Hi,

what I want to know is.....

Do you have to pay to visit your Doctor ( med.)

and how do you pay the invoice from him, by yourself or is your insurance responsible for it?
I s a insurance a "must" or a "can" in America?

Our Insurances want to save money, so they decided that every Patient who want to talk to his Doctor must pay an "entrance fee" of $10 from January 2004. The rest of the invoice is paid by the insurance

Jens

 

Hmmmn, doesn't sound too bad. Imagine having no insurance.

 

Here in the USA it varies according to the health plan you are on. For my plan I pay $15 for what is called the "co-pay" whenever I visit a Doctor. The remainder of the bill is covered by my health insurance. My prescription pharmacy plan is the same, -I have a $15 co-pay for a months supply.

The Insurance companies like to play "Doctor" and decide what prescriptions I am allowed to take (unless I want to pay a much higher price), and also what Doctors I am allowed to see and for what. They seem to enjoy "second guessing" the health care professionals.

I believe the co-pay is designed to keep you from visiting the Doctor every day for minor aches and pains, but at the same time not be real hard on a person if they do need to see a Doctor.

The doctor's office bills our insurance company and sends us a bill if the procedure was not covered under our insurance, or for any excess not covered by insurance.

 

We have always had a co-pay. It started out yaers ago at $5 but now stands at $15. Our Emergency Room Co Pay is $50 but if we use an Urgent care that does not apply.
Seems like we always get billed for eaxtras on x-rays etc but not much maybe $30 to $50.
We're still better off then millions who have no health care so we're not complaining

 

Our insurance coverage has a $50 deductable per visit it dont matter if the bill is $50 or $5k, as far as co pay all my perscribtions cost $15, If they are under $15 (slim chance) I pay the full cost

 

I was without health insurance and ended up in the hospital. Even though it was only an overnighter, from ER to room and testing, it cost me a bundle that is going to take a while to pay off. I now have insurance, but it is so limited as to even which hospital I use. I have to go to a hospital in another city to get better benefits although we now have a brand new hospital with ultra modern facilities.

I have been using the VA medical care system because my meds are even cheaper for 30 day supplies ( in most cases ) than using the insurance co-pay.

Health insurance companies are nothing but "for profit" companies and don't really give a rats behind about you. They'd rather pay their CEOs mega bucks than save a life.

 

Quote: Health insurance companies are nothing but "for profit" companies and don't really give a rats behind about you. They'd rather pay their CEOs mega bucks than save a life.

Of course they are "for profit" companies, that is why they were formed and why they exist. To produce those profits, CEO's are struggling with skyrocketing costs and many have left the industry. For those with insurance, good or bad, be glad for there are over 11 million Americans without insurance and the number is growing.
I really appreciate the job that medical professionals do at public hospitals. Many years ago, I was taken to a very busy county hospital where I spent 20 hours on a gurney waiting for a bed to become available. During this time I was attended by an overworked intern who had not slept in over 20 hours, sick as I was, I was almost as alert than he was. The ER was packed and those people where doing their best in a bad situation.
Dono

 

Yes, I know they are for profit companies...for sure...but! Insurance companies were formed to HELP people defray costs..not to make Insurance agents and CEO's WEALTHY, beyond comprehension, at OUR expense.

I also appreciate the job the techs and doctors do in hospitals. My own doctor won't even subscribe to the Insurance Co I am insured by, because they don't pay well enough. Doctors who subscribe to an insurance have to take lower rates as is my understanding.

The bottom line is that Insurance companies should do more of what their function is supposed to be, rather than seeing how much profit can be made and how mant things they can deny...at their OWN judgement.

As to uninsured people...I've been there too many times and know exactly what they have to face.....and fear.

 

Well, here in Canada, 'Socialized Medicine' (yea right), you dont have to pay for a doctors visit.. but they (Dr's) have levied a penalty for not cancelling your appointment 24hrs prior. This may vary from Province to Province.. But if/when you do see your Dr. it is paid for.... (by you..indirectly by the taxes you pay every year..and for paying for your Required Medical Coverage..by either your employer or.. you...)..so nothing is for nothing. However.. you may have to wait for 6months or more for an MRI (or longer). - More than 6 months for a heart surgury or more...
Many ppl are even going out-of-province for emergency medical treatment..or even to the USA and pay for it..instead of waiting tooo long..(or too late) to have it done in Canada.
Sux big time...when you are seriously ill.

 

Best advice-Do not go to a doctor! I won't go unless I'm unconcious and somebody takes me there. If I wake up; I leave.

 

I see, I see,

you have the same problems like us here in Germany. An health insurance is a "must" here and it takes appox. 14% of you income. This percentage is varieing, it depends at which insurance you are.
But nowadays all have to pay for the medicine at the drug store.

How expensive is your health insurance (in percentage)?

Jens

 

14%, Wow. I will have to calculate what my percentage is.....just computed 1.8%. But I heard that you guys make the big bucks in Germany.

 

hm... big bucks......
An average worker has an income from....$900 to 1400 netto/ month. "netto" is the money what you get at the end of the month from your employer (you realy earn more, but from that mumber (we call it "brutto") your employer has to pay up to 52% Tax and different insurances (health, unemployment, retirement) The percentage of the Tax/insurance depends of your lifestyle. We have 5 Tax classes (for example married with kids pay less, unmarried without kids pay more)
From the money what you have on your account you pay additional 16% Tax for anything what you buy. It is similar to your system, but if I'm right you only pay 6% and it depends in which country you live, right?
Luxury things, like Alcohol and Tabak is taxed higher as 16%
Gasoline is taxed up to 80% of the price/ltr. (super gas cost $1,15/ltr and from that 1,15 the taxman gets appox. 80 %)

And don't forget....a big banker/manager gets much more and a not so qualified Person can get less.

that to the tale with the "Big Bucks "

Jens

 

Wow, you guys pays taxes like they do in Sweden. I would have to say that you are over taxed. Maybe a revolt is called for.

The sales tax in California depends on the county. Mine is 7.25%. You could always move here. There are plenty of old Fords running around. I heard that it is hard to find a job in Germany.

 

good Idea, there are only a few little problems: a missing green card, a job, a not perfekt spoken english language, not enough knowlegde 'bout the american way of life etc.....

and yep, it is hard to find a job in the present times. Most german companies are investing lots of money in the european union (hungary, litauen, poland etc.) 'cause the employers are more inexpensive there so they profit is growing. But one day they will learn that you can't eat your money.
The other thing are special companies where other companies can rent a employee for a month, a day, whatever you want . The joke of that story is that you (the empolyee) got only a few bucks, also for special knowlegde, the biggest part of the money is running into the pockets of that "rent a empolyee" companies. thats a kind of "modern slavery"

Jens