Is there such a thing as MSP or equivalent in the US?

[charmed2006 31]

I am sorry if I post this on a wrong section but I am just confused.

Can anybody shed some lights please?

I was asking my fiance' how much the monthly fee for State Medical Plan or MSP (Medical Service Plan) as we call it here in BC. He said, his company is deducting around $180 monthly form his pay cheque. I told him that is different from MSP. I told him the fee you are paying the government, not an insurance company. Though we both are talking in Filipino, I feel that I am an alien talking but with him not understanding anything.

I told him, what his company is deducting from him is what we call that Extended health here. And why is it that expensive for such extended health? Is this normal?

sorry if my question sounds stupid..

[kzielu 1,149]

You don't pay anything to the government in US, there is no public healthcare - everything is essentially private. In addition to monthly deductions from paycheck, there may be a deductible (sum up to which everything you pay out of your pocket) and you split costs with the insurer. It is not extended health care most likely - it's the basic one and very expensive compared to what you probably are used to.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Not stupid questions at all, but its good to educate yourself on how healthcare works in the US. As mentioned there is no Government healthcare that you're paying into per-say. In Canada, you're right, medical insurance just covers extended healthcare beyond what the province covers, however in the US you are paying for all healthcare - whether his employer pays some and he pays some or he pays all. It can cover everything from basic Drs visits to hospital, operations etc...

If you don't pay, you don't have healthcare coverage. Educate yourself on what the Affordable Care Act means (aka Obamacare) - once you marry you may be abel to be added to your hisband's work coverage or you may have to pay for your own through your employer or through a healthcare exchange.

I am sorry if I post this on a wrong section but I am just confused.

Can anybody shed some lights please?

I was asking my fiance' how much the monthly fee for State Medical Plan or MSP (Medical Service Plan) as we call it here in BC. He said, his company is deducting around $180 monthly form his pay cheque. I told him that is different from MSP. I told him the fee you are paying the government, not an insurance company. Though we both are talking in Filipino, I feel that I am an alien talking but with him not understanding anything.

I told him, what his company is deducting from him is what we call that Extended health here. And why is it that expensive for such extended health? Is this normal?

sorry if my question sounds stupid..

[charmed2006 31]

thank you both for your answers

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

The entire US healthcare system is like when you get benefits and go to the dentist. You pay for your benefits up front and have a lower co-pay fee once you get there. There is no total "I do not pay anything anymore" healthcare plans like in Canada. It can be cheaper, it can be more expensive (usually this one) depending on what your needs and benefits are.