Insurance is SO Expensive!

[Marilyn]

Originally Posted by highlans

We pay a national insurance a percentage of wages for our health care on hubby's wage it works out about 400 uk pounds per month. We have long waiting lists for hospital but so far we have never had problems with this. But more and more people are paying private.

Wow, 400 Brittish pounds per month is a lot. That's $782 US. That's $9,384 US per year!! And we are being told that you have low cost national healthcare. Do you pay anything at all when you go to the doctor or hospital?? We have lower annual premiums for our private insurance, but it pays about 60 to 80% of the bill and we pay the rest. Sometimes emergency care and some tests are covered at 100%. After our deductable of course.

[Janet]

This is really interesting, I can't wait to hear more.

[highlans]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

Wow, 400 Brittish pounds per month is a lot. That's $782 US. That's $9,384 US per year!! And we are being told that you have low cost national healthcare. Do you pay anything at all when you go to the doctor or hospital?? We have lower annual premiums for our private insurance, but it pays about 60 to 80% of the bill and we pay the rest. Sometimes emergency care and some tests are covered at 100%. After our deductable of course.

No we do not have to pay the doctor or hospital, if we get a prescription from the dr for drugs then we pay 7 pounds per item no matter what the cost of drugs are.

We used to get dental care under the national health but now more and more dentists are going private so we now pay for that which is expensive, at the moment I am looking in to insurance for that.

400 pound is on my husbands earnings so the more you earn the more you pay. That also will give a small pension at 65 not sure what that is at the moment but do not think any more than 100 pounds per week.

People do complain about our hospitals and doctors but do date I have always been happy with the care provided.

[Marilyn]

Actually, for reasonably healthy middle aged people, I think we probably pay less for healthcare in the US than you do in the UK. If we have some type of minor surgery or something during the year, we probably pay about the same after our deductables and copays. And we don't have the waits that we hear you do to see a doctor or have an operation.

I need carpal tunnel surgery, according to my doctors. If I call for an appointment tomorrow, I will probably get to see a very qualified surgeon of my choosing within a couple of weeks, and the surgery can probably be scheduled within a few days of seeing the doctor. If I use a doctor that is "in network" (on contract with my insurance carrier) the cost will not be very much at all.

If you needed carpal tunnel surgery, what could you expect to have happen in the UK?

By the way, I may actually make that phone call tomorrow just to see how it goes and report back on this thread. We'll see if the senerio described above is actually accurate, and what the cost actually is.

This is very interesting. Thank you for replying, Highlans!! It is wonderful to actually get to communicate with someone who is living with Nationalized Healthcare since they are talking about putting us on a similiar system.

[highlans]

Not sure about carpel surgery but an example I can give is hubby had back pains so went to the GP, was then sent to the hospital consultant for that appointment he waited two months, they decided he needed a hip replacement and that was another two months before there was a bed for him. So from seeing the GP to haveing the opp was around four months. That is good going my sister in law waited 6 months to have hers done. We now have a system that you can see if there is another hospital around the country that can fit you in sooner but think I would rather be local and near family.

[Tiramisu]

After struggling with foot pain for 8 months, I went to my PCP on May 6th. I'm still limping around.

May 7th - Xrays (showed fracture)
May 16th - Podiatrist (cortizone injection)
June 6th - Podiatrist (cortizone injection)
June 11th - PCP
June 12th - CT Scan
June 27th - Podiatrist (to schedule surgery)

Last Friday, the Podiatrist was to schedule surgery for this week. He wanted to wait another month or two, but I told him I want it done now. It's midday Tuesday and I've heard nothing. Of course, since it's a holiday week, I didn't expect it to be this week. It will probably be his way - another month or two.

He admitted that the injections are just prolonging the inevitable. Meanwhile, I can't ride my bike, take my g-kids to the zoo or park, or do much extended walking. In this case, I honestly think he makes more from my office visits than surgery, so he's "stringing" me out as long as he can. (Probably $300 from an office visit and $1500 for surgery.)

I'm so very aggravated with it. I even told him that now would be a good time for me to be off work, as my two g-daughters want to come sit with me and my Mom (when she comes home).

[Lindsey]

Oh my gosh my jaw hit the floor when I read through this thread! I knew that insurance in the states was expensive, and actually is one of my biggest concerns about moving there. I didn't know it was THAT expensive though! Here, medical is free. Doctors are paid by the government. No matter who you are or how much money you make, as long as you have a government issued health card (which every resident gets) then you can see a doctor free of charge, and if you are referred to a specialist, it is also free of charge. My health plan through work covers 80% of prescriptions, 80% of eye care I believe, and 100% of dental. I just figured out what I pay yearly and it's $873.12.

[Marilyn]

I haven't called to make that appointment yet, but after the holiday weekend, will try and see what happens.

Sandy, your situation sounds bad, so frustrating. I think we would get faster attention with the doctors around here. I can't remember ever being in a situation as you describe.

Lindsey, your annual cost is much lower than in England. I thought y'all were on the same system. So confusing!!

I have to go to a doctor in Houston tomorrow about something else. I really don't want to drive there right now. Not sure, but I may call and try to reschedule.

[highlans]

Its just great what you can find out on this site.

I would be interested to know how university works in other countries?.
Up untill about six years ago tuition fees were free here and all we had to pay was accommodation, food and personal spending. Now it is approx three and a half thousand pounds per year and the average course lasts three years plus accommodation ect.
My daughter went through uni eight years ago so had no tuition fee to pay for her but my son starts in september so have to pay.
However if you live in scotland you do not pay tuition fee I feel is unfare should be accross the whole country.
You can get a goverment loan just for tuition fee's and that does not have to be paid back untill you finish uni and are earning over £15000.