[lee]

Hi guys,

I'd just like a bit of info regarding health insurance for a new immigrant.

I have been quoted £7,500 ($15,000) by a company in the UK for a quite comprehensive policy which included dental and optical is this a reasonable
quote?

Do'es anyone know of a US company who would quote us prior to our emigration as we will not have a medical history in the States it would make it difficult for them to assess us.

In the UK we have a very good doctor who could give the insurance companies all the info they would require.

By the way the quote was to cover myself and my wife, we are both 50 and I have a minor pre existing condition that was not covered.

I also noticed that people do not seem to have their own GP in the States so if you have a condition that needs monitoring but do'es not require hospital attention how do you get to see a regular doctor?

This is the only thing I will miss from the UK as we have a great doctor and free healthcare is well worth paying the high taxes for but that aside we can't wait to get to th US!

Many Thanks

Lee

[deckardc]

Originally Posted by lee

Hi guys,

I'd just like a bit of info regarding health insurance for a new immigrant.

I have been quoted £7,500 ($15,000) by a company in the UK for a quite comprehensive policy which included dental and optical is this a reasonable
quote?

Do'es anyone know of a US company who would quote us prior to our emigration as we will not have a medical history in the States it would make it difficult for them to assess us.

In the UK we have a very good doctor who could give the insurance companies all the info they would require.

By the way the quote was to cover myself and my wife, we are both 50 and I have a minor pre existing condition that was not covered.

I also noticed that people do not seem to have their own GP in the States so if you have a condition that needs monitoring but do'es not require hospital attention how do you get to see a regular doctor?

This is the only thing I will miss from the UK as we have a great doctor and free healthcare is well worth paying the high taxes for but that aside we can't wait to get to th US!

Many Thanks

Lee

As for private insurance, I don't have many answers as I have insurance through my employer. However, $15,000 seems shockingly high to me. Look on the web at US companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna to see if they offer private insurance plans and call for a quote. A company like Kaiser Permanente may be an option also but they are an HMO (health maintenance organization) which is run a little differently than most private insurance.

If you need to see a Dr. in the US, you just pick one and go. For general health issues most people go to a family practitioner or an internal medicine specialist. If you have a specific need, you see a specialist such as a cardiologist, a gynecologist, an ophthalmologist, a dermatologist, etc. Most people pick one out of the phone book or ask friends who they use. Some insurance companies have a list of providers that they have a contract with and will require you to use one from the list but the decision is still up to you. You pick one and call to make an appointment. If you don't like them, you pick another one until you find one you do like. Once at the Drs. office, you give them your insurance card so they know who to bill and fill out the paperwork regarding your health history. They usually bill insurance up front for you and will send you a bill later for whatever amount insurance doesn't cover. Most insurance companies require an co-payment that you are responsible for paying at the time of your appointment. My co-payment is $20. Recently my daughter went in for a checkup and her 4 year-old immunizations. The pediatrician charged my insurance company $420, of which they paid for all but $8 so the Dr. sent me a bill for $8.

An HMO is managed a bit differently and they will usually require you to go to one of the medical facilities or physicians that they employ and you don't have as much ability to choose a provider for yourself but it is better than no coverage.

Health insurance is a sticky issue in the US. A lot of fully employed people have no coverage at all. Many people here would be happy to have national healthcare but no one wants to pay the higher taxes.

There are plenty of UK expats here, especially in the central Florida area. You should have no trouble fitting in or finding British merchandise.

[SouthernBelle3]

lee
With a preexisting condition, you may not be able to get health insurance. $15,000 is way high but if it pays well it may be worth it if you can afford it. Could you take the high insurance then switch later if you found a better deal? Also, be very careful to only get insurance through a reputable company. Insurance can be a nightmare here.

[lee]

Thanks for the information guys.

It seems our best bet is to take out a policy in the UK and hopefully when are gainfully employed we may get a better deal with a company scheme.

On a brighter note it seems that our property in the UK will be selling for more than twice the price of the property we hope to buy in Naples so that should off set our health care issues in the short term.

Keep up the good work guys , this site has been so helpful to us prior to our relocation.

Many Thanks

Lee

[SouthernBelle3]

If you are able to obtain insurance with your employer, that may be a good bet. There are HMO's that have no preexisting clauses for some policies and if your employer offers it, it would be so much cheaper than finding a policy on your own.