heath ins USA vs CANADA

[firecatguy]

i like a little input as our pres elect is pushing for all Americans to have heath ins i heard that its not the way to go from a few canadians. I know that America likes to pay for everyone but the white sgl guy and Ive seen my money bail enuff bad housing markets bad loans,lage corporations that rip the public off and now the good ol USA like me to start paying for the bum down the block who HAS NOT WORKED IN 10 YEARS and has no plan of working"especially if you don't have to worry about heath care"

SO HOW DOES THE FREE HEATH CARE WORK FOR ALL YOU IN CANADA!!

 

[x-guy]

what do you pay for medicare down there? its not free, we still pay monthly premiums unless you make under a certain amount of money. For me, my wife, and my son, I pay $108.00/month, that dosnt include extended coverage such as prescriptions, eyecare etc. thats above and beyond.

If I had my choice, I would abolish public health, then again I am a guy that believes in working for your living, and that the strong survive and the weak don't, just as nature intended.

In the end our public health care will not be sustainable, too many people are taking advantage, going to the doctos when they sneeze, or cough from a common cold and its costing us through the roof, 25 years from now, we will be the same as you I am betting.

 

[firecatguy]

i not sure of the exact numbers but i think "sgl no medical prob or past probs" I'm paying somewhere between 400 and 500$ a month"keeps going up"
and i have a 20 copay I will say that the amount that's covered seems to drop every year and price goes up.

well i guess we already are paying in a way thru WELFARE

 

[somedude]

well i would say that it works great cost me $60 per month
i have had broken bones and gaping wounds, got treated in resonable amount of time,
and didn't have any bills afterward. I also know people who have had major life
threatning ailments and they where also taken care of very well.

imo health care is essential like the fire department or the police, do you get bill from the fire department when they but out your house fire or the police when you use their services? as for the poor or homeless bums well it would be imoral to just let them die
cause they have no money for health care governments take enough of our money to pay for all this

socialized health care just elliminates one middle man insurance companys who make profit off of your essential service

 

[jsledder]

i not sure of the exact numbers but i think "sgl no medical prob or past probs" I'm paying somewhere between 400 and 500$ a month"keeps going up"
and i have a 20 copay I will say that the amount that's covered seems to drop every year and price goes up.

well i guess we already are paying in a way thru WELFARE

My wife is one of those "National Healthcare" advocates, when I ask her how they are going to fund it I get "I don't know, let them figure it out". Typical Crat. Something has to be done though, too many families are going without and end up filing bankruptcy and that isn't good for either side. It simply costs too much to live these days compared to the amount of money the majority of people are bringing home.

I'm right along with you in paying about $500/mo for my family, not including eyes, dental, scripts. And, they are raising rates. My house payment is becoming my least expensive payment.

 

[firecatguy]

my wife is one of those "national healthcare" advocates, when i ask her how they are going to fund it i get "i don't know, let them figure it out". Typical crat. Something has to be done though, too many families are going without and end up filing bankruptcy and that isn't good for either side. It simply costs too much to live these days compared to the amount of money the majority of people are bringing home.

I'm right along with you in paying about $500/mo for my family, not including eyes, dental, scripts. And, they are raising rates. My house payment is becoming my least expensive payment.

heeeeelllllp!lol

 

[SAWYER]

I don't go to the doctor. Waste of time and money. Stitch myself, straighten broken toes or fingers. If i'm sick, let it run it's course.

 

[Rubberdown!]

I pay $193.50 every 3 months for coverage, not dental, but in January 09, Albertans won't have to pay anymore....cuz we gots oil we sell to you for CHEAP!!!!!!

 

[J-Roc]

REALLY? INTERESTING..... I was not aware of this!

SWEEET! 44 bucks a month less!

 

[ruffryder]

I don't go to the doctor. Waste of time and money. Stitch myself, straighten broken toes or fingers. If i'm sick, let it run it's course.

Are you Chuck Norris' alter ego?

 

[milehighassassin]

I am split on this. I have Canadian friends that wouldn't have it any other way. Their typical response: "Do you REALLY trust your life in the hands of an insurance company?"

I heard a stat, I have no idea if it is true. The money that insurance companies pay to PROCESS insurance claims would pay for an entire system in the U.S.

BTW... I have been paying $120 a month for as long as I can remember.

 

[trikerider]

I don't go to the doctor. Waste of time and money. Stitch myself, straighten broken toes or fingers. If i'm sick, let it run it's course.

I feel you should have a physical every year, it just saved my life, the doc found I had cancer.

 

[firecatguy]

I am split on this. I have Canadian friends that wouldn't have it any other way. Their typical response: "Do you REALLY trust your life in the hands of an insurance company?"

I heard a stat, I have no idea if it is true. The money that insurance companies pay to PROCESS insurance claims would pay for an entire system in the U.S.

BTW... I have been paying $120 a month for as long as I can remember.

were do i sign up Im sgl with no kids and i pay 400 too 500 a month

 

[milehighassassin]

were do i sign up Im sgl with no kids and i pay 400 too 500 a month

http://www.vailresorts.com

 

[XC700116]

That's a really sticky one, no easy answer as with most issues.

I am a free market capitalist and I believe it works, however we don't have a 100% free market.

I know I could get my own insurance w/better coverage for less than I and my employer pay. However, If there is any loophole for getting out of Medical bills it throws the whole free market approach out the window.

I'm single and pay about 150 a month to get coverage through my employer. I can't complain it's good coverage for Med, Dental, and Vision but I know I could do better because my employer drops a ton of money on our Ins.

At this point I think that Socialized medicine could be good, if our govt could run it correctly since we are already pretty much doing it for anybody that is uninsured as the ER cannot turn you away. BUT That is like saying I'm going to build a rocket in my garage and go to Mars.

Anyone that has had to deal wtih the VA can attest to the fact that the administration is the worst part and Many good Docs get sick of it and leave to private practice. Imagine that on a national scale providing for 300 million people. It's a catch 22

 

[go high fast]

If you have access to an employer plan as an employee this is usually an attractive option from the perspective of affordable monthly premiums since most employers still provide a strong contribution (75% to 100%) to the employee cost. Dependents of employees are usually better off pursuing Individual coverage since most employers contribute nothing towards the incremental cost of covering spouse and child.

Group plans for employees also have some disadvantages. When your employment terminates your coverage is toast. In some cases you may have the option to continue on the group plan at your own expense through COBRA but this is only good for up to 18 months and is usually a costly way to go. Moving to another employer will usually require you to satisfy a New Hire Waiting Period before becoming effective on the group health plan.

For dependents of employees or for those folks who do not have access to an employer plan and if your are "insurable", meaning your medical history is favorable, the very most afforadable way to go is with an Individual Plan that is defined as a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). These plans offer affordable monthly premiums through a high deductible up front with coverage typically at 100% after the deductible meaning your maximum out of pocket amount is the same as your deductible. They do not provide dental and/or vision. Premiums are low for the young and increase as you become a dinosaur in either 5 or 10 year age bands.

SOME COMPANIES ALLOW YOU UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES TO TRANSFER FROM A HIGH COST INDIVIDUAL PLAN TO THE MORE AFFORDABLE HDHP PLANS ON A GUARANTEE ISSUE BASIS. DEDUCTIBLE CREDIT NOT OFFERED IN ALL CASES OF TRANSFER WHEN TRANSFER IS IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR BENEFIT YEAR.

HDHP plans are compatible with Health Savings Accounts (HSA) which allow you to make tax deductible contributions to your own HSA. When you have medical expenses that remain your responsibility because of the high deductible on the medical plan (or dental or vision expenses) you basically reimuburse yourself out of you own HSA. If you're inclined to really get into HSA stuff go visit hsainsider.com and download the HSA Roadrules for Individual Plans.

Find an Individual Plan that will not terminate if you move to another state. You dont want to have to prove your insurability all over again especially if your medical history has changed.....this could be problematic.

AFLAC type accident plans are a waist of money. Avoid Individual health insurance plans that have deductible on a "per incident" basis. You want at least a 1 million dollar lifetime maximum benefit.

If you are not insurable and do not have access to a group plan (group plans are "guarantee issue") then you could find yourself in a tough situation. Some states have programs that will cover you if you are uninsurable and have no access to group coverage.

One last item. The cost of healthcare has little to do with insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. That's the same as believeing the US oil companies are responsible for high gas prices.....really absurd.

So what's better........Canada vs. US. No idea.