Colorado vs. Massachusetts

[Jozeph]

Oh, I didn't take distances into consideration, something to think about for sure ...

So I guess if I were to move to Pueblo, I would be in big trouble if I have a medical emergency and need to go all the way to Denver Metro (or Colorado Springs?) to see help.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Jozeph

Oh, I didn't take distances into consideration, something to think about for sure ...

So I guess if I were to move to Pueblo, I would be in big trouble if I have a medical emergency and need to go all the way to Denver Metro (or Colorado Springs?) to see help.

There are plenty of decent health care facilities in Pueblo. What we're talking about here is the cutting edge stuff.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by Jozeph

Oh, I didn't take distances into consideration, something to think about for sure ...

So I guess if I were to move to Pueblo, I would be in big trouble if I have a medical emergency and need to go all the way to Denver Metro (or Colorado Springs?) to see help.

I need to apologize, I should have said Level 1, vs. Tier 1 when I was talking about types of emergency care for trauma care available at hospitals.

This defines these definitions

Trauma Center Levels Explained - American Trauma Society

The largest cities will have level I but some smaller cities may not have trauma care at that level. That does not mean there is sub care in Pueblo. Pueblo has good to excellent medical care but does not have Level I trauma. In those cases of trauma, which are not so prevalent, then you would be transferred to a Level 1 care center. Do not fear, in a level II facilities, you will get excellent care and be stabilized so you can survive for transport to Level I if you need more complicated treatment and surgery.

I believe the highest level of care in Pueblo is at Parkview Medical Center which is level II.

Denver being the largest city has multiple hospital at Level 1. I believe that is Swedish, Denver Health and St. Anthony's in Lakewood. However, that does not mean is most traumas you will be transported to these facilities.

Also, when I am talking about taking health risk with distances from medical care for emergencies, I am really talking about very rural areas of the plains and the mountains.

Personally, I would prefer to live in area that does have a Level 1 nearby, so the Denver metro area is my choice for the best healthcare in every situation. I am also a disabled veteran so a large Veteran Hospital is important to me. Also I am a disabled senior on Medicare and unfortunately I have developed many medical problems and I need to see specialists and have testing regularly, So, near a big city is better for me.

I never understand how people as they decide to retire in remote mountain towns. They will be faced with long travel to specialist and testing facilities because assuredly they will need more care as they get older. Also there is long distances to just basic emergency care.

Some believe that a helicopter can pick them up quickly in an emergency and that the distances down mountain roads are easy. However, that is not always the case with weather conditions and road travel down mountain roads is not the same distance for time as travel near the metro area. In many emergencies time is the most important factor to the emergency room if you are going to survive.

It is all what the level of comfort you desire and your healthcare needs--it is your choice. I am just giving you information and my opinion. However, I would not rule out Pueblo; I find it to be a very nice city and I think it can be a very good place to live and to retire.

Livecontent

[Jozeph]

Thank you for the detailed explanations, plus the link.

I also feel the same about living close to a well-equipped hospital, just in case if something happens.

And I am sorry that you are having some health issues; I hope you will get better, or feel better ...

Thank you, guys!

[Jozeph]

By the way, what do you guys think it's going to happen to the average health care premium, next year? Maybe I should create a new thread for this topic ...

[livecontent]

Companies play the shell game and know that many just look at the monthly premiums; knowing that many do not bother to read the plan, You cannot just look at the premium. You must also look what care is added and/or subtracted from the plan with also looking at the threshold for your out of pocket expenses where you cost is minimized.

Livecontent

[Jozeph]

Thank you for the explanation!

[Cloudship]

Everything is a trade off. You balance how much risk you are willing to take.

Healthcare is also not a one on one comparison. Colorado does very well when it comes to injuries. My brother was in a pretty bad hiking accident, the level of care he got at St. Anthony's was far better than anything he would have gotten here. On the other hand, I would far prefer Dana Farber if I had some kind of cancer.

Or are you talking about health care coverage? Again that depends. Do you work for a company that has good offerings, or do you have to pick off of the list? What kind of coverage are you looking for, and how high a risk are you?