Moving to California from the UK

Jeanette40

New member
Hi<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I am new to this forum so please be gentle with me! </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I am 40, have CF and asthma, and live in the UK. I have a lovely husband and 3 gorgeous children!  My lung function is around 80%, am on nebulized hypertonic saline 3 times a day, various vitamins and IV's and oral antibiotics as and when required.  I am pancreas sufficient so don't have digestive problems. </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">My question is about health care in the US, as we may be moving out to Long Beach CA for my husband's job.  My health care in the UK is free, prescriptions are about $10 each but you can buy a prepayment card in advance for around $60 for 3 months, which is great as I am on about 9 prescriptions a month.  The job my husband would go to has a good health insurance I have been told, but I am still wondering how it works, if it is really expensive to have CF in America, and if, even with good cover, you have to fight for expensive drugs with your insurance companies.  </div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I lived in Long Beach 12 years ago, and was diagnosed with CF out there, and met Dr Riker at LB Memorial.  I, however, at that time did not have any health issues, and returned to England 8 months after this, so really didn't pay much attention to how anything worked with regards to CF.  This time it will be long term, and my health has declined, so I really need some advice before I make the decision to move.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Thank you so much for reading this, and I hope you don't think I'm rude gate crashing your forum when you don't even know much about me.  However, if I move to LA, I hope to use the forum lots more, and that it will be as informative and friendly as the one in the UK.</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Cheers and take care</div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Jeanette xx</div><div><br></div>
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I am new to this forum so please be gentle with me!<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I am 40, have CF and asthma, and live in the UK. I have a lovely husband and 3 gorgeous children! My lung function is around 80%, am on nebulized hypertonic saline 3 times a day, various vitamins and IV's and oral antibiotics as and when required. I am pancreas sufficient so don't have digestive problems.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">My question is about health care in the US, as we may be moving out to Long Beach CA for my husband's job. My health care in the UK is free, prescriptions are about $10 each but you can buy a prepayment card in advance for around $60 for 3 months, which is great as I am on about 9 prescriptions a month. The job my husband would go to has a good health insurance I have been told, but I am still wondering how it works, if it is really expensive to have CF in America, and if, even with good cover, you have to fight for expensive drugs with your insurance companies. <div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I lived in Long Beach 12 years ago, and was diagnosed with CF out there, and met Dr Riker at LB Memorial. I, however, at that time did not have any health issues, and returned to England 8 months after this, so really didn't pay much attention to how anything worked with regards to CF. This time it will be long term, and my health has declined, so I really need some advice before I make the decision to move.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Thank you so much for reading this, and I hope you don't think I'm rude gate crashing your forum when you don't even know much about me. However, if I move to LA, I hope to use the forum lots more, and that it will be as informative and friendly as the one in the UK.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Cheers and take care<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Jeanette xx<br>
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I am new to this forum so please be gentle with me!<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I am 40, have CF and asthma, and live in the UK. I have a lovely husband and 3 gorgeous children! My lung function is around 80%, am on nebulized hypertonic saline 3 times a day, various vitamins and IV's and oral antibiotics as and when required. I am pancreas sufficient so don't have digestive problems.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">My question is about health care in the US, as we may be moving out to Long Beach CA for my husband's job. My health care in the UK is free, prescriptions are about $10 each but you can buy a prepayment card in advance for around $60 for 3 months, which is great as I am on about 9 prescriptions a month. The job my husband would go to has a good health insurance I have been told, but I am still wondering how it works, if it is really expensive to have CF in America, and if, even with good cover, you have to fight for expensive drugs with your insurance companies. <div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">I lived in Long Beach 12 years ago, and was diagnosed with CF out there, and met Dr Riker at LB Memorial. I, however, at that time did not have any health issues, and returned to England 8 months after this, so really didn't pay much attention to how anything worked with regards to CF. This time it will be long term, and my health has declined, so I really need some advice before I make the decision to move.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Thank you so much for reading this, and I hope you don't think I'm rude gate crashing your forum when you don't even know much about me. However, if I move to LA, I hope to use the forum lots more, and that it will be as informative and friendly as the one in the UK.<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Cheers and take care<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; ">Jeanette xx<br>
 

julie

New member
Honestly it all depends on the benefits in his medical coverage. It's a really difficult question to answer until you know what his coverage %'s are. There are programs that can help, but that depends on the overall family income and family size. I know my post isn't much help, but honestly it's going to be very difficult to answer your questions about meds and such without knowing the specifics of your healthcare plan.

And for what it's worth, you aren't the only person on the forum who lives outside the US. This is definitely a resource for ANYONE with CF, regardless of where you live! so welcome <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

julie

New member
Honestly it all depends on the benefits in his medical coverage. It's a really difficult question to answer until you know what his coverage %'s are. There are programs that can help, but that depends on the overall family income and family size. I know my post isn't much help, but honestly it's going to be very difficult to answer your questions about meds and such without knowing the specifics of your healthcare plan.

And for what it's worth, you aren't the only person on the forum who lives outside the US. This is definitely a resource for ANYONE with CF, regardless of where you live! so welcome <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

julie

New member
Honestly it all depends on the benefits in his medical coverage. It's a really difficult question to answer until you know what his coverage %'s are. There are programs that can help, but that depends on the overall family income and family size. I know my post isn't much help, but honestly it's going to be very difficult to answer your questions about meds and such without knowing the specifics of your healthcare plan.
<br />
<br />And for what it's worth, you aren't the only person on the forum who lives outside the US. This is definitely a resource for ANYONE with CF, regardless of where you live! so welcome <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
 

Jeanette40

New member
Thank you Julie, that's really kind of you. I understand there are difficulties in answering my question as there are huge variations in cover, I guess I was wanting best/worst cases really, so I could gain a bit of understanding into how expensive it could get.

Thanks again, Jeanette xx
 

Jeanette40

New member
Thank you Julie, that's really kind of you. I understand there are difficulties in answering my question as there are huge variations in cover, I guess I was wanting best/worst cases really, so I could gain a bit of understanding into how expensive it could get.

Thanks again, Jeanette xx
 

Jeanette40

New member
Thank you Julie, that's really kind of you. I understand there are difficulties in answering my question as there are huge variations in cover, I guess I was wanting best/worst cases really, so I could gain a bit of understanding into how expensive it could get.
<br />
<br />Thanks again, Jeanette xx
 

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
Yes, as Julie said, it really does vary so much from plan to plan but I can tell you what our co-pays are. We have and HMO which generally means lower cost but limited on what doctors we can see. Anyway...

Our generic meds (albuterol..) cost $10 a month and name brand meds (hyper sal, pulmozyme, creon, advair...) cost $30 each a month. We have a great deal on 3 month supply...I can get 3 months for the same price as 1 month ($10/$30). Our last insurance a 90 day supply was twice the cost of a one month supply. And we do have a prescription deductible of $100 per year per individual.

Our Dr. visitis are $20 per visit.

We have a deductible of $500 individual/$1000 family, after that....
Labs, PFTS, X-rays are a co-pay of $10 - $50 depending on the procedure.
Hospitalization is covered 90%...we pay 10%

Max out of pocket per year is $3000 individual/ $6000 family.

The max out of pocket is only for the labs, x-rays, hospitalization (our co-pays for drugs are on top of this max).

Hope that helps. I know it is confusing, so if you need me to explain anything further, let me know.
 

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
Yes, as Julie said, it really does vary so much from plan to plan but I can tell you what our co-pays are. We have and HMO which generally means lower cost but limited on what doctors we can see. Anyway...

Our generic meds (albuterol..) cost $10 a month and name brand meds (hyper sal, pulmozyme, creon, advair...) cost $30 each a month. We have a great deal on 3 month supply...I can get 3 months for the same price as 1 month ($10/$30). Our last insurance a 90 day supply was twice the cost of a one month supply. And we do have a prescription deductible of $100 per year per individual.

Our Dr. visitis are $20 per visit.

We have a deductible of $500 individual/$1000 family, after that....
Labs, PFTS, X-rays are a co-pay of $10 - $50 depending on the procedure.
Hospitalization is covered 90%...we pay 10%

Max out of pocket per year is $3000 individual/ $6000 family.

The max out of pocket is only for the labs, x-rays, hospitalization (our co-pays for drugs are on top of this max).

Hope that helps. I know it is confusing, so if you need me to explain anything further, let me know.
 

2005CFmom

Super Moderator
Yes, as Julie said, it really does vary so much from plan to plan but I can tell you what our co-pays are. We have and HMO which generally means lower cost but limited on what doctors we can see. Anyway...
<br />
<br />Our generic meds (albuterol..) cost $10 a month and name brand meds (hyper sal, pulmozyme, creon, advair...) cost $30 each a month. We have a great deal on 3 month supply...I can get 3 months for the same price as 1 month ($10/$30). Our last insurance a 90 day supply was twice the cost of a one month supply. And we do have a prescription deductible of $100 per year per individual.
<br />
<br />Our Dr. visitis are $20 per visit.
<br />
<br />We have a deductible of $500 individual/$1000 family, after that....
<br />Labs, PFTS, X-rays are a co-pay of $10 - $50 depending on the procedure.
<br />Hospitalization is covered 90%...we pay 10%
<br />
<br />Max out of pocket per year is $3000 individual/ $6000 family.
<br />
<br />The max out of pocket is only for the labs, x-rays, hospitalization (our co-pays for drugs are on top of this max).
<br />
<br />Hope that helps. I know it is confusing, so if you need me to explain anything further, let me know.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi Teri,

Thank you so much, that was really helpful, although I am still a bit confused with what things mean - does a deductible mean that you have to pay the full amount for health care until you have paid that amount? I like the idea of max out of pocket per year, is that on most insurances? I use an i-neb in England for my hypertonic saline, are they common in the US or would I have to switch to an e-flow?

Sorry, I will probably have more questions, I hope that is ok!

Thanks again, take care
Jeanette xx
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi Teri,

Thank you so much, that was really helpful, although I am still a bit confused with what things mean - does a deductible mean that you have to pay the full amount for health care until you have paid that amount? I like the idea of max out of pocket per year, is that on most insurances? I use an i-neb in England for my hypertonic saline, are they common in the US or would I have to switch to an e-flow?

Sorry, I will probably have more questions, I hope that is ok!

Thanks again, take care
Jeanette xx
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi Teri,
<br />
<br />Thank you so much, that was really helpful, although I am still a bit confused with what things mean - does a deductible mean that you have to pay the full amount for health care until you have paid that amount? I like the idea of max out of pocket per year, is that on most insurances? I use an i-neb in England for my hypertonic saline, are they common in the US or would I have to switch to an e-flow?
<br />
<br />Sorry, I will probably have more questions, I hope that is ok!
<br />
<br />Thanks again, take care
<br />Jeanette xx
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi again, I have just thought of another question, is there a big deal about pre-existing conditions? Will I even be allowed insurance or will it cost tons more, or if it is a group insurance attached to the company will me having CF not even matter?
Thank you again
Jeanette x
 

Jeanette40

New member
Hi again, I have just thought of another question, is there a big deal about pre-existing conditions? Will I even be allowed insurance or will it cost tons more, or if it is a group insurance attached to the company will me having CF not even matter?
Thank you again
Jeanette x
 
Top