For those who Don't get their Health Care from their employer

midlifebear

Expert Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2007
Posts
5,789
Media
0
Likes
178
Points
133
Location
Nevada, Buenos Aires, and Barçelona
Sexuality
60% Gay, 40% Straight
Gender
Male
The last time Blue Cross of Nevada bothered to offer a quote for premiums, they wanted $1,500 a month, a $20,000 annual deductible, and would pay 80% of all medical expenses up to a maximum of $100,000 -- for my lifetime. That was in 2001. So, when the fortunes of fate offered the opportunity to become a Spanish Resident I hired the best Dyke-on-a-bike attorney in BCN, filled out the appropriate papers and have been thrilled to pay the 38-42% income tax on business income charged to our little Sociedad Autonoma every year.

Whenever I fly back to the States, I pay 350€ for every 30 days I'm in the USA to a private EU insurance company to cover me for catastrophic coverage AND to get me back to Spain.
 

unique_exposure

Experimental Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Posts
568
Media
4
Likes
24
Points
103
Location
Southwest
Sexuality
99% Gay, 1% Straight
Gender
Male
Blue Cross Blue Shield: 30% increase.
(2008: +20%).

Their paper letter explanation was "everyone's has gone up."
[read: "its nothing personal, but screw you"]

I still consider myself extremely lucky compared to what many are paying.
 

SilverTrain

Legendary Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Posts
4,623
Media
82
Likes
1,328
Points
333
Location
USA
Sexuality
No Response
Gender
Male
Blue Cross Blue Shield: 30% increase.
(2008: +20%).

Their paper letter explanation was "everyone's has gone up."
[read: "its nothing personal, but screw you"]

I still consider myself extremely lucky compared to what many are paying.

Fortunately, when this all blows over, you'll get the "We're reducing your rates by half because everything's going down!" letter.
 

cdarro

1st Like
Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Posts
489
Media
0
Likes
1
Points
103
Age
65
Location
Southern Alberta, Canada
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
No charge for basic. $41.50/month for Alberta Blue Cross. I have my choice of doctors, 30% co-pay for drugs, negligible wait times for specialists. Basic dental coverage but not familar with extras as I haven`t had to use them recently. Blue Cross cost coverage doubled on Jan 1, as "Trinity" was so keen to point out, but basic premiums of $54/month were eliminated, so I'm $21.50 ahead.
 

dandelion

Superior Member
Verified
Gold
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Posts
13,297
Media
21
Likes
2,705
Points
358
Location
UK
Verification
View
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
In the UK health care comes out of taxation so as people with bigger incomes pay more tax, they pay a bigger proportion of health charges. However the health system costs around £100 billion for 60 million people, or about $200 dollars per month each. You dont get asked funny questions about paying if your rushed into hospital and would get just the same care, which is pretty good. I'm sure the luxury end of US health care would be better, but if you have the money you can pay for the very best here too. Some people here take out private health care too but as it hasnt really caught on, I suspect it isnt really any better unless you are maybe the sort of person who needs to pay for convenience.
 

lucky8

Expert Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2006
Posts
3,623
Media
0
Likes
193
Points
193
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
25%...raising our rates is about the only thing Washington has accomplished...
 

crescendo69

Expert Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Posts
7,786
Media
0
Likes
163
Points
283
Age
70
Location
Knoxville (Tennessee, United States)
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
As a non-smoking, non-overweight diabetic, I have chosen the "S" plan of BlueCrossBlueShield of Tennessee, which charges $835/month. TennAccess pays 80% of that since I am so poor with a chronic condition. It has a $1000 deductable, and covers 80% of medical bills after that, so no co-pay. Prescriptions are bought mostly through mail order under three classifications, costing either $10/25%/50% up to $100 max for a three-month supply. I didn't spring for the dental plan, and eyeglasses/appointments are not covered. Damn, I need a teeth cleaning.

Darn, forgot the OP's question; my share of the premiums went up only $10 since last year.
 
Last edited:

D_Tully Tunnelrat

Experimental Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Posts
1,166
Media
0
Likes
3
Points
258
About 20% for two. Despite the increase, it's still a very good deal because it's an HMO. Gotta love the rates the Canadians pay. The failure of America to collectively address our health care needs is pathetic.
 

vince

Legendary Member
Joined
May 13, 2007
Posts
8,271
Media
1
Likes
1,677
Points
333
Location
Canada
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
About 20% for two. Despite the increase, it's still a very good deal because it's an HMO. Gotta love the rates the Canadians pay. The failure of America to collectively address our health care needs is pathetic.
We pay through our taxes. Which may be a little higher, but not 600 to 800 dollars a month higher. Costs are lower due to the non-profit insurance plan, less litigation and less paperwork for providers to handle.

Jeezus, how do you afford it and still have to pay those deductibles and co-pays? I guess 40 million can't and millions more stay poor paying the premiums.
 
D

deleted15807

Guest
In case anyone hasn't heard.....

Soaring cost of healthcare sets a record


In a stark reminder of growing costs, the government has released a new estimate that healthcare spending grew to a record 17.3% of the U.S. economy last year, marking the largest one-year jump in its share of the economy since the government started keeping such records half a century ago.

The almost $2.5 trillion spent in 2009 was $134 billion more than the previous year, when healthcare consumed 16.2% of the gross domestic product, according to an annual report by independent actuaries at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, scheduled for release Thursday.
 

slurper_la

Superior Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Posts
5,879
Media
9
Likes
3,762
Points
333
Location
Los Angeles (California, United States)
Sexuality
100% Gay, 0% Straight
Gender
Male
While most of my health care insurance is employer paid I thought I'd add to this discussion to highlight issues in CA.

In October 2008, with the economy tanking and insurance rates rising, my employer had to adjust the practice of paying 100% of premiums. All staff members had to kick in a percentage of the premium costs per month. For me that totaled $127, about 25% of the total. In June 2009, the company was advised Blue Shield CA was raising its rates 30% and they were considerate enough to give us one month's notice.

Our CFO scrambled to change providers and had to settle for Kaiser and everyone had the choice of HMO or PPO, I chose PPO.

My contribution has decreased to $120 and I still haven't figured out what my deductibles, co-pays and annual / lifetime limits are but they're not good.

I wish it was within the president's power to cancel health insurance for congress until they come up with a fix for this horrendous problem. Then I'd like to shove a barbed stick up John Boehner's ass and see how much it will cost him to have it removed by a doctor.
 

B_starinvestor

Experimental Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2006
Posts
4,383
Media
0
Likes
3
Points
183
Location
Midwest
Sexuality
100% Straight, 0% Gay
Gender
Male
Yes, thanks republitards.

Truly a shame that grotesque, bloodthirsty lawyers like John Kerry have pillaged billions in lawsuits against doctors and ultimately insurance companies, which has driven up insurance costs and doctors' liability coverage to levels that are driving good doctors out of the business altogether.

Sue, sue, sue. Sue every corporation. Those greedy bastards.


Oops. Everyone's insurance premiums are going up? Aw shucks. Its the evil insurance companies!! John Edwards is fighting against the evil corporation!!!!



Insurance? What insurance??

Since the beginning of time, the notion of insurance is simply spreading risk among a group of people. With the advent of multimillion dollar lawsuits being borne amongst liberal lawyers, that risk has escalated into the stratosphere - which has caused skyrocketing insurance premiums.

Thanks again liberal lawyers. John Kerry. Stan Chesley. The rest of you disgusting gutter rats that have singlehandedly annihilated the insurance business. Oh - and 40% of the take on a settlement seems like real justice you fucking lowlifes.