Does anyone know USA medical costs?

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crankcall said:
I like the Cdn system, it also has challenges and I know people that have gone to the US for MRI and ultrasound to get faster turnarounds. But if you are at need you will get looked after in a Canadian hospital, you may sleep in the hallway for two days before they find you a bed, but you'll get looked after.
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Yeah, that's my general feeling. People complain about waiting in ER, but if you're truly sick and need assistance, you'll get it immediately. I suppose the difference is, in the States, if you can afford it, you get better, faster care. On the whole, as long as costs don't go crazy, I would prefer that everyone gets equal healthcare. It would be nice to be able to get better care if you could afford it though.
 
fastar1 said:
Isn't that just semantics?
I don't think anyone is so out of touch to believe that they aren't actually paying for health care. That's not what they mean when they say it's free, they just mean they're not paying for it at the time of need and all the implications that brings with it.
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I'm not so sure..to a lot of people, if they aren't putting it on their Visa card, they didn't pay for it. It's like people who buy things based on monthly payment..I really don't think they understand total cost. You may be right..but I think people don't get that $5k of their money goes away to OHIP. If you offered them that $5k back..they might understand. Of course, they'd likely just blow it on a lease for a fancier car and then complain about having to pay for healthcare out of their pocket.. :-)
 
crankcall said:
commenting on a few fronts, C-section is very popular but has some implications, they essentially cut thru the stomach muscles, recovery takes some time. Doctors love it for the convenience.

I like the Cdn system, it also has challenges and I know people that have gone to the US for MRI and ultrasound to get faster turnarounds. But if you are at need you will get looked after in a Canadian hospital, you may sleep in the hallway for two days before they find you a bed, but you'll get looked after.
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You will get those right away if you need them, since my skull was cracked I got CT, MRI, Ultrasound, all right away....And for $20 I got 6 CD's with all of them on them....

Yeah I pay taxs so technically its not free, but when **** hits the fan and you need serious surgery like I did, its worth it...There was some mistakes at the hospital, but all in all they fixed me and kept me alive. I never used to think this way, but after actually needed that kind of help and getting it, I have a new appreciation for our health care system.
 
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invictus43 said:
Yeah, that's my general feeling. People complain about waiting in ER, but if you're truly sick and need assistance, you'll get it immediately. I suppose the difference is, in the States, if you can afford it, you get better, faster care. On the whole, as long as costs don't go crazy, I would prefer that everyone gets equal healthcare. It would be nice to be able to get better care if you could afford it though.
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I preferred the USA system. I'd walk in to a medical office and show my insurance card and get taken care off quickly. That way I could get back to my job. The system here is over burdened by people that don't need urgent care and have nothing better to do than wait in Urgent care. There should really be a penalty for misuse.....say $50. Or a two tiered system so the people with jobs get taken care of quick with all things being equal.
When I was in Montreal the average wait time was 16 hours. The worst hospital was 32 hours. People dying waiting happened every few months. Thankfully in Ontario it's better.
 
I learned to appreciate our health care system in my teens, I was a passenger in a car accident when I was 15 and spent a week in the hospital and then a few years later I spent a week in the hospital for my appendix - which first involved being admitted over night and then being sent home because they couldn't diagnose the issue (pain was not in the usual spot) only to go back the next day... both stays would have cost about 250,000 or more in the usa, and I'd hate to think what it would cost now with inflation.
 
murf said:
I preferred the USA system. I'd walk in to a medical office and show my insurance card and get taken care off quickly. That way I could get back to my job. The system here is over burdened by people that don't need urgent care and have nothing better to do than wait in Urgent care. There should really be a penalty for misuse.....say $50. Or a two tiered system so the people with jobs get taken care of quick with all things being equal.
When I was in Montreal the average wait time was 16 hours. The worst hospital was 32 hours. People dying waiting happened every few months. Thankfully in Ontario it's better.
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Some hospitals have started putting 24/7 walk in clinics beside the ER. Many people don't have a doctor so their only choice is walk in clinics (sadly the ones in belleville have horrible hours) or the er.
 
murf said:
The system here is over burdened by people that don't need urgent care and have nothing better to do than wait in Urgent care. There should really be a penalty for misuse.....say $50.
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I used to work in a hospital as a housekeeper. Had to have a stomach for the work but the pay was great for a studend (18/hr). One day I was working emerg when a trama came in.. the kind that requires everyone and anyone to pitch in. So basically it was me and one admin chic not in the room. Theres a tv showing the waiting room and we watched as this ******* marches in and up to the triage phone. Admin picks up and basically the guy demands to be seen. Its explained that everyone is busy with a trama. He walks two laps of the waiting room and comes up to the phone again (waiting room is empty) and again it is explained. He did this for ten min until the trama patient died when admin went and thanked him for being so patient as they took care of the person who passed away.
They definately need to charge people for coming to emerg instead of a clinic.

CruisnGrrl said:
Some hospitals have started putting 24/7 walk in clinics beside the ER. Many people don't have a doctor so their only choice is walk in clinics (sadly the ones in belleville have horrible hours) or the er.
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We need more clinics. Heck we need more doctors. I would over hear some of what the patients got told (rooms are tiny and open doors) and many would get told there was nothing can be done, go pick up cold/flu meds and go home to rest.
 
It would be good if we paid our general practioners more.

Because they really don't get paid that much relative to how much school /debt they accumulate.

Our brightest students go study in the US and they would never come back because our salaries wouldn't even support the interest on ther loans.
 
nobbie48 said:
Do I understand correctly?

You pay $3564 in premiums + the first $5K + a percent of the rest?

The first $8564 comes out of your pocket before the insurer dips into his? Then it's shared 40/60?

Assuming an $80K hospital stay, how much would your bank account see as a hit?
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You got it exactly right. If the bill was $80K, I would pay the first $5K as deductible, then I would be responsible for 40% of the remaining $75K, or $30K. So of the $80K bill I would be paying $35K and the insurance company would pay $40K.

Great system huh!
 
murf said:
I preferred the USA system. I'd walk in to a medical office and show my insurance card and get taken care off quickly. That way I could get back to my job. The system here is over burdened by people that don't need urgent care and have nothing better to do than wait in Urgent care. There should really be a penalty for misuse.....say $50. Or a two tiered system so the people with jobs get taken care of quick with all things being equal.
When I was in Montreal the average wait time was 16 hours. The worst hospital was 32 hours. People dying waiting happened every few months. Thankfully in Ontario it's better.
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Well they certainly like their tow-tier system in England.

[video=youtube;-NY5HNMCgFg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NY5HNMCgFg[/video]
 
revrandy said:
You got it exactly right. If the bill was $80K, I would pay the first $5K as deductible, then I would be responsible for 40% of the remaining $75K, or $30K. So of the $80K bill I would be paying $35K and the insurance company would pay $40K.

Great system huh!
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Is that typical? or through your employer? can you get insurance in the states where you just pay a premium + deductable and then the insurance company gets 100 % of the rest?

Just wondering if you can put in a few more details.
 
revrandy said:
You got it exactly right. If the bill was $80K, I would pay the first $5K as deductible, then I would be responsible for 40% of the remaining $75K, or $30K. So of the $80K bill I would be paying $35K and the insurance company would pay $40K.

Great system huh!
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That blows.... I am trying to get to the states and this is my #1 fear....
Is this a low, mid or high end insurance option?

Heck I am thinking of stocking up on meds here and start taking them when I get down there. Already been doing that with one med.
One thing I am worried about and have heard rumours is some insurance companies refusing to cover birth control due to the religious debate on it.
 
OpenGambit said:
Is that typical? or through your employer? can you get insurance in the states where you just pay a premium + deductable and then the insurance company gets 100 % of the rest?

Just wondering if you can put in a few more details.
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I'm sure you can purchase whatever you want..it will affect your premium though. Your employer might choose to give you a certain level but that doesn't prevent you from increasing your coverage if you choose to.
 
I am sure you can too, I was really trying to get at the question of how much that would be.
 
revrandy said:
You got it exactly right. If the bill was $80K, I would pay the first $5K as deductible, then I would be responsible for 40% of the remaining $75K, or $30K. So of the $80K bill I would be paying $35K and the insurance company would pay $40K.

Great system huh!
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Math error? The insurer would pay $45K and if you considered your premiums ($3564) you would have a total yearly outlay of $38564.00 for a year with a big medical event. Are there decent interest rates on the outstanding tab or is that a second attack?

What's it cost for a child birth? If it's that expensive maybe that explains their immigration policies. It's cheaper to import. Attention Wal-Mart shoppers. In aisle three we have a special on babies in most shapes, sizes and colours. Pay on your Wal-Mart card and receive a free gift basket.
 
OpenGambit said:
I am sure you can too, I was really trying to get at the question of how much that would be.
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If my deductible was lowered to ~$2,500 and the co-pay portion was dropped to 25 or 30%, the premium per month went from $297 to between $800 and $1200. It was recommended to me not to pay the extra because if I had a major expense and was stuck with a bill in the tens of thousands, just do like the rest of the American's do - file for bankruptcy. Yup, that was the advice given to me by both the agent and a lawyer.

I repeat, their system is broken.
 
revrandy said:
just do like the rest of the American's do - file for bankruptcy. Yup, that was the advice given to me by both the agent and a lawyer.
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Wow... filing for bankruptcy though is a long term hinderance on your future. Unable to get a loan of any kind for up to 10 years depending on where you are. But then if can take forever to pay off. Yeah I can see how that would be a worthwhile option.
 
revrandy said:
If my deductible was lowered to ~$2,500 and the co-pay portion was dropped to 25 or 30%, the premium per month went from $297 to between $800 and $1200. It was recommended to me not to pay the extra because if I had a major expense and was stuck with a bill in the tens of thousands, just do like the rest of the American's do - file for bankruptcy. Yup, that was the advice given to me by both the agent and a lawyer.

I repeat, their system is broken.
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When I was in Detroit I didn't pay dime and had the best coverage I could imagine. I had an offer in silicone valley last year and the company would pay $1300 a month to cover my family and I would pay $250. I think it was only $10 per doctor visit and perscription. Deductibles for surgery were only $1000 per surgery up to $2000 or $3000 max per year for the family. Pretty good I think.
 
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