Moving to the US from London

[gingermummy]

Hi<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I am posting on here in the hope that I can get some advice.

Me and my husband are seriously considering relocating to the US. We have two children (8&5) and one of them has CF. She keeps very well indeed and (touch wood) has clear swabs. I have done some research on the health care system in the US and am a bit confused! I fully understand that the system revolves around Insurance plans but have read some shocking stories! I am sure it is not a true reflection on how all families cope with CF care hence the reason I am here looking for some help.

In the UK the health system is funded by the state(through contributions from our salaries) and under the age of 18 there is no requirement to pay for anything at all. You could spend a year in hospital and take all the drugs under the sun and it costs nothing. My daughter recieves fantastic care in London and the CF team are great. That aside we fell in love with the US many years ago and would really love to bring our kids up there. We both hold fairly senior positons at work and finding a job in the US would not be a big issue.

I guess my question is more about how hard do you guy's find it with the cost of CF health care? Is it really as bad as I have read about? Do you advise against the move based on the cost of health care?

I don't want to commit to a new life overseas if the cost of my daughters care is going to outweigh the benefits of moving to the US.

Thanks

Jane<img src="i/expressions/hugging.gif" border="0">

 

[gingermummy]

Hi<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I am posting on here in the hope that I can get some advice.

Me and my husband are seriously considering relocating to the US. We have two children (8&5) and one of them has CF. She keeps very well indeed and (touch wood) has clear swabs. I have done some research on the health care system in the US and am a bit confused! I fully understand that the system revolves around Insurance plans but have read some shocking stories! I am sure it is not a true reflection on how all families cope with CF care hence the reason I am here looking for some help.

In the UK the health system is funded by the state(through contributions from our salaries) and under the age of 18 there is no requirement to pay for anything at all. You could spend a year in hospital and take all the drugs under the sun and it costs nothing. My daughter recieves fantastic care in London and the CF team are great. That aside we fell in love with the US many years ago and would really love to bring our kids up there. We both hold fairly senior positons at work and finding a job in the US would not be a big issue.

I guess my question is more about how hard do you guy's find it with the cost of CF health care? Is it really as bad as I have read about? Do you advise against the move based on the cost of health care?

I don't want to commit to a new life overseas if the cost of my daughters care is going to outweigh the benefits of moving to the US.

Thanks

Jane<img src="i/expressions/hugging.gif" border="0">

 

[gingermummy]

Hi<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I am posting on here in the hope that I can get some advice.

Me and my husband are seriously considering relocating to the US. We have two children (8&5) and one of them has CF. She keeps very well indeed and (touch wood) has clear swabs. I have done some research on the health care system in the US and am a bit confused! I fully understand that the system revolves around Insurance plans but have read some shocking stories! I am sure it is not a true reflection on how all families cope with CF care hence the reason I am here looking for some help.

In the UK the health system is funded by the state(through contributions from our salaries) and under the age of 18 there is no requirement to pay for anything at all. You could spend a year in hospital and take all the drugs under the sun and it costs nothing. My daughter recieves fantastic care in London and the CF team are great. That aside we fell in love with the US many years ago and would really love to bring our kids up there. We both hold fairly senior positons at work and finding a job in the US would not be a big issue.

I guess my question is more about how hard do you guy's find it with the cost of CF health care? Is it really as bad as I have read about? Do you advise against the move based on the cost of health care?

I don't want to commit to a new life overseas if the cost of my daughters care is going to outweigh the benefits of moving to the US.

Thanks

Jane<img src="i/expressions/hugging.gif" border="0">

 

[gingermummy]

Hi<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I am posting on here in the hope that I can get some advice.

Me and my husband are seriously considering relocating to the US. We have two children (8&5) and one of them has CF. She keeps very well indeed and (touch wood) has clear swabs. I have done some research on the health care system in the US and am a bit confused! I fully understand that the system revolves around Insurance plans but have read some shocking stories! I am sure it is not a true reflection on how all families cope with CF care hence the reason I am here looking for some help.

In the UK the health system is funded by the state(through contributions from our salaries) and under the age of 18 there is no requirement to pay for anything at all. You could spend a year in hospital and take all the drugs under the sun and it costs nothing. My daughter recieves fantastic care in London and the CF team are great. That aside we fell in love with the US many years ago and would really love to bring our kids up there. We both hold fairly senior positons at work and finding a job in the US would not be a big issue.

I guess my question is more about how hard do you guy's find it with the cost of CF health care? Is it really as bad as I have read about? Do you advise against the move based on the cost of health care?

I don't want to commit to a new life overseas if the cost of my daughters care is going to outweigh the benefits of moving to the US.

Thanks

Jane<img src="i/expressions/hugging.gif" border="0">

 

[gingermummy]

Hi<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />I am posting on here in the hope that I can get some advice.
<br />
<br />Me and my husband are seriously considering relocating to the US. We have two children (8&5) and one of them has CF. She keeps very well indeed and (touch wood) has clear swabs. I have done some research on the health care system in the US and am a bit confused! I fully understand that the system revolves around Insurance plans but have read some shocking stories! I am sure it is not a true reflection on how all families cope with CF care hence the reason I am here looking for some help.
<br />
<br />In the UK the health system is funded by the state(through contributions from our salaries) and under the age of 18 there is no requirement to pay for anything at all. You could spend a year in hospital and take all the drugs under the sun and it costs nothing. My daughter recieves fantastic care in London and the CF team are great. That aside we fell in love with the US many years ago and would really love to bring our kids up there. We both hold fairly senior positons at work and finding a job in the US would not be a big issue.
<br />
<br />I guess my question is more about how hard do you guy's find it with the cost of CF health care? Is it really as bad as I have read about? Do you advise against the move based on the cost of health care?
<br />
<br />I don't want to commit to a new life overseas if the cost of my daughters care is going to outweigh the benefits of moving to the US.
<br />
<br />Thanks
<br />
<br />Jane<img src="i/expressions/hugging.gif" border="0">

 

[Jane]

Hi Jane!

In my case, my job provides health insurance for me and my family. They pay 75% of our coverage, we pay 25%, so much every month. Our insurance covers all hospital care, doctors office visits, tests and procedures. They also pay for home care supplies when the boys are on IV antibiotics and for their g-tube supplies and formula. We have a co-pay for medicine (depending on the brand) of $35, $15 or $5.

We pay for non-prescription medicine and vitamins, and supplies. Some months it is quite costly depending on their health, but we consider ourselves fortunate to have such coverage.

The insurance only covers children until they reach 21 or 25 and are in college full time.

I'm sure there are many others with different stories who will help you with your decision.

Good luck!

Where in the US are you looking to move? We live outside Boston and have excellent CF clinics and hospitals!

 

[Jane]

Hi Jane!

In my case, my job provides health insurance for me and my family. They pay 75% of our coverage, we pay 25%, so much every month. Our insurance covers all hospital care, doctors office visits, tests and procedures. They also pay for home care supplies when the boys are on IV antibiotics and for their g-tube supplies and formula. We have a co-pay for medicine (depending on the brand) of $35, $15 or $5.

We pay for non-prescription medicine and vitamins, and supplies. Some months it is quite costly depending on their health, but we consider ourselves fortunate to have such coverage.

The insurance only covers children until they reach 21 or 25 and are in college full time.

I'm sure there are many others with different stories who will help you with your decision.

Good luck!

Where in the US are you looking to move? We live outside Boston and have excellent CF clinics and hospitals!

 

[Jane]

Hi Jane!

In my case, my job provides health insurance for me and my family. They pay 75% of our coverage, we pay 25%, so much every month. Our insurance covers all hospital care, doctors office visits, tests and procedures. They also pay for home care supplies when the boys are on IV antibiotics and for their g-tube supplies and formula. We have a co-pay for medicine (depending on the brand) of $35, $15 or $5.

We pay for non-prescription medicine and vitamins, and supplies. Some months it is quite costly depending on their health, but we consider ourselves fortunate to have such coverage.

The insurance only covers children until they reach 21 or 25 and are in college full time.

I'm sure there are many others with different stories who will help you with your decision.

Good luck!

Where in the US are you looking to move? We live outside Boston and have excellent CF clinics and hospitals!

 

[Jane]

Hi Jane!

In my case, my job provides health insurance for me and my family. They pay 75% of our coverage, we pay 25%, so much every month. Our insurance covers all hospital care, doctors office visits, tests and procedures. They also pay for home care supplies when the boys are on IV antibiotics and for their g-tube supplies and formula. We have a co-pay for medicine (depending on the brand) of $35, $15 or $5.

We pay for non-prescription medicine and vitamins, and supplies. Some months it is quite costly depending on their health, but we consider ourselves fortunate to have such coverage.

The insurance only covers children until they reach 21 or 25 and are in college full time.

I'm sure there are many others with different stories who will help you with your decision.

Good luck!

Where in the US are you looking to move? We live outside Boston and have excellent CF clinics and hospitals!

 

[Jane]

Hi Jane!
<br />
<br />In my case, my job provides health insurance for me and my family. They pay 75% of our coverage, we pay 25%, so much every month. Our insurance covers all hospital care, doctors office visits, tests and procedures. They also pay for home care supplies when the boys are on IV antibiotics and for their g-tube supplies and formula. We have a co-pay for medicine (depending on the brand) of $35, $15 or $5.
<br />
<br />We pay for non-prescription medicine and vitamins, and supplies. Some months it is quite costly depending on their health, but we consider ourselves fortunate to have such coverage.
<br />
<br />The insurance only covers children until they reach 21 or 25 and are in college full time.
<br />
<br />I'm sure there are many others with different stories who will help you with your decision.
<br />
<br />Good luck!
<br />
<br />Where in the US are you looking to move? We live outside Boston and have excellent CF clinics and hospitals!

 

[Sakem]

If u figure u can get a really good job here, I would not worry about the health care system. Most good jobs offer excellent health care pakages. And while out of health care costs have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, it still may be less that what u pay in Britian. A big good employer usually offers a healthcare plan with $10-20 office visit copays and similar for prescriptions.

As of right now, your insurance premiums and not taxed and you can claim other medical expenses as tax deductions or set up a felxible spending account that is not taxed, but that could be changing if Obama ever "fixes the healthcare", or should I say, makes it even more of a mess than it is.

Also, even if you end up paying a little more heer in the US, I feel confident to say u will be receiving superior care and access to vest.

So the real question may be where you choose to live in the US, it's a big country with lots of great places, it's just not New York City or California.

 

[Sakem]

If u figure u can get a really good job here, I would not worry about the health care system. Most good jobs offer excellent health care pakages. And while out of health care costs have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, it still may be less that what u pay in Britian. A big good employer usually offers a healthcare plan with $10-20 office visit copays and similar for prescriptions.

As of right now, your insurance premiums and not taxed and you can claim other medical expenses as tax deductions or set up a felxible spending account that is not taxed, but that could be changing if Obama ever "fixes the healthcare", or should I say, makes it even more of a mess than it is.

Also, even if you end up paying a little more heer in the US, I feel confident to say u will be receiving superior care and access to vest.

So the real question may be where you choose to live in the US, it's a big country with lots of great places, it's just not New York City or California.

 

[Sakem]

If u figure u can get a really good job here, I would not worry about the health care system. Most good jobs offer excellent health care pakages. And while out of health care costs have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, it still may be less that what u pay in Britian. A big good employer usually offers a healthcare plan with $10-20 office visit copays and similar for prescriptions.

As of right now, your insurance premiums and not taxed and you can claim other medical expenses as tax deductions or set up a felxible spending account that is not taxed, but that could be changing if Obama ever "fixes the healthcare", or should I say, makes it even more of a mess than it is.

Also, even if you end up paying a little more heer in the US, I feel confident to say u will be receiving superior care and access to vest.

So the real question may be where you choose to live in the US, it's a big country with lots of great places, it's just not New York City or California.

 

[Sakem]

If u figure u can get a really good job here, I would not worry about the health care system. Most good jobs offer excellent health care pakages. And while out of health care costs have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, it still may be less that what u pay in Britian. A big good employer usually offers a healthcare plan with $10-20 office visit copays and similar for prescriptions.

As of right now, your insurance premiums and not taxed and you can claim other medical expenses as tax deductions or set up a felxible spending account that is not taxed, but that could be changing if Obama ever "fixes the healthcare", or should I say, makes it even more of a mess than it is.

Also, even if you end up paying a little more heer in the US, I feel confident to say u will be receiving superior care and access to vest.

So the real question may be where you choose to live in the US, it's a big country with lots of great places, it's just not New York City or California.

 

[Sakem]

If u figure u can get a really good job here, I would not worry about the health care system. Most good jobs offer excellent health care pakages. And while out of health care costs have skyrocketed in the last 10 years, it still may be less that what u pay in Britian. A big good employer usually offers a healthcare plan with $10-20 office visit copays and similar for prescriptions.
<br />
<br />As of right now, your insurance premiums and not taxed and you can claim other medical expenses as tax deductions or set up a felxible spending account that is not taxed, but that could be changing if Obama ever "fixes the healthcare", or should I say, makes it even more of a mess than it is.
<br />
<br />Also, even if you end up paying a little more heer in the US, I feel confident to say u will be receiving superior care and access to vest.
<br />
<br />So the real question may be where you choose to live in the US, it's a big country with lots of great places, it's just not New York City or California.

 

[jaimers]

I am not well versed in all of the ins and outs of insurance but i do know that what sakem said is true that most big companies (and the more medium sized ones as well) do, typically, offer pretty good insurance coverage. $10-20 office copays is not across the board for insurance plans so yours might end up being more or less (mine is $25 for a general doctor and $50 for a specialist-aka my cf doc). prescription drug coverage prices will also vary depending on your plan.

Also be aware that most, if not all, insurance plans will probably have a pre-existing condition waiting period which means you will probably have to wait 6 months to 1 year for the coverage to kick in. up until that time has passed you can COBRA your coverage, which is expensive, but cheaper than having no coverage at all. Some companies (mine included) will waive that wait period if you can prove you've had insurance coverage for the previous year so thankfully i got the waiting period waived. I'm not sure how it would work coming from the UK to here.

I don't know really anything at all about immigration laws and such but you might want to try and secure a job here before you actually move. even though the economy is supposedly getting better unemployment rates are still pretty high and so getting a job might not be as simple a process as you're hoping. I hope it is! but it's definitely something to think about and look into before moving the whole family over here.

I live in North Carolina and we have excellent pediatric and adult cf centers in Chapel Hill. I've been going there almost my whole life for my care and the doctors are phenomenal. NC is a nice place too--easy access to the beach, mountains and everything in-between.

 

[jaimers]

I am not well versed in all of the ins and outs of insurance but i do know that what sakem said is true that most big companies (and the more medium sized ones as well) do, typically, offer pretty good insurance coverage. $10-20 office copays is not across the board for insurance plans so yours might end up being more or less (mine is $25 for a general doctor and $50 for a specialist-aka my cf doc). prescription drug coverage prices will also vary depending on your plan.

Also be aware that most, if not all, insurance plans will probably have a pre-existing condition waiting period which means you will probably have to wait 6 months to 1 year for the coverage to kick in. up until that time has passed you can COBRA your coverage, which is expensive, but cheaper than having no coverage at all. Some companies (mine included) will waive that wait period if you can prove you've had insurance coverage for the previous year so thankfully i got the waiting period waived. I'm not sure how it would work coming from the UK to here.

I don't know really anything at all about immigration laws and such but you might want to try and secure a job here before you actually move. even though the economy is supposedly getting better unemployment rates are still pretty high and so getting a job might not be as simple a process as you're hoping. I hope it is! but it's definitely something to think about and look into before moving the whole family over here.

I live in North Carolina and we have excellent pediatric and adult cf centers in Chapel Hill. I've been going there almost my whole life for my care and the doctors are phenomenal. NC is a nice place too--easy access to the beach, mountains and everything in-between.

 

[jaimers]

I am not well versed in all of the ins and outs of insurance but i do know that what sakem said is true that most big companies (and the more medium sized ones as well) do, typically, offer pretty good insurance coverage. $10-20 office copays is not across the board for insurance plans so yours might end up being more or less (mine is $25 for a general doctor and $50 for a specialist-aka my cf doc). prescription drug coverage prices will also vary depending on your plan.

Also be aware that most, if not all, insurance plans will probably have a pre-existing condition waiting period which means you will probably have to wait 6 months to 1 year for the coverage to kick in. up until that time has passed you can COBRA your coverage, which is expensive, but cheaper than having no coverage at all. Some companies (mine included) will waive that wait period if you can prove you've had insurance coverage for the previous year so thankfully i got the waiting period waived. I'm not sure how it would work coming from the UK to here.

I don't know really anything at all about immigration laws and such but you might want to try and secure a job here before you actually move. even though the economy is supposedly getting better unemployment rates are still pretty high and so getting a job might not be as simple a process as you're hoping. I hope it is! but it's definitely something to think about and look into before moving the whole family over here.

I live in North Carolina and we have excellent pediatric and adult cf centers in Chapel Hill. I've been going there almost my whole life for my care and the doctors are phenomenal. NC is a nice place too--easy access to the beach, mountains and everything in-between.

 

[jaimers]

I am not well versed in all of the ins and outs of insurance but i do know that what sakem said is true that most big companies (and the more medium sized ones as well) do, typically, offer pretty good insurance coverage. $10-20 office copays is not across the board for insurance plans so yours might end up being more or less (mine is $25 for a general doctor and $50 for a specialist-aka my cf doc). prescription drug coverage prices will also vary depending on your plan.

Also be aware that most, if not all, insurance plans will probably have a pre-existing condition waiting period which means you will probably have to wait 6 months to 1 year for the coverage to kick in. up until that time has passed you can COBRA your coverage, which is expensive, but cheaper than having no coverage at all. Some companies (mine included) will waive that wait period if you can prove you've had insurance coverage for the previous year so thankfully i got the waiting period waived. I'm not sure how it would work coming from the UK to here.

I don't know really anything at all about immigration laws and such but you might want to try and secure a job here before you actually move. even though the economy is supposedly getting better unemployment rates are still pretty high and so getting a job might not be as simple a process as you're hoping. I hope it is! but it's definitely something to think about and look into before moving the whole family over here.

I live in North Carolina and we have excellent pediatric and adult cf centers in Chapel Hill. I've been going there almost my whole life for my care and the doctors are phenomenal. NC is a nice place too--easy access to the beach, mountains and everything in-between.

 

[jaimers]

I am not well versed in all of the ins and outs of insurance but i do know that what sakem said is true that most big companies (and the more medium sized ones as well) do, typically, offer pretty good insurance coverage. $10-20 office copays is not across the board for insurance plans so yours might end up being more or less (mine is $25 for a general doctor and $50 for a specialist-aka my cf doc). prescription drug coverage prices will also vary depending on your plan.
<br />
<br />Also be aware that most, if not all, insurance plans will probably have a pre-existing condition waiting period which means you will probably have to wait 6 months to 1 year for the coverage to kick in. up until that time has passed you can COBRA your coverage, which is expensive, but cheaper than having no coverage at all. Some companies (mine included) will waive that wait period if you can prove you've had insurance coverage for the previous year so thankfully i got the waiting period waived. I'm not sure how it would work coming from the UK to here.
<br />
<br />I don't know really anything at all about immigration laws and such but you might want to try and secure a job here before you actually move. even though the economy is supposedly getting better unemployment rates are still pretty high and so getting a job might not be as simple a process as you're hoping. I hope it is! but it's definitely something to think about and look into before moving the whole family over here.
<br />
<br />I live in North Carolina and we have excellent pediatric and adult cf centers in Chapel Hill. I've been going there almost my whole life for my care and the doctors are phenomenal. NC is a nice place too--easy access to the beach, mountains and everything in-between.