Health Insurance

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

That is really terrible Lionking, I cannot believe that you basically can't get access to healthcare. Living in the UK ( and Europe generally) we just take free universal healthcare for granted. I just hope you are able to find a private healthcare provider. This system is just prehistoric, it is unbelievable that a Nation such as the USA does not look after its citizens needs. I am truly appalled. I knew a little bit about it but hadn't quite realised the extent of the problem. It is shocking and quite unacceptable. Maybe I wasn't completely wrong about a new revolution. It sounds as though a radical change is very much needed whatever for it takes.
I am really sorry for all of you who can't get or can't afford the health care they need .

Though healthcare is expensive, it is offered through every employer that I know about.

Our system may seem archaic to you, but I believe that I pay far too much in government taxes for mismanaged programs and I would like to NOT add my healthcare to that list.

My DH has family in Germany and there are so many ills born of socialized medicine.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

Once again, thank you for all the really helpful replies from everyone. I like to do my homework and don't want to move all the way to Maine to find out I love the place but can't afford to have a cold !

Nobody likes paying taxes but I believe they are a necessary evil which makes for a fairer society and provides the most vulnerable with crucial things like health coverage, education etc... and the social "net" as we call it protects those who need it the most as well as everyone else.

It sounds as though Canada is definitely a more viable option for us. We are not really thinking of immigrating as such but fancied a change of scenery and would quite like 3 or 4 years out of the UK.

I do hope the American government "sees the light" though ( fat chance I hear you say ! ) and starts providing its citizens with decent access to basic things like a free medical system , free education and paid leave. You work longer hours and get less for it. Doesn't seem right.

Maine will still be on our favourite places to visit though, and we are already planning a "fix" for next year. The US dollar is pretty advantageous for us over here at the moment so expect an influx of tourists!
I have a particular fondness for Belfast which I loved. I couldn't really explain why, it felt like such a nice place, not as touristy and over-prettified as Camden, more real somehow, with a nice sense of community and we met some really lovely people too .
Anyway thank you to you guys out there, some really helpful and honest comments and much appreciated.

Good luck with getting the government you deserve !

LOl.. our healthcare began to get more expensive when a president's wife mentioned a possible socialized system. We are already paying exorbinant taxes. In a democratic republic we should not have to be subjected to socialized medicine.. from what I hear from DH's family, their tax rate is anywhre between 60 and % with lng waits to see doctor's (sometimes months) and substandard care.

Sorry, governmental interference is a hot button for me. I love Maine and think if you choose to make your home there that you will not regret it.

I like forest pay the same for my health care regardless of location. However, mine is employer based so if DH loses his job...well...

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by CityKitty

Hi there,
Can you please tell me what the trade-offs really are? Why is it really worth all the hard work to live in Maine? I was really considering moving there and now hearing about the terribly high cost of health insurance, I'm thinking maybe it's not such a great idea - mainly because I want to try to start my own little business, and would have to pay my own insurance all the way. Thanks much!

CityKitty -- I have no insurance here and it is no different than everywhere else I have lived in the last 30+ years, so I don't even think about it. Whether I have been self-employed or working for small or large employers, the cost to me has been far more than the benefit I would get out of it.

I am here because this is where I want to be. I have found a place with friendly folk, affordable land, lots of empty places and enough amenities and consider it worth it. Your mileage may vary.

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by starwalker

CityKitty -- I have no insurance here and it is no different than everywhere else I have lived in the last 30+ years, so I don't even think about it. Whether I have been self-employed or working for small or large employers, the cost to me has been far more than the benefit I would get out of it.

I am here because this is where I want to be. I have found a place with friendly folk, affordable land, lots of empty places and enough amenities and consider it worth it. Your mileage may vary.

Very well said.. tried to rep you, but have to spread it around!

[dmyankee]

" I do hope the American government "sees the light" though ( fat chance I hear you say ! ) and starts providing its citizens with decent access to basic things like a free medical system , free education and paid leave. You work longer hours and get less for it. Doesn't seem right."

I don't want to be more like our friends in Europe.

If you want to send a message, drop your insurance. Every time you visit the Doctor or Dentist, Plunk down a $20 bill and tell 'em, "This is all a filling/visit is worth now." The trickle up effect will be mind blowing.

[ILUVMAINE]

If you want to send a message, drop your insurance. Every time you visit the Doctor or Dentist, Plunk down a $20 bill and tell 'em, "This is all a filling/visit is worth now." The trickle up effect will be mind blowing.[/quote]

Won't work for me! The dentist AND doctor make a patient paid up front. Even before we get back to see the doctor, they've got their hand out!

Be extremely careful about "inexpensive" health insurance. My previous employer change to a company and the premiums are about 1/3 of what they were before. Now, the insuree has a $2,500 deductible! OMG, I have to get $2,500 worth of prescriptions before they pay a red cent. SO, if you are shopping around after you move over AND you get a personal policy instead of going through the employers plan BEWARE of what the "total" cost are.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by ILUVMAINE

Be extremely careful about "inexpensive" health insurance. My previous employer change to a company and the premiums are about 1/3 of what they were before. Now, the insuree has a $2,500 deductible! OMG, I have to get $2,500 worth of prescriptions before they pay a red cent. SO, if you are shopping around after you move over AND you get a personal policy instead of going through the employers plan BEWARE of what the "total" cost are.

I don't think that's [usually] the way it works. Prescriptions should be different, and not calculated to be covered after the deductible amount is reached.

If you are still using this plan, you should get someone who understands the jibber-jabber and small print to clarify it for you.

[Valkyr47]

Well considering that healthcare is a priveledge and NOT a right, I dont see the argument for universal care, especially here in America. As a matter of fact i would consider universal care nothing more than an additional layer of wealth redistribution and socialism, which is not a good thing IMO

I wouldnt worry about it honestly, any decent job will net you a chance at a healthcare plan that while not cheap, is worth the money. Do my wife and I like paying 450 a month for a plan? no, but we do because for the birth of our child we only paid 500 out of a 10000 bill, and we get care fast every time

i heard the waits in europe for non emergency care is not so great, that must suck

[corgis]

You only have to pay $450. a month for health insurance for your entire family? What a bargain you got through your employer.

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by ILUVMAINE

If you want to send a message, drop your insurance. Every time you visit the Doctor or Dentist, Plunk down a $20 bill and tell 'em, "This is all a filling/visit is worth now." The trickle up effect will be mind blowing.

Won't work for me! The dentist AND doctor make a patient paid up front. Even before we get back to see the doctor, they've got their hand out!

Be extremely careful about "inexpensive" health insurance. My previous employer change to a company and the premiums are about 1/3 of what they were before. Now, the insuree has a $2,500 deductible! OMG, I have to get $2,500 worth of prescriptions before they pay a red cent. SO, if you are shopping around after you move over AND you get a personal policy instead of going through the employers plan BEWARE of what the "total" cost are.[/quote]


There are plenty of families up here paying outrageous premiums with a $5k co-pay. The basic plan is for catastrophic insurance basically.