US medical costs

Soutra said:
If it's non emergency treatment in the US then you can get quotes for what you want done. Cataract ops are $3k to $5k per eye, depending on whether you have corrective lenses put in. That's pretty much the same as private cataract treatment in the UK. I have no idea why someone would be charged so much unless there were complications aplenty and general anaesthesia was involved for two eyes.

Medical insurance picks up most bills, with a deductible, but it does work well for most people most of the time.

Could it be better? Yes. Would most people in the US want a NHS type system? No.
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You'd have to ask them why and I expect an answer along the lines of 'why should I pay for someone else's treatment' or 'that's socialism'. Completely ignoring the benefits of purchasing power, medical outcomes and removing financial worries and debt burdens for catching a sodding cold.
 
Jonny Ingbar said:
The crazy thing is though is that a significant proportion of that 'spend' is pure unadulterated profit for providers.
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exactly, hence all this talk by some of the Tories about moving to a supposedly "better" model ... what ? one that costs more and puts more money into the pockets of shareholders ? that old "adding value" ? I wouldn't care one jot if my taxes went up, as long as it actually was spent on services and not lining people's pockets.
 
BaronSmoggie said:
You'd have to ask them why and I expect an answer along the lines of 'why should I pay for someone else's treatment' or 'that's socialism'. Completely ignoring the benefits of purchasing power, medical outcomes and removing financial worries and debt burdens for catching a sodding cold.
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The stupid thing is they do pay for other people's treatment ... thats how insurance works
 
Soutra said:
Medical insurance picks up most bills, with a deductible, but it does work well for most people most of the time.
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What about those who can't afford insurance? Correct me of I'm wrong but I understand there are some 20 million people who don't have insurance.
m3t4tr0n said:
The stupid thing is they do pay for other people's treatment ... thats how insurance works
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Yes that's the kicker isn't it? People ignore that their premiums are pooled with everyone else's and that's where the payouts come from when they claim. Other people's money1 And overall it costs a lot more per person.
 
SE4 Red said:
It cost you personally $100k even though you had medical insurance? Wow 😲
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Yep, although as I say that was probably through naivety on my part, and only after talking to US friends do I realize it could probably have cost us less.

To be honest the whole system is a pain to navigate for someone used to the NHS, and a single centralised healthcare provider, even factoring in the private sector for which the NHS is obviously still the primary entry point for referral.

One Saturday afternoon my wound started weeping and so we ran the hospital who seemed bemused as to why we were ringing them as they'd discharged me the day before, and therefore their duty of care was over as soon as our "stay" at the hospital was over, they said to ring your surgeon. We did that but he was not answering (he was playing golf we later found out) and so where do you turn to next ? In the end we ended up going to A&E who redressed my wound, gave me a saline drip and sent me on my way, all for a bargain price of about $1000 or so.
 
BaronSmoggie said:
You'd have to ask them why and I expect an answer along the lines of 'why should I pay for someone else's treatment' or 'that's socialism'. Completely ignoring the benefits of purchasing power, medical outcomes and removing financial worries and debt burdens for catching a sodding cold.
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Precisely. The economies of scale delivered by the NHS, together with the NICE regulatory framework, deliver enormous savings to the UK healthcare system. So much so, that in every discussion about a US-UK trade deal, the priority of the US government is for us to scrap that system so that US pharmaceutical companies can maximise profits.

There have been numerous studies which have concluded the UK system delivers better value for money for patients. The story below refers to one such study, looking at just 50 drugs, which concluded that the NHS (and therefore patients/taxpayers) would have to pay over £5bn more per year if we were paying US drug prices.

www.hospitaltimes.co.uk

Warning over rising drug prices in US/UK trade deal

A new study has revealed that the NHS would spend billions more on drugs if it had to pay US prices following a UK/US trade deal.
www.hospitaltimes.co.uk www.hospitaltimes.co.uk
 
Billy Horner said:
Precisely. The economies of scale delivered by the NHS, together with the NICE regulatory framework, deliver enormous savings to the UK healthcare system. So much so, that in every discussion about a US-UK trade deal, the priority of the US government is for us to scrap that system so that US pharmaceutical companies can maximise profits.

There have been numerous studies which have concluded the UK system delivers better value for money for patients. The story below refers to one such study, looking at just 50 drugs, which concluded that the NHS (and therefore patients/taxpayers) would have to pay over £5bn more per year if we were paying US drug prices.

www.hospitaltimes.co.uk

Warning over rising drug prices in US/UK trade deal

A new study has revealed that the NHS would spend billions more on drugs if it had to pay US prices following a UK/US trade deal.
www.hospitaltimes.co.uk www.hospitaltimes.co.uk
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Yep, exactly this. It frustrates the hell out of me that people have their head in the sand over this. There is a huge US outcry for healthcare for all without for profit insurance companies. They recognise socialised medicine should be a citizen benefit, not in the tertiary sector for profit, which is where they currently have it.

The only way to keep companies in check is through the NHS collective bargaining for reduced pricing. Funny, how thats similar to union collective bargaining for its member. Almost like it works to achieve desired outcomes.
 
Cambsred said:
Its mad that we could consider a model like that cost effective.

I'm sure as taxpayers they pay 14% GDP to healthcare versus our 8% while they then have additional insurance on top.

A lot of people getting rich in that system and none are patients or healthcare professionals.
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A lot of people dumped out of A&E and on to the streets in the dead of the night, or going bankrupt or refusing treatment for curable issues simply because they can't afford health insurance and don't want to go bankrupt
 
I think some countries have insurance based systems that are better than the US so that isn't the only option but the principle of an insurance based system is to stop rich people paying more than their fair share.

Very simplified/quick example of insurance vs taxation funded healthcare:

Insurance Costs per year -
Person 1 - £2k
Person 2 - £2k
Person 3 - £2k
Person 4 - £2k
Person 5 - £2k
Person 6 - £0 (benefits)

Taxation Costs per year -
Person 1 - £4k
Person 2 - £3k
Person 3 - £1.5k
Person 4 - £1k
Person 5 - £0.5k
Person 6 - £0

Both systems bring in the same amount but in the insurance system everyone pays the same whatever their income. Under taxation the richest pay a bigger share. They might all be paying 5% of their income towards healthcare but it's better than the insurance system where the less you earn the bigger the % of your income goes on healthcare. You don't know which person is not going to need healthcare at all and which one is going to need a triple bypass etc. The only thing that is important is bringing in the correct amount to be able to treat everyone that needs to be treated whatever their contribution has been. Taxation is by far the fairest way to fund public services and the only reason it wouldn't raise enough to cover costs is because the tax either isn't high enough or the people that should be paying the most are avoiding it by masking their income through various accounting methods.
 
I haven't had to use my medical insurance yet (taps wood), however, I do have dental insurance which works out to around 8 dollars a month. Pretty much everything is covered 90-100%. My deductible (what I pay until the insurance kicks in) is only 50 dollars. All check-ups, x-rays and cleanings are free. I was a bit nervous going in the first time regarding a crown I needed, and how much I would need to pay, but with a 1,500 dollar maximum and 90% covered, it is extremely cheap to get a load of minor work done. I still have plenty of my maximum to play with if I need to later on in the year. I was seen within 24 hours and there were around 12 dentists to choose from within a 3-mile radius. Insurance is one of the most confusing things here in the US, but what you pay each month, which is like a small tax, and what gets covered, is fantastic.
 
My bill was fully itemised

I only paid the £50 though my trav insurance that’s how I know how much it really would have cost.
 
Making a huge profit out of somebody's ill health. Takes a special kind of person to think that is ethical.

Coming to a country near you very soon.
 
A little while after I first moved to the US I was suffering from lower back pain and booked a visit to my GP. At the end of the visit, my GP asked me to go for an x-ray and some blood work. Still used to the NHS system I asked how long would I receive a letter for an appointment, and she replied "go down to the first floor now and go get them done". Results the next day. I was astonished.

I know the cost is relatively high, but the speed of care, tests and results (and the ability to choose from between providers) my family and I have received since being here has been incredible. (could get that going private in the UK I expect).

It is however such a skewed system for those unable to afford general health care. Having to choose if and when you should visit based on affordability.
 
How is mental health treated in America? i.e. cost of any treatment. I have private health care in the UK via work and it costs me about £40/month and has been amazing for Therapy but also for minor operations which all cost has been covered.

NHS side of things has been hit and miss i.e. 2 year waiting lists and they won't recognise any private treatment.
 
sadgit said:
How is mental health treated in America?
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first port of call is that they usually prescribe you drugs to control any mental health issues, but then the doctors who prescribe the drugs get a kick back for doing so. I know a few people who were having a difficult time and all got prescribed drugs
 
Nano said:
Insurance Costs per year -
Person 1 - £2.25k
Person 2 - £2.25k
Person 3 - £2.25k
Person 4 - £2.25k
Person 5 - £2.25k
Person 6 - £0 (benefits)
TOTAL:11.25k
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Nano said:
Taxation Costs per year -
Person 1 - £4k
Person 2 - £3k
Person 3 - £1.5k
Person 4 - £1k
Person 5 - £0.5k
Person 6 - £0
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TOTAL: 10k

you need to add in corporate profit margins for investors/shareholders in your insurance model
 
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