American Health Care

[Frijj]

No. Why would I be happy with their system?


Even if you pay more in than most through taxes and then don’t use public services?

Yes. I think it's fundamental to equality that essential public services are accessed equitably. I would have no private non-cosmetic medical care, no private education, etc.

Why should someone receive better healthcare or better education just because they or their family have more money than someone else? Those things are basic human rights by my reckoning, but money doesn't make you a better or more worthy human being.

 

[Teed]

No. Why would I be happy with their system?


Even if you pay more in than most through taxes and then don’t use public services?

Seems like that's what you're after, why pay into the system then not use it, that's just stupidity, like I said, you're free to spend your money whatever way you like, but from my understanding, any treatment beyond the basics is carried out by NHS doctors, I may be wrong? but if it is still the case, then this only entices doctors away from the NHS and into the private sector, not a healthy situation for the NHS or the people that depend on it.

Seems it's not the case now, But! there is this

A consultant at an NHS hospital is employed there, and the hospital is liable for everything that happens to his or her patients. But consultants who practise at private hospitals are not technically employees. This allows the hospitals to avoid liability when something goes wrong. If blame is established, it is the consultant’s insurers who pay. The private hospital thus has no financial incentive to minimise risk – for example by having two or three resident medical officers on the wards, with some seniority, or by paying anaesthetists to be on call, let alone by directly employing surgeons, instead of relying on NHS consultants, whom they do not even need to pay – all measures that would significantly raise their costs.

On the contrary, because private hospitals’ profits come mainly from the private patients the consultants bring to the hospital, bosses have an incentive not to look too closely at what the consultants do. That is not to say that they are indifferent. But responsibility for ensuring that consultants operate safely is entrusted to a medical advisory committee drawn from the consultants who work there.

 

[The Continuing Story]

I lived in America for 6 months when at uni. I got pissed and climbed on a roof then jumped down. I was completely fucked but my mate picked me up and carried me home. Couldn't walk in the morning so got a ambulance. Had CAT scan and turned out I'd fractured a vertebrae. Was in hospital probably 8 hours, had a bit morphene and sent away with a back brace.

Even though I had insurance I got a bill for 12 thousand dollars. They said because I was drunk this was "gross negligence" on my part so voided the insurance

This was in 2001.

Fair enough I was a idiot but a lot of us have no doubt ended up in hospital doing daft things when we were young and pissed.
Luckily it as towards the end of my stay so I just didn't pay it. They kept sending bills to me mams for a few years then must have written it off

12 grand would have completely fucked me and me mam and dad.

The fact that people are voting in droves for the Brexit Party when Farage is on record wanting a more US style of health care is fuckin frightening. Cherish the NHS folks

 

[njmackem]

How does America work with preventative medication?

People are entitled to free things like an over 40's MOT type check up, smear tests, vaccinations etc. All designed to prevent health conditions or nip anything in the bud and treat it before it turns into something more serious. Do you get anything like that with insurance or do people have to pay for stuff like that?

Just curious!

So I get an annual physical examination that checks for all the routine things that doesn't cost me anything. From there the doctor will sit down with me and go over results and recommend any further testing that might be required.

Each visit normally has a co-pay to see the doctor ($25 for my policy), and then the doctor bills the insurance. For most stuff there is no out of pocket for my policy. Last year I dropped a knife through my foot and that cost me about $225 out of pocket.

Last time I was in the US with work I amazed at the figures lads were bandying about for health insurance, tbf I was amazed at how much some were paying for property tax aswell

Property tax is completely different here than in the UK though. At least when I pay my property tax (only around $8k a year) I can see first hand where it goes. My town has one of the top 100 schools systems nationally, the town is in immaculate condition and the public services are excellent.
Some people in my town are paying more in tax than I make in a year which is crazy, but when you have a $12m home on 6 acres.... you understand why they pay so much.

 

[AndrewP]

Each time I change jobs, and sometimes year to year within the same job, my coverage is altered but preventative care is not uncommon. Currently I would be reimbursed for an annual physical, blood and urine tests, colonoscopy, etc. and for the bewers mammograms and flange tests.

Aye. Knowing insurance a bit, I'd expect that to happen.

Property tax is completely different here than in the UK though. At least when I pay my property tax (only around $8k a year) I

That's way more than I pay, presuming that's instead of council tax. Then again I live in the shadow of Penshaw monument not the Manhattan skyline.

Each visit normally has a co-pay to see the doctor ($25 for my policy), and then the doctor bills the insurance. For most stuff there is no out of pocket for my policy. Last year I dropped a knife through my foot and that cost me about $225 out of pocket.

Do you not have an annual deductable? I was lead to believe that people would pay the first say £5k per year themselves, and that's on top of co-pay?

 

[njmackem]

Aye. Knowing insurance a bit, I'd expect that to happen.



That's way more than I pay, presuming that's instead of council tax. Then again I live in the shadow of Penshaw monument not the Manhattan skyline.


Do you not have an annual deductable? I was lead to believe that people would pay the first say £5k per year themselves, and that's on top of co-pay?

I guess I do, but I never have reached the deductable for the care I receive. Honestly if my health insurance worked based on how much I actually used it I would be paying pennies a year. Thought about not carrying anything and just covering the bairn, but you know how things are, the second I did that would be the second I had a heart attack and cancer combined and needed a lot of specialist care

 

[AndrewP]

I guess I do, but I never have reached the deductable for the care I receive. Honestly if my health insurance worked based on how much I actually used it I would be paying pennies a year. Thought about not carrying anything and just covering the bairn, but you know how things are, the second I did that would be the second I had a heart attack and cancer combined and needed a lot of specialist care

Aye, I'm the same way. The way I look at it I'm paying for when I'm older and for the kids etc. Aye maybe a bit for the local knackers too, but I think the way the NHS is funded is great.

 

[Chop Sauce]

Yes. I think it's fundamental to equality that essential public services are accessed equitably. I would have no private non-cosmetic medical care, no private education, etc.

Why should someone receive better healthcare or better education just because they or their family have more money than someone else? Those things are basic human rights by my reckoning, but money doesn't make you a better or more worthy human being.

So it’s a race to the bottom.

 

[Frijj]

So it’s a race to the bottom.

Absolutely not. The only people who lose out are the people who would have gamed the system against you, against me, against every one of us who can’t afford to buy our way to better health or better education.

By your logic, everyone who can’t afford private healthcare or private education is at the bottom?

If the rich and wealthy are forced to use public services, do you know what will happen? Suddenly politicians will have an incentive to properly fund them, lest their donors and influential friends stop coughing up the money and support.

 

[Bishop Mackem]

I lived in America for 6 months when at uni. I got pissed and climbed on a roof then jumped down. I was completely fucked but my mate picked me up and carried me home. Couldn't walk in the morning so got a ambulance. Had CAT scan and turned out I'd fractured a vertebrae. Was in hospital probably 8 hours, had a bit morphene and sent away with a back brace.

Even though I had insurance I got a bill for 12 thousand dollars. They said because I was drunk this was "gross negligence" on my part so voided the insurance

This was in 2001.

Fair enough I was a idiot but a lot of us have no doubt ended up in hospital doing daft things when we were young and pissed.
Luckily it as towards the end of my stay so I just didn't pay it. They kept sending bills to me mams for a few years then must have written it off

12 grand would have completely fucked me and me mam and dad.

The fact that people are voting in droves for the Brexit Party when Farage is on record wanting a more US style of health care is fuckin frightening. Cherish the NHS folks

Why did you tell them you were drunk

 

[North Yorks Mackem]

They don’t send you packing tho like a lot of people think. They treat you, put you right then sort out the finances. NHS is great but still requires billions to run. Someone still has to pay but thankfully you are not chased around by accountants and debt collectors after receiving help.

I was in a hospital in the states briefly. Wouldn't do anything until I'd provided proof of insurance.

The American healthcare system is an absolute disgrace.

We are so very lucky to have the NHS. It boils my blood people of Facebook booting off about the local hospital being downgraded one day then posting something in support of that utter thindercnut Farage the next.

 

[The Continuing Story]

Why did you tell them you were drunk

I was still pissed in the morning! And, I didn't think for a second that it would make any difference.

 

[HellsBells]

I have good insurance, my illness cost me the neck end of $2million.

Holy crap man.

I see no one hasn’t picked up on this. Just to reiterate, you HAVE INSURANCE and it still cost you $2m.

 

[Tex]

Aye. Knowing insurance a bit, I'd expect that to happen.



That's way more than I pay, presuming that's instead of council tax. Then again I live in the shadow of Penshaw monument not the Manhattan skyline.



Do you not have an annual deductable? I was lead to believe that people would pay the first say £5k per year themselves, and that's on top of co-pay?

Deeictable depends on your policy. Often (larger) employees offer anywhere from two to five options that are generally on a sliding scale from paying the lowest monthly premium (taken directly out of your pay) that will likely have a higher deductible and copays or a higher monthly premium and less out of pocket at point of service.

When I was single and fit and clueless about this and thought I was indestructible I would just opt for the lowest option to keep as much as possible $$ in my pocket.

Now I have a family policy which covers the bewer and bairn. I think it’s about $300 a month which is obviously subsidized by the company. Choosing all this shite gives me a headache and I look upon insurance as just a giant gamble. You could pay house insurance all your life and on your death bed wonder why you bothered if you had no house issues - in effect you lost the bet - but if the flood or fire came you’d consider it money well spent. For this year I went with a low premium which has a high $3k per year IIRC deductible. Next year I’ll problies opt for paying a higher premium and less at point of service.

On my last job I had a $3k deductible but the company put $3k a year into a Health Savings Account which is basically a tax deferred bank account to pay for health expenses. This was an absolutely class benefit plus they gave four weeks holiday a year which I really miss now but the bastards were micro managing me which I can’t abide so I can’t have too many regrets about binning them off.

 

[AB22 Easy Tiger]

Holy crap man.

I see no one hasn’t picked up on this. Just to reiterate, you HAVE INSURANCE and it still cost you $2m.

As you know, i was in hospital for the best part of two years and part of that time i was in a coma. I also started liver transplant procedures, though my liver healed and it didn’t come to that.

For the most part I cant knock the care but when I was in rehab they charged me a fortune and didn’t even bother turning up for appointments.

 

[North Yorks Mackem]

As you know, i was in hospital for the best part of two years and part of that time i was in a coma. I also started liver transplant procedures, though my liver healed and it didn’t come to that.

For the most part I cant knock the care but when I was in rehab they charged me a fortune and didn’t even bother turning up for appointments.

Crikey mate. Hope all ok now.

You dont really owe 2 million yourself do you?!

 

[nelford_safc]

Just a random question because I haven't read the whole thread. If I visited America and bought holiday health insurance over here before going it would cover a medical bill over there?

 

[Tex]

Just a random question because I haven't read the whole thread. If I visited America and bought holiday health insurance over here before going it would cover a medical bill over there?

Read the small print.
Some insurance is just for flight cancellations, hotel, loss of luggage etc. Other includes health coverage of some sort but likely with a max $$ limit.

 

[Ciro_DiMarzio]

Sounds like the American system is like the Vets over here.
'Do you have insurance?'....kerching!


And probably unnecessary stuff anarl

My dog was at the vets for about a week getting treatment for pneumonia and a few other things. Total bill was over £9000. If he wasn't insured I'd have had to have him put down. Still cost me over a grand in excess fees and other shite.

 

[Pop]

I don't think there should be any private provision of essential public services, including healthcare - I have no problem with people going private for cosmetic procedures, but anything that's essential for health, I don't think you should be able to skip the queue because you earn more.

Private healthcare generates billions in additional tax, you are in favour of banning a lot of things that bring in a lot of cash, right on comrade.

What about the thousands of jobs that the industry provides? More tax lost, nice one comrade.