Moving to America would be a great idea...

[UKRay]

...but what happens if I get sick?

The time has almost come to bite the bullet. I have finally found a property I really like (and can afford) in the Smokey Mountains, I'm right on the edge of putting my house on the market and I'm getting mentally prepared to pack up my workshop and move halfway round the world (okay, maybe not halfway but you know what I mean...).

There are all kinds of reasons why this would be a great idea and almost the same number that make me think I should sit tight and wait a while. One of the biggest worries I have is that, being here in the UK with free healthcare has made me complacent. I don't understand how healthcare works in the US and I can't get any unbiased information about health care insurance and I'd like to tie this up nice and early.

What is this going to cost for two people and is there any insurance company which would be better than any other? How do things change as you get older - do insurance costs rise? What are the implications of not having insurance? - Do you simply not get treated? - Suppose you don't have any money (not in my plans, but hey, who knows what might happen in this crazy world)?

This is a very real issue and I'd appreciate some genuine advice. Thanks guys.

[esantoro]

Perhaps my input here is biased, since I am very critical of health services in the U.S. The "care" in health care is a misnomer, and it should be called instead "health business", as that is what it is, a business that is set up to make the most profits and pay out the least in services. Many private health care providers will turn older people away as they are a greater risk.

My guess is that to insure two people over the age of 50 will cost $1000 or more a month, and then you may still have a yearly deductible of around $2500 or more.

Insurance companies vary by geography and local and state guidelines.

I know that many people wait until they have to go to the emergency room, because supposedly they cannot be turned away in the event of an emergency. Though the hospital will try to collect payment for such services, perhaps there are some limits to their ability to actually collect.

I may be naive in thinking this, but we may be two years away from universal health care in this country.

Though all of Michael Moore's films do go a bit off the edge in their analyses, Moore nonetheless does raise significant points. With that in mind, go see "Sicko". PBS has also put out a good documentary on health care in this "company"... I mean country ("Sick Around America").

If you're interested I can send you these two documentaries.

ed

...but what happens if I get sick?

The time has almost come to bite the bullet. I have finally found a property I really like (and can afford) in the Smokey Mountains, I'm right on the edge of putting my house on the market and I'm getting mentally prepared to pack up my workshop and move halfway round the world (okay, maybe not halfway but you know what I mean...).

There are all kinds of reasons why this would be a great idea and almost the same number that make me think I should sit tight and wait a while. One of the biggest worries I have is that, being here in the UK with free healthcare has made me complacent. I don't understand how healthcare works in the US and I can't get any unbiased information about health care insurance and I'd like to tie this up nice and early.

What is this going to cost for two people and is there any insurance company which would be better than any other? How do things change as you get older - do insurance costs rise? What are the implications of not having insurance? - Do you simply not get treated? - Suppose you don't have any money (not in my plans, but hey, who knows what might happen in this crazy world)?

This is a very real issue and I'd appreciate some genuine advice. Thanks guys.

[Rawhide]

...but what happens if I get sick?

The time has almost come to bite the bullet. I have finally found a property I really like (and can afford) in the Smokey Mountains, I'm right on the edge of putting my house on the market and I'm getting mentally prepared to pack up my workshop and move halfway round the world (okay, maybe not halfway but you know what I mean...).

There are all kinds of reasons why this would be a great idea and almost the same number that make me think I should sit tight and wait a while. One of the biggest worries I have is that, being here in the UK with free healthcare has made me complacent. I don't understand how healthcare works in the US and I can't get any unbiased information about health care insurance and I'd like to tie this up nice and early.

What is this going to cost for two people and is there any insurance company which would be better than any other? How do things change as you get older - do insurance costs rise? What are the implications of not having insurance? - Do you simply not get treated? - Suppose you don't have any money (not in my plans, but hey, who knows what might happen in this crazy world)?

This is a very real issue and I'd appreciate some genuine advice. Thanks guys.

Ray,

For two people, healthcare can be quite expensive. I would estimate about $300-500 ($1000 Ed?, boy I could be way off) a month if you shop around... I'm not sure how things change as you age, but I'm pretty sure there's a threshold for raising and lowering costs. The implications of not having insurance; well I believe it used to be that a person not having insurance was likely to not get treated without proving you could pay somehow...quoting and msn article..."Fortunately, a federal law passed in 1986 to prohibit a practice commonly known as "patient dumping" gives you the right to emergency care regardless of your ability to pay. The federal law applies to hospitals that participate in Medicare -- and that includes most hospitals in the United States. However, the patient-dumping law does not give you carte blanche. In a nutshell, the federal patient-dumping law entitles you to three things: screening, emergency care and appropriate transfers. A hospital must provide "stabilizing care" for a patient with an emergency medical condition. The hospital must screen for the emergency and provide the care without inquiring about your ability to pay. There are some charity hospitals in most metropolitan areas, but generally speaking, you may not receive the best care there. Some others with more knowledge are sure to chime in later...

Edited May 11, 2009 by Rawhide

[wildrose]

I have been "blessed" when it comes to insurance, overall, as either my job or my husband's, or both, have supplied us with insurance. This was done by taking a deduction from our paycheck each pay period. Then, when we went to a doctor (of our choice), we would pay a "copay". With my husband's current job, for example, it costs us 25.00 to see a physician of our choice, and 35.00 for specialists such as an allergist or chiropractor. There is a yearly "cap" on such things as chiropractic care, for example, so if I go very often, then I have to pay for the visits entirely.

Health care often also covers a decent amount of emergency room, hospitalization costs and tests (like MRIs or such). Again, you are paying for this from your own paycheck. If you don't have an employer who provides insurance, work part time or are self employed, you can buy yourself insurance from one of many companies.

I have a few borderline poverty level friends who have no insurance at all. That is a HUGE risk. As was mentioned, you can get ER service with no insurance - they're not allowed to turn you away, I think - but is that fair to those there with REAL emergencies? Not really.

I do think the system needs and overhaul, I won't deny that. But the only time I personally had a problem was when my husband was between jobs and we had to buy "COBRA" - a system that lets you keep your company's insurance briefly, at a higher cost.

I should mention that I have allergies and asthma, my husband has allergies, I have high blood pressure, and he has sleep apnea. So we're needing health care!

[Ian]

Ray, insurance varies from state to state. In Massachusetts anyone earning under 30,00 is covered. Most employers offer health insurance, therefore 260 million people are covered out of 300 million. The majority of people who don't have coverage are self employed, or, like me, working part time and not eligible for coverage from work. With the balance largely made up of illegal immigrants.

If you get old and sick, you are, of course covered by State health insurance. Buying your own insurance is ridiculously high ($450 monthly for a single person, but that varies hugely state to state too) - therefore I don't have it. However, I haven't been to a doctor in 20 years, even when I was covered, and I figure if I get wrecked I am covered somewhat through my auto and motorcycle insurance and no hospital can turn anyone away by law because they are unable to pay.

Even though I don't have insurance, and knock on wood, haven't seen the need to see a doctor, the level of health care in the US is very good. I remember reading someplace that the survival rate for colon cancer in the US is in the 80% range, but in the 40% range in the UK. That will change if universal health care goes into effect with the same long waits for surgery, shortages of doctors and nurses that the rest of the state insured world has.

But having said all that, the Smokey Mountains are about as beautiful an area as any on earth, and the climate is great too. Without making comparrisons to any other country, moving to America was the greatest thing that my parents ever did - I love it here.

You should be able to get insururance rates online. I haven't looked, but I bet Tennessee has a site with links to the info you're looking for.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Ian

[Jordan]

Health cost is a misnomer it should be called insurance costs or legal extorsion by the insurance industry, as they are the ones that profit and dictate health care in this country. As an example Mr. Perot made his gazillions in medical billing the government plans like medicare/caid etc. Most small business owners opt into large pools to afford coverage by an insurance company but it is still very expensive. You should be able to find adequate coverage but it will take a whole lot of investigating to sift through all the plans. I don't envy you on that, the profiteers make it very confusing with a lot of hidden costs and they design most to cover the common cold type stuff, but god forbid you have or develope something serious or long term. As far as the reformers out there not one is willing to address the elephant in the room ie. insurance companies, as either they are owned by them, do not have the political will, or just do not have the cash to fight them. Good Luck in your plans and I think you will not regret moving to the US. I may be biased (lol ya think) but even with all its warts it is still one of the best countries in the world to live in.

[TwinOaks]

Ray, just about all states here in the U.S. provide a state funded mental institution. You'll be just fine.

Small rant:

Even if you can't afford third party medical coverage, there's a good chance you can qualify for medicaid or medicare (State (guv'mint) funded healthcare). I'm thinking a huge percentage of the illegal aliens here in this country are already using it....for free.

[Hilly]

Ray, how well does your healthcare system work over there? Is there a long wait for certain procedures, such as MRI's and other expensive diagnostic procedures? Are people there put on waiting lists to be given cancer treatments and such? I'm just really curious about how other countries work with socialized medicine.

We are supposed to be getting socialized health care here in the U.S., once all the "wonderful, intelligent, caring, human" beings in Washington D.C. figure out how it's done.

From what I hear though, it won't be health care at all, it will be health care rationing, like in other countries. And even if you can afford private health insurance here, the government will dictate the standard by which all privatized health care is to work. So, if I were you, I'd be afraid. I'd be very, very afraid.

[OutBackP]

Nooooooo you can't move just yet! I still haven't popped over for a visit. I'm up to 20 miles on the push bike only another few to go and I'll be round

[TomSwede]

Nooooooo you can't move just yet! I still haven't popped over for a visit. I'm up to 20 miles on the push bike only another few to go and I'll be round

I second that!!! And you have a leathercrafter show to run too;-)

Tom