indeed paid, someone got their wires crossed. So I asked for payment details, and was shocked to find that they had paid about $5,000 of the $45,000 bill, because that is all they were contracted to pay.

So without insurance, I would have been financially crucified, because I had no idea I could negotiate the prices medical stuff costs. Well, not me, per se, but an insurance company.

Crazy, to say the least.

[Pooky 3,784]

The main difference between the US and other first world countries medical costs? The US has a big profit margin built in for the middle man - the for profit insurance companies who are more interested in making sure they get rich than in making sure patients receive the appropriate medical care they need.

And these companies have their hooks so far into Washington, that it will be nigh on impossible to change that.