Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-01-2005, 08:17 AM (1 of 33)
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My husband is self employed with no employees so we pay our own health insurance. The premiums just went up to $935 per month so we are looking at other options. We can get insurance through Sam's club at a discount. I call the other day & to get the closest to what we have we can save over $300 per month. I was wondering if anyone else has Humana insurance & can tell me if it is a good choice. We have been with BCN for 20 years and I am kind of afraid to change. Our Drs. both take Humana so that wouldn't be a problem. Our other option was to cancel & set p a savings account just for medical/dental. but I am afraid other emergencys (like paying taxes) would come up & we would end up using it.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-01-2005, 10:19 AM (2 of 33)
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When I have changed insurance (that is always soooo scary), I've called the offices of the doctors I use who accept the insurance. I speak to the person who handles in insurance for the offices. They have to deal with the insurance companies and can tell you how often they deny insurance coverage, how well they pay, etc. You might call the accounting office of the local hospital you would use too..sometimes they are great for the doctor but bad about paying the hospital. It at least might give you an idea if they doctor's office or hospital will come after you because the insurance doesn't pay as expected. Insurance so often pays thousands of dollars which can wipe out a savings account in nothing flat. On one of my dad's heart surgeries, the hospital bill alone amounted to over $89,000. When my son was hit by a car his first few hours (from 8PM until 2AM) was spent in one hospital's trauma center before he was transfered to a specialty hospital. The amount for that first hospital was just under $25,000. He spent 3 more days in ICU in the second hospital before being taken to a regular room. Our insurance paid it all except for about fifty dollars of hospital deductable. Long term therapy for a small problem (not even related to a catastropic illness) can be thousands. Like it or not, insurance can be a life saver! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: grandmasue
Date: 01-02-2005, 11:22 AM (3 of 33)
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The business my husband works for has had Humana for many years. We have not a problem with them paying for what is stated in the policy. Our problem is that his company has had to got to the cheapest plan available and we are paying large deductibles ($1000 per person) and more of a percentage for other coverage (70%-30%). Thank goodness we have never had to test the policy out with a major claim, so I can't give you a report on how they are to deal with in that situation. Insurance thru Sam's Club.... I would have never thought to check there! Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-02-2005, 01:17 PM (4 of 33)
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You might also check AAA. They have seem to have some good rates, but I don't know anything about the insurance. It doesn't necessarily cost all that much for one of you to belong to AAA. If you are old enough (50) there are also insurance plans through AARP. I wonder if you would be sharring the same insurance as the Sam's/Wal Mart employees. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-02-2005, 06:57 PM (5 of 33)
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Thanks Grandma Sue & Paroper. They are calling back monday to do a preliminary application to give us or choice of prices. We will probably go with the $1000 or $2500 deductible with no prescription coverage. dropping prescription saves almost $93 per month. We have never had coverage for them & the most we have ever spent was $600 one year that our son was on ritalin. now we spend less than $200 a year in scrips.dropping the deductible & scrips will save us about $400 per month & now that I am working we should be able to catch up some. My husband will be 50 in July maybe we will have to check out AARP. I still have a year & 3/4 till I'm 50. Thanks again for your input I think we have decided to go for it. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
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From: daveson
Date: 01-11-2007, 09:38 PM (6 of 33)
 Every year I seem to receive a notice that my health insurance premiums are going up. While this doesn't surprise me, the amount that it increases does shock me. Upon my next renewal, my quarterly payment will go up about $200. I am now paying more than twice what I originally paid when I first bought this policy about seven years ago, and I've even cut back on benefits significantly over the years. In seven years time, I'm paying more than double and receiving less coverage.I checked some quotes at Onseshopinsurance (http://www.oneshopinsurance.com.com) and was able to check on several premiums I can afford. Hope this helps. |
User: daveson
Member since: 01-10-2007 Total posts: 1 |
From: Sancin
Date: 01-12-2007, 03:49 AM (7 of 33)
I have to tell you folks, this whole conversation is overwhelming to me.  I cannot comprehend spending that much money for health insurance. I am aware how costly health care is. We do have supposedly universal basic health care here in Canada, but I was really careful to plan my employment and retirement so that I receive extended benefits. I have had an unfortunate several months and been transported by ambulance 3 x to emergency for about 6-8 hours each time. No charge for the emergency care and the ambulance, for which I have not received bills yet, will be $45 per trip and I can get most of that reimbursed from my extended benefits. Even my prescriptions were minimal.  Our health care is not free, as it comes out of taxes and as a result other things go missing, but if I had to pay the premiums you are mentioning I would be a bag lady. We hear of US health bills, but I had no idea of the numbers. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 01-12-2007, 04:44 AM (8 of 33)
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I'd always heard that health care was expensive in the US but oh boy! In OZ any emergency care in a public hospital costs nothing and is immediate but there is a bit of a grey area about what constitutes an emergency. If a procedure is considered non-urgent (knee replacement or removal of gallstones for example) then you are put on a waiting list for treatment (once again at no cost in a public hospital). Time on the waiting list is dependent on several factors including things like pain and deterioration of health and also beds/doctors available for the particular health issue (somewhere between 4 weeks and 18 months). If you don't want to go on a waiting list then you pay for private insurance (and we all whinge about the cost). Hospital cover for my family is about $145 per month and covers 100% of hospital expenses minus the excess payment which is $400 per person (only payable twice within a year on the policy). You can get extras cover (physio, dental etc.) but for my family it doesn't seem worthwhile so we just save or wait if we need any of these. Over the past 5 years we have used the private insurance twice and the public system 3 or 4 times (classified as emergency). Care is pretty much the same although a private hospital has better decor and you get to choose your doctor. Aussies often complain about our health system (myself included) but it seems like we don't know when we're well off. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Patty22
Date: 01-12-2007, 07:58 AM (9 of 33)
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My husband works for himself and our insurance premiums just went up again this month......we are now paying $9,600 a year for insurance. We still have a co-pay when we visit the doctor and it does not cover all our rx's. His doctor just told him about a new insurance were you pay $10,000 deductable and then everything is covered after that. We would be better off with this new plan as we well exceed the $10,000 a year. We need to figure out the problems in our own country before the president sends money and troops over to other countries telling them what to do. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 01-12-2007, 10:41 AM (10 of 33)
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My DH is having kittens now becaue of the testa that the Dr has ordered for me. I went in for my yearly check- up with the Cardiologist and he didn't like the looks of the EKG. Now I have to undergo a Echo ( had that yesterday) and Monday a Cardio-stress test. I was just able to get back on Insurance after a period of time without it, BUT as someone else mentioned, they don't want to pay for ANYTHING leaving you with outrageous deductables to pay. I wish that more States would follow suit with Mass. They passed a law in the past 18 months or so that requires EVERYONE in the state be covered with Hospitalization and that the Insurance Companies HAVE TO comply with this law. They have to have various levels and are not allowed to "screw" the customers with high costs, or the State will go after the Ins Companies. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: dmoses
Date: 01-12-2007, 10:59 AM (11 of 33)
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The thing I find weird, is that if you are not able to afford medical insurance, and you end up in an emergency situation, you will be charged exhorbitant fees...which you will spend the rest of your life paying for(during which time your health will dramatically deteriorate due to the stress of medical bills, and the fear of getting sick again). If you are insured, you pay your co-pay, and the insurance company pays the rest...but at a greatly reduced rate. Because of some agreement or other, your $15,000 bill becomes a $3000 bill for the insurance company. I'm assuming that it only works this way if the hospital or doctor are in your insurance company's *network*. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 01-12-2007, 11:28 AM (12 of 33)
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It is crazy Donna, Just for fun my husband and I asked for an itemized bill when ds #1 was born. We had a three week NICU stay and I want to say that the bill was up around $40,000. Insurance paid around $10,000 and we paid $7.00 a day for the room. Well I would have fought tooth and nail about the price if we would have had no insurance. They charged us for things that the nurse dropped and were never used. and they charged a crazy amount per diaper. When DD #2 was born in Germany, we got itemized bills automatically. Turns out that her 4 1/2 months in the NICU plus surgeries cost less than her brother's 3 weeks in the US. There is no doubt in my mind that we are messed up when it comes to heathcare, but unfortunately there is no easy fix. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: vickki
Date: 01-12-2007, 12:13 PM (13 of 33)
| Oh my I am so glad I'm not living in the States just because of the medical....Thank God I had a good employer for when I retired it cost me nothing for meds except .99 cents for each filling.....(that's my husbands medication).The winter cold weather I can handle,the medical I couldn't....I'll never wish I was born in a warm climate again.... |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 01-12-2007, 02:31 PM (14 of 33)
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An update on us. (Since my first post was 2 yrs. ago). We are not eligible for any other insurance beside BCBS. Because we are overweight & DH has had problems with his kidney stones. He had 1 blasted a yr. ago & the bill was over $9000. He was at the hospital less than 5 hrs. We still have no health INS. It is now over $1000. per month for 80% coverage, no RX, copays at the DR. & Labs. We are just making payments to the hospital & if we have to go in again they will just have to add it on. At my job we are supposed to get health benefits if we work 6hrs per day average. I have been working that since Sept. but the union Rep says it is considered temporary so they don't have to give us the benefits. I have bought into the Dental plan & will be going next month. It is in a clinic setting so it takes a long time to get in to get work done. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
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From: Magot
Date: 01-12-2007, 05:35 PM (15 of 33)
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blimey! We go to the doctors when we want and pay £6.65 per prescription and compain about that! If you need surgery (like when I was in hospital for my thyroid op for 10 days) you get it after a waiting list if it is a non urgent op.(for me at the time it was 18months but lists have reduced a lot since 2000). It is just availablle - we pay for it via National Insurance contributions a %which are deducted at source from your wage - but these things are also available to non workers. NHS dentists are harder to come by noawdays and so I pay privately for whatever I have done at a rate of £120 per hour, an eye test is £ 20 but free if you are on low income and glasses are avaiable subsidised on NHS but they are not too cheap -I can buy cheaper on the internet - I got a decent pair of presription glasses from glassesdirect.co.uk for £17.50. I still pay month per month for my contacts. It shocks me the amount you spend on health care! They keep trying to get us to take out private healthcare as well but at £15-20 per month per family we think it a rip off! love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-12-2007, 09:23 PM (16 of 33)
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My mother-in-laws new hip cost over $500,000. Thats just the surgery and hospital stay, not the drugs the Dr's etc...( luckily they have good ins and didn't have to pay a cent)(with all the rest of it it was $650,000 and change...) Our ins is military and yes we DO have to pay for it and we get less and less each yr. We used to get our drugs for free, but now they make us pay and we have to get them on the 'outside'..(co pay is $3-$9 dollars each) Ambulance charges here are $3500-$4500 a run (depends on the EMT's and what they use in transit, $3500 is just for the ambulance) If they fly you (copter)and don't ask your permission (like who's gonna ask if you're dying...) is $10,000-$15,000 depending on what hospital you use (here or Pensacola) and what the EMT's use on board. What scares US isn't medcial ins, it's house ins... When we moved into this brand new home in Sept. 95, we paid $200 a yr (we paid less because we combine it with our car ins.) In 2004 it went up to $800 a yr (no we've never had a claim, car or house)...last yr it was $1500...(STILL no claims...) some people are paying $5000 or more (or losing coverage altogether) for the same house they've lived in for 20/30/40 yrs and made NO claims...now does THAT make sense ??? (most of us don't even live near the water...made claims and the houses prices are falling...) 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Sherri
Date: 01-12-2007, 09:31 PM (17 of 33)
So glad to be Canadian right now.  Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 01-13-2007, 01:26 AM (18 of 33)
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Remember that certain president's wife who was going to fix American health care 10 years ago? Well, after her attempts to "fix it" I was certainly thankful that her successor decided to just hang out and take care of the twins, rather than delve into public policy. We are blessed in that hubby works for a huge corporation and we've got excellent health coverage. We've had lots of minor and a few major things come up during the past three years. If it weren't for our insurance, we'd already have had to sell the house to pay the bills. I hear your pain Mom of Six! I have no idea how we'll manage the health care thing when he retires! Yikes! Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-13-2007, 09:35 AM (19 of 33)
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I've stayed out of this because I thought we didn't get into politics here. But now it's getting offensive. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 01-13-2007, 11:15 PM (20 of 33)
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Yeah Dorothy... I probably offended more people than just you--you're just the only one brave enough to call me on it  I was hoping her plan would make our health care better. I'm disappointed--but not surprised-- that it didn't work out that way. I'm just been utterly disgusted by everything that's been going on on in D.C. and in our little ol' state capital, too for at least the past 15 years. It's like both parties are trying to outbad each another. I think we should get Mother in Law elected president....anyone with me on that one? Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 01-13-2007, 11:19 PM (21 of 33)
The job probably comes with a good health plan.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: MotherInLaw
Date: 01-14-2007, 02:00 AM (22 of 33)
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Shelly Thanks but no thanks on that one. I'd probably offend some people too. I'm not Republican or Democrat. I call it as I see it when it comes up. I'm not fond of our politicans at the moment. Instead of fighting over who's party is right they need to start thinking about what's best for our country and try making it a safer, better place to live. Kath, that's what we get for living in hurricane alley. They are making it almost impossible for people living in the New Orleans area to afford insurance. What makes me mad is as long as you pay and don't make a claim everything is fine but have to make a claim and then you can't afford it anymore. I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: pretnichols
Date: 01-14-2007, 10:24 AM (23 of 33)
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My Dad gets chemo shots 4 times a year. They are $3200 each or just about $13,000 a year. Tell me that drug companies aren't making tons of money. Luckily my parents have insurance really good insurance, supplemental insurance, medicare & AARP. They end up spending about $300 or so for each one. He was in the hosptial for major surgery in October -- intensive care for 6 days -- I can't even imagine what the statements will show for that visit, let alone the surgeon, and all of the other medical personnel required in surgery. No wonder so many seniors & others on limited income want to go to Canada to buy medicine. My DH takes 4 pills a day, plus low dow aspirin. We pay about $35 for those monthly prescriptions because it is mandated that we use a mail-order program. It would easily be over $100 a month if we didn't. Thank goodness he is eligible for his employers health insurance, but interestingly enough, we can't get life insurance for him -- unless we want to pay $800 a month???!!! US Drug companies & medical providers are making it so very difficult for so many people. Why is it cheaper somewhere else?? Okay, I'll get off my soap box now........ Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-15-2007, 01:23 AM (24 of 33)
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When the big one hit Oklahoma in 2001 I don't think I'd ever heard the excuses from insurance companies I heard then. "No, we don't have to pay for your house and contents. That was water damage. What? The tornado blew the house away or your furniture wouldn't have been water damaged from the rain?" I think the lawsuit settled last week in New Orleans may stop some of that. I've seen so many people's house and car insurance cancelled just because their number was up (because they'd been insured so long without an accident.) Many of those people have gone another 10-15 years and are still waiting for that pending accident. I just hate insurance in general...no matter what kind it is..and yet, everyone needs it. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 01-15-2007, 03:25 AM (25 of 33)
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I suppose I will add my 2 cents in on this topic being as I work for a MAJOR health care company. It makes me very sad to see that people are having to pay such high cost for premiums for policies that have such high deductables and no real benefits perks!! What I mean by that is~you would think with a high premium that you would be able to pay a copay for a Dr. visit, and flat fee for emergency care and copays for prescriptions drugs. Sadly there are many reasons for this. 1 being that for the most part Dr.s and hospitals are here to make money! Now that doesn't alway mean that you get the best care either! Another reason is there are so many people that don't go to the Dr. and use the emergency room as a walk in clinic! This raises health care costs! BIG TIME! I know that the company that I work for really checks and reviews the care and cost of the providers that they allow in their "Networks"~then those in the NW agree on providing discounted rates to the subscribers in exchange for being in the NW. Alot of plans have benefits for NW and Out of Network (OON) and by using the network providers you are helping in keeping your health care cost down. As far as the prescription drugs~It is really sad that drug companies are charging so much for drugs! Yes I do understand that it cost alot to provide the research for the drugs but there is no need to charge the public 1000 times the cost just to pad their wallets!! I know that many companys, WalMart, Target, Sam's and some grocery stores are providing some of the commonly used generic drugs at a very discounted price. Some as low as $4.00! That is awesome and even those with insurance can participate in those programs! Yea it won't cover the newer drugs~but if your Dr. can write you a prescription for the drugs on those plans you will save big bucks! A few helpful hints for those of you that don't have insurance: if you do need care and can't afford it try to find the community hospital. Sometimes referred to as the county hospital. Those are non-profit hospitals that even though they might call you for collections they won't hound you about your payments as long as they see you are trying to pay. Then often times when they see that you are trying they will write off the bills. Many cities and towns have low-cost health care Dr.s. Check and see if your town has these. Yea you might have to wait a little while to be seen but the cost is very minimal. Watch for free immunization clinics. I know the company I work for provided over 100,000 childhood immunizations just last year. If I can help anyone please feel free to PM me~ Blessings mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: Shellymoon
Date: 01-17-2007, 10:45 PM (26 of 33)
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Hey Friday....thanks for the info. My brother, who has no health insurance, spent almost two months in the hospital in 2006. First month was in a for-profit and second month was in the county hospital, which is also a training hospital for the nearby medical school. I think he got pretty good care at each one, although the county hospital was a lot more utilitarian. They figured out very quickly that he was indigent, put him on the county plan, sent a social worker around to get him all kinds of benefits to help him. We ended up paying for his prescriptions and some stuff like that, but the county itself was very helpful in helping find ways to get the other parts of his bill paid. The for-profit hospital found out he was indigent, cut $10,000 off his bill, them promptly discharged him without doing any of the procedures that he needed. He nearly lost his life before he ended up at the county. He was/is an addict and the county hospital literally saved his life. We can't say many bad things about them. Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 01-18-2007, 08:17 AM (27 of 33)
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Here the hospitals tack several thousand dollar on the bill if you are NOT insured! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 01-18-2007, 10:30 AM (28 of 33)
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When my DS was an infant, and we took him for his wellness appts & shots -- they enrolled us in a special program because my DH's insurance did not cover them. They only covered the office visit (never could figure out why they would only do that???). Anyway, they did it because it was $5 a shot, and he often got 2 or 3 at a time, like all babies did. It was so welcome as we were really financially strapped, but DH made too much money for us to qualify for anything else. So, there are ways to do it, just ask!
Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-19-2007, 08:19 PM (29 of 33)
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My MIL had her health insurance cancelled because of a pre exisitng condition. Years later she needed a pace maker. The doctor insisted on putting in the latest and greatest. This has been years but the cost of the pacemaker itself was $12,000. After the surgery he found out she had no insurance and would paying everything from a fixed income. He told her that had he known he could have used last years' model. The only difference was that the cover of the pacemaker was different and it would have cost her $4,000.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-19-2007, 08:25 PM (30 of 33)
Yep...my husbands job didn't change, but the people he works for did. (too complicated and boring to tell) so we now have new ins. (dental, eyes, etc...) but due to my lupus, I'm now not allowed on certain of his insurances. (which is nice...because I was before with the other company). The DC bunch always wonder why the 'people' are mad about health ins...it's because we don't have any, can't get any and no one will take care of 'us'...( the DC bunch have fed ins that takes anyone no matter what...at of all places, Walter Reed, the Army hospital.)It must be nice.....
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: bridesmom
Date: 01-19-2007, 11:27 PM (31 of 33)
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I'm totally shocked at what the costs of health insurance and medical costs are in the US! Like Nancy I knew it was high, but my gosh, how can anyone afford it??? I wish that here, when someone has a hospital stay or even a Dr's visit that they'd get presented with a bill just so they can see what the costs are. There are so many people who abuse our system, granted there are the ones who are sick and need the extra visits and medications, but what frustrates me are the ones who come in to ER with little booboo's or tummy aches and take up much needed space for the really sick ones. Mygosh, it must be scary to get sick down there.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: cowqueenie
Date: 01-20-2007, 09:17 AM (32 of 33)
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I guess I have something good to say about health insurance. Yes, we have paid in our fair share but when something big happens to you and you need to rely on that insurance it is a good thing to have. I have spent the last 15 years being "sick". It started in college and has now finally come to an end with two transplants I have had. If it were not for my husband's health coverage from his work and for the supplement Medicare (Government health coverage you get automatically when you have a kidney transplant) I would be millions in the hole right now. My meds add up to be almost $3400 a month without my insurance. Since I have insurance it is only about $200 for my meds. BIG BIG difference! Would love to not have to pay but at least it is there when you need it!
"A trip to the fabric store is my therapy"
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User: cowqueenie
Member since: 10-30-2006 Total posts: 125 
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From: Sancin
Date: 01-21-2007, 01:26 AM (33 of 33)
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Laura, I can't recall the year that universal basic health care came in here in Canada, I know it was after hospital insurance. When my son was born in 1970 I did receive all the receipts for "paid on my behalf" by either hospital insurance or our extended benefits. I put these in his baby book as a friend had a baby in New York at the same time and we compared costs. Not that much different except I had surgery and she didn't and thus was in hospital longer. My daughter was born in 1971 and I did not receive the paper work. Paperwork in itself must have cost a fortune. One newborn nursery I worked in in the late 1970's hired a new head nurse from Alabama. She put up a big poster with each of the most frequently used pieces of disposable devices, including IV bags and tubing with the cost of each. It sure changed some practices. I was shocked at how much each bag of IV fluid costs and many of you Canadian nurses will know how cavalier we are about pitching them out soon after hanging a new bag because we read a discontinue order late! My husband had specialty surgery in Los Angeles also in the 1970's. Fortunately his boss shouldered the bill until we were able to submit for expenses. He was only in hospital 3 days of the 7 expected in a truly wonderful new hospital. I have not seen anything as well organized since! As I was the one with the traveller's cheques I was paying the bills. There was a mail strike on here in Canada (of course) so I phoned the Dr's to see if they would drop off their bills so I could pay them right away. The anaesthetist said my husband was his last patient as his malpractice insurance was so high he was retiring early. His and a obstetrician friend's of his was higher than most of our physician friends here in PG made in a year. The hospital bill was an itemized 10 page document and included even linen changes. The thing that really rotted my socks was having to pay for the lotion for back care as I didn't want to take it home. It reminded me of every smelly patient I had ever cared for. I told my husband not to let them use it and I would go out and buy something I could stand at home.  It took a long time to get all the reimbursements as what was covered by hospital insurance here was different than in California.Cowqueenie - how much are you insurance premiums a month? One thing we do know here in Canada is how much our medications cost and how much is paid on our behalf because of the way that pharmacies dispense them. I am on several fairly expensive medications. The provincial government will pay most of the costs after a ceiling for personal costs has been reached each year starting in January. The ceiling is based on one's income tax, which made me furious when I retired as I had a retirement pension bonus which put me out of the ball park for over 2 years, even tho my actual income was considerably less. Prior to the government kicking in funds my extended benefits that my former employer pays (thro a union contract) pays for my medications after I meet their ceiling. By August every year I usually only pay minuscule medication costs or pay for medications that are not covered by either plan (more and more all the time!!). In case you Americans think us lucky, we don't have the quality highways you have nor are we allowed to deduct mortgage insurance off our income tax, two things that seem to startle Americans in Canada. There are other things that we do not get as our health care costs are rising constantly. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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