How much do you pay for healthcare?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Rubbish dude. You missed my two incidents last year.

Both my wife and I have our own coverage plans and cover each other. Top of the line policies. So we effectively have two policies (each). However, we still could not get my wife's mammogram covered because they specifically stated that as she is under 35, they are not in the business for preventative health care. The mammogram cost us $735. The same mammogram paid in cash in AUS, no medicare or private insurance, would cost ~$120 - ~$180 if I went to a private center.

--------

Oct 7 2009

This is the first time I personally had to use insurance here, as I usually paid cash for the doctors. I went to a doctor and then had a few basic tests. No real difference from going to a doctor in Aus but they do have more admin staff and nurses in the doctors office, which we just don't have in AUS. Waited 20 minutes rather than the usual 30 to an hour back in AUS. I would probably have had to go to a private clinic to have the lab tests in AUS. Doctor provided me some samples of the meds and I was off. Just the other day I see the explanation of benefits mailed to me. To my surprise, I was not covered. What got me the most is the cost.

$180 to see the doctor - for 15 minutes

$330 lab costs.

Are these prices for real? There is the problem right there. The NHS (government policy) would have paid the doctor $90 for the visit. $180 for a 15 minute consultation is extortion. Regarding the Lab costs, my cousin works in a private lab that does such testing. She emailed me that they wold have billed NHS $145 for these same tests.

Now the reason the insurance denied the claim is because I have two insurance polices. How is that for a joke. I have my own policy for both my spouse and I and she has her own policy covering me too. So it's a battle on which policy will cover it. Nearly $750 in premiums between us an they are denying me because of bullshit.

The fun doesn't stop there. I go to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription and I find out that they don't cover this brand, so it will cost $193 to buy. Can someone tell me how this same medication costs $47.30 to buy in AUS but $193 here? Furthermore, it comes in a factory sealed blister pack in AUS.

Now what sort of an idiot thinks the government option is a bad idea?

--------

Government option in AUS:

Doctors visit: $0 co-pay period*

Hospital visit: $0 co-pay period

Medication: Actual price (not subsidized) - Aging and long-term ill covered by PBS: $4.77

* The Schedule fee is a fee for service set by the Australian Government and not what your doctor charges you.

Medication cost (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Doctor recommended: **rejected by the insurance

US: $133.81

AUS: $29.49

Alternative: (covered)

US: $193.00

AUS: $47.30 (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Why, did you send me yours?

Then why did you say that you would have to go back to Australia if you needed a non emergency procedure because it would cost you too much money here since you didn't have insurance?

[onwa 6]

Rubbish dude. You missed my two incidents last year.

Both my wife and I have our own coverage plans and cover each other. Top of the line policies. So we effectively have two policies (each). However, we still could not get my wife's mammogram covered because they specifically stated that as she is under 35, they are not in the business for preventative health care. The mammogram cost us $735. The same mammogram paid in cash in AUS, no medicare or private insurance, would cost ~$120 - ~$180 if I went to a private center.

--------

Oct 7 2009

This is the first time I personally had to use insurance here, as I usually paid cash for the doctors. I went to a doctor and then had a few basic tests. No real difference from going to a doctor in Aus but they do have more admin staff and nurses in the doctors office, which we just don't have in AUS. Waited 20 minutes rather than the usual 30 to an hour back in AUS. I would probably have had to go to a private clinic to have the lab tests in AUS. Doctor provided me some samples of the meds and I was off. Just the other day I see the explanation of benefits mailed to me. To my surprise, I was not covered. What got me the most is the cost.

$180 to see the doctor - for 15 minutes

$330 lab costs.

Are these prices for real? There is the problem right there. The NHS (government policy) would have paid the doctor $90 for the visit. $180 for a 15 minute consultation is extortion. Regarding the Lab costs, my cousin works in a private lab that does such testing. She emailed me that they wold have billed NHS $145 for these same tests.

Now the reason the insurance denied the claim is because I have two insurance polices. How is that for a joke. I have my own policy for both my spouse and I and she has her own policy covering me too. So it's a battle on which policy will cover it. Nearly $750 in premiums between us an they are denying me because of bullshit.

The fun doesn't stop there. I go to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription and I find out that they don't cover this brand, so it will cost $193 to buy. Can someone tell me how this same medication costs $47.30 to buy in AUS but $193 here? Furthermore, it comes in a factory sealed blister pack in AUS.

Now what sort of an idiot thinks the government option is a bad idea?

--------

Government option in AUS:

Doctors visit: $0 co-pay period*

Hospital visit: $0 co-pay period

Medication: Actual price (not subsidized) - Aging and long-term ill covered by PBS: $4.77

* The Schedule fee is a fee for service set by the Australian Government and not what your doctor charges you.

Medication cost (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Doctor recommended: **rejected by the insurance

US: $133.81

AUS: $29.49

Alternative: (covered)

US: $193.00

AUS: $47.30 (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Why, did you send me yours? I am sure there is an article you could be finding, in a country you apparently don't care about and are not obsessed with..

Hope you get the insurance sorted out. What a pain.

[onwa 6]

On a complete side note, although I don't post on VJ much, this has been my most popular thread and that makes me happy (and a loser). So easily pleased am I.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

On a complete side note, although I don't post on VJ much, this has been my most popular thread and that makes me happy (and a loser). So easily pleased am I.

[Ali G. 37]

Then why did you say that you would have to go back to Australia if you needed a non emergency procedure because it would cost you too much money here since you didn't have insurance?

You don't listen do you, actually you only listen to yourself or the other w----r on here: Sc-nd-l.

I said ... Heck dooooggg, I even found it for you..

Bingo! I honestly fear using the health care system here. I actually have two bloody policies, which means double the coverage, and still fear using the system; as it's a pain in the butt. If I came down with anything serious, I would be on the next flight to Australia for treatment. The only time I would use a doctor here is if I knew they were a specialist in the field. Great doctors and nurses here but a ######-house system.

Prior to using the US system, I used to talk it up to those back in Aus, as I didn't know how it properly worked.

I no longer mention it. period

Edited March 12, 2010 by Ali G.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

You don't listen do you, actually you only listen to yourself or the other wanker on here Scandal.

I said ... Heck dooooggg, I even found it for you..

You said it many months ago, not in this thread.

[Ali G. 37]

You said it many months ago, not in this thread.

Yes, hence the bloody link in my post from Feb ..

Read dude..

Edited March 12, 2010 by Ali G.

[mRx 16]

1.000000000000000000 = 1 - you nutty fool

It depends entirely on which way you look at it. 1.000000000000000 may be the same as 1 in math, but in other professions it's most definitely not.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Rubbish dude. You missed my two incidents last year.

Both my wife and I have our own coverage plans and cover each other. Top of the line policies. So we effectively have two policies (each). However, we still could not get my wife's mammogram covered because they specifically stated that as she is under 35, they are not in the business of preventative health care. The mammogram cost us $735. The same mammogram paid in cash in AUS, no medicare or private insurance, would cost ~$120 - ~$180 if I went to a private center.

--------

Oct 7 2009

This is the first time I personally had to use insurance here, as I usually paid cash for the doctors. I went to a doctor and then had a few basic tests. No real difference from going to a doctor in Aus but they do have more admin staff and nurses in the doctors office, which we just don't have in AUS. Waited 20 minutes rather than the usual 30 to an hour back in AUS. I would probably have had to go to a private clinic to have the lab tests in AUS. Doctor provided me some samples of the meds and I was off. Just the other day I see the explanation of benefits mailed to me. To my surprise, I was not covered. What got me the most is the cost.

$180 to see the doctor - for 15 minutes

$330 lab costs.

Are these prices for real? There is the problem right there. The NHS (government policy) would have paid the doctor $90 for the visit. $180 for a 15 minute consultation is extortion. Regarding the Lab costs, my cousin works in a private lab that does such testing. She emailed me that they wold have billed NHS (the government) $145 for these same tests.

Now the reason the insurance denied the claim is because I have two insurance polices. How is that for a joke. I have my own policy for both my spouse and I and she has her own policy covering me too. So it's a battle on which policy will cover it. Nearly $750 in premiums between us an they are denying me because of bullshit.

The fun doesn't stop there. I go to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription and I find out that they don't cover this brand, so it will cost $193 to buy. Can someone tell me how this same medication costs $47.30 to buy in AUS but $193 here? Furthermore, it comes in a factory sealed blister pack in AUS.

Now what sort of an idiot thinks the government option is a bad idea?

--------

Government option in AUS:

Doctors visit: $0 co-pay period*

Hospital visit: $0 co-pay period

Medication: Actual price (not subsidized) - Aging and long-term ill covered by PBS: $4.77

* The Schedule fee is a fee for service set by the Australian Government and not what your doctor charges you.

Medication cost (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

Doctor recommended: **rejected by the insurance

US: $133.81

AUS: $29.49

Alternative: (covered)

US: $193.00

AUS: $47.30 (not subsidized by gov or insurance)

What jacked up policy do you have and what state do you live in?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Yes, hence the bloody link in my post from Feb ..

Read dude..

No dud, it was back when you were Haza.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It depends entirely on which way you look at it. 1.000000000000000 may be the same as 1 in math, but in other professions it's most definitely not.

They are not the same. They are equal.

[Darnell 8,478]

anyone?

Bueller?

Stay on Topic ?

Can?

Purty Please?

[Ali G. 37]

What jacked up policy do you have and what state do you live in?

What do you mean? I have not mentioned policy, just that we have two of them. We are with Anthem BlueCross

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

anyone?

Bueller?

Stay on Topic ?

Can?

Purty Please?

Not until you agree that 1.0 equals 1.

[zenaxe 22]

One of my biggest concerns with relocating to the USA is the health care issue. Are present, with my gov't job, I pay $57 monthly for health care premiums. It was at $54 for about 14 years and went up for $3 this year. This included vision and all my extended health. No copays, no concern for any maximum number of times to see the doctor, no issue whatsoever for being denied for any pre-existing conditions etc. So a pre-existing condition is when you are sick or have a medical issue. You are discrimated against and possibly dropped or risk having your premiums sky rocket because you need care and have a medical condition. How punitive and draconian is this?

Our biggest issue in Canada is the matter of waitlists at times, for some procedures and that can be a problem. This isn't for life threatening issues. Variables include rural services verses urban etc.

I've been listening very closely to the health care debate in the USA for the past year. There IS a lot of fear mongering taking place and clearly Canada's system has been attacked and misrepresented at times, absolutely by the right wing faction. A meaningful debate should take place but unfortunately the politics are the priority and things get silly and we're left with death panels and pulling the plug on grandma and other tomfoolery. As well there is a notion that Canada's system is run by gov't. But it's run by doctors and nurses who don't work directly for gov't. The gov't adminsters and funds health care. It has legislation and regulations but it doesn't run it. Doctors are private practitioners.

Our system isn't perfect but it's not based on privilege; it's a right. In the USA, it's a privilege of sorts. Odd how you don't have the right to health care but a right to bear arms.

Health insurance companies in the USA at times discriminate and appear to be completely in charge of health care. I believe America has great health care professionals. In my view, the debate should be over health insurance and not health care. To me 'health care' is really a dialogue or negotation between a patient and his or her medical professional who agree on a course of action to provide health care services; how those services are PAID is really the issue and that has little to do with health care; it's about payment of those services, health insurance.

Hearing peoples' stories of huge deductibles, high monthly premiums and less than stellar health coverage is a concern. Moreover, having so many people not convered by insurance is just wrong despite neo conservatism that promotes an every man for himself paradigm.

And the USA pays more per capita than any other civilized country. Reform is needed; the question is what will be reformed and what it'll look like. Too bad a decent debate can't be had as it deterioates to the ridiculous faster than a Ferrari.

Just my humble opinion and rant for the day.