What are Medical Services Like in Maine?

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by lawmom

I see, it's the Dems fault that health care is where it's at? LOL!

Healthcare is not the dems fault... believing that some one else should cover the cost of your healthcare is most likely the dems fault.

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by glidingdoc

Thank you to all of you who contributed to this discussion. I should explain that I am a Britsh doctor. My wife is American and looking to "import" me. Hence the interest in your medical system.

Maine is of particular interest to me as it seems to be the only State that will accept my British training & registration. I still have to pass the USMLE exams and do a year's residency but, after that, it looks like I can practice in Maine.

I find your State controlled system of Medicine complex and obtuse and have to ask in whose interest it acts. Over here, a doctor qualifying in Scotland, can practice anywhere within the European Union. We couldn't believe reports that Loisiana was refusing help from volunteer doctors following Catrina because they weren't registered in the State.

Why, when you have a shotage of Doctors, do you so severely restrict entry of doctors from overseas? I understand that, in Pennsylvania, medical indemnity insurance costs over $80,000 a year. In neighboring Maryland, the cost is only $15,000. Guess where Doctors are a bit thin on the ground.

The high cost of professional indemnity insurance also cultivates the practice of defensive medicine. Why operate on that particularly difficult cancer if it might tarnish ones success rate? I have also been told that, for a time, it was impossible to find an Obstertrician in California. It just wasn't profitable. The cost of the insurance was more than one could earn!

I certainly have misgivings about practicing medicine in America. Considering your system is in such crisis, I don't understand why the subject isn't being discussed by the Presidential hopefuls.

Anyway, thank you for all your comments & postings. It is an education for me.

Steve

I know in the US we have malpractice suits, even the kindess giving doctors out there, have to fear the possible probability of this against them. Maine has a policy that I learned about in my Medical law class for going after a doctor has to be approved by a judge to go any further. In other states much easier.

I know in Canada, my husband is from there, you can't take your dr to court for millions of dollars. Is that the same in England? or Australia. I know that you, Australia, and Canada share the same type of Insurance set up for doctors to get paid. Many doctors want to come to the US because the money is better for the jobs they do, compared to the "salary type payment" that they receive.
I could be wrong I took this class in 2006.

[RANGER.101ST]

Originally Posted by glidingdoc

Hi,

Does anyone have any information on the health care services in Maine?

Are Primary Care Physicians readily available? How much does your doctor charge for a visit to the surgery?

Do Primary Care Physicians do home visits?

What forms of health insurance work well? Are there any Health insurers that are better avoided? How do you decide on the level of health cover?

Steve. (I am from the United Kingdom so please feel free to state the obvious!!)

you get the best physicians if you have a big wallet.