Those who live out of U.S. with Socialized Medicine

Marjolein · Nov 12, 2007

I don't really know what to call our system.

But i know that everyone here has private insurance. You can choose wich one you want, and can see what they cover and each insurance has a few different ones. It's how much you want to pay per month, the more you pay the more you get. They also pay for IVF/ICSI and things like that, although they would maybe do one round.

Every company has a basic insurance and then you can get extra. I have extra, the most you can get i think, and pay 120 euro's per month. With the basic you can get a specific number of physio visits and with the extra like i have i can go as much as needed.

With that i can get about everything. The only things they don't pay are vitamins (i think that's because lots of people take them as supplements while they don't need them, while us CFers need them for real but because it is taken so much we have to pay for it). Though the vitamins don't cost much, i would think about 30 euro per 3 months.
There are other things like my feeds, traveling to the hospital, saline flushes and such that they don't pay for as a standard but i need to get a letter from my doctor and then then the insurance does pay for it. They do that for a year and after a year i have to apply again.

I can choose which doctor i want. Although the insurance companies do have 'contracts' with everything. They have contracts with about every hospital. And with a lot of gp (our home doctors, the doctor we go to that is in our village, for a cold or with a sprained(?) ankle or anything. Everything that's not serious really...) and with physiotherapists. And when they don't have a contract they can 'make' one.. So as long as i can remember everything has always worked out.

I think our system is really good. You can choose where you want to go. Don't have to pay for the expensive meds. I will never have to worry about having to pay for my transplant, or for meds after my transplant, or for iv's... anything...

When you don't have insurance i think hospitals can't 'not treat you'. I think they have to treat you.

Waiting lists for surgery can go up to a few months... When i had to have an MRI for my back i called a few hospitals and had to wait 4 weeks i think. When i had to go the the orthopedic doc for my back my gp called for an appt. First the hospital said i could have an appt in a month, but my gp said that wasn't good enough. That i couldn't walk at all, that i was post tx, that i needed to exercise. And that way i could come the same week! So everything is possible <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
When i needed to see my CF doc i could come right away. And when i need to see my tx doctor i can too.
When i have to be admitted the ward is sometimes full.. Last time i slept in the 'family waiting room' for 2 nights. My doctor wanted me on his ward.. The ER said they could find a place another ward but my doc didn't want that. He said he was going to find a place, and he did hehe.

This is a long story i think, i don't know if it makes much sense.
But i think i should finish with this.. When i read some stories on these boards.. I glad i live here!

Marjolein · Nov 12, 2007

I don't really know what to call our system.

But i know that everyone here has private insurance. You can choose wich one you want, and can see what they cover and each insurance has a few different ones. It's how much you want to pay per month, the more you pay the more you get. They also pay for IVF/ICSI and things like that, although they would maybe do one round.

Every company has a basic insurance and then you can get extra. I have extra, the most you can get i think, and pay 120 euro's per month. With the basic you can get a specific number of physio visits and with the extra like i have i can go as much as needed.

With that i can get about everything. The only things they don't pay are vitamins (i think that's because lots of people take them as supplements while they don't need them, while us CFers need them for real but because it is taken so much we have to pay for it). Though the vitamins don't cost much, i would think about 30 euro per 3 months.
There are other things like my feeds, traveling to the hospital, saline flushes and such that they don't pay for as a standard but i need to get a letter from my doctor and then then the insurance does pay for it. They do that for a year and after a year i have to apply again.

I can choose which doctor i want. Although the insurance companies do have 'contracts' with everything. They have contracts with about every hospital. And with a lot of gp (our home doctors, the doctor we go to that is in our village, for a cold or with a sprained(?) ankle or anything. Everything that's not serious really...) and with physiotherapists. And when they don't have a contract they can 'make' one.. So as long as i can remember everything has always worked out.

I think our system is really good. You can choose where you want to go. Don't have to pay for the expensive meds. I will never have to worry about having to pay for my transplant, or for meds after my transplant, or for iv's... anything...

When you don't have insurance i think hospitals can't 'not treat you'. I think they have to treat you.

Waiting lists for surgery can go up to a few months... When i had to have an MRI for my back i called a few hospitals and had to wait 4 weeks i think. When i had to go the the orthopedic doc for my back my gp called for an appt. First the hospital said i could have an appt in a month, but my gp said that wasn't good enough. That i couldn't walk at all, that i was post tx, that i needed to exercise. And that way i could come the same week! So everything is possible <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
When i needed to see my CF doc i could come right away. And when i need to see my tx doctor i can too.
When i have to be admitted the ward is sometimes full.. Last time i slept in the 'family waiting room' for 2 nights. My doctor wanted me on his ward.. The ER said they could find a place another ward but my doc didn't want that. He said he was going to find a place, and he did hehe.

This is a long story i think, i don't know if it makes much sense.
But i think i should finish with this.. When i read some stories on these boards.. I glad i live here!

Marjolein · Nov 12, 2007

I don't really know what to call our system.

But i know that everyone here has private insurance. You can choose wich one you want, and can see what they cover and each insurance has a few different ones. It's how much you want to pay per month, the more you pay the more you get. They also pay for IVF/ICSI and things like that, although they would maybe do one round.

Every company has a basic insurance and then you can get extra. I have extra, the most you can get i think, and pay 120 euro's per month. With the basic you can get a specific number of physio visits and with the extra like i have i can go as much as needed.

With that i can get about everything. The only things they don't pay are vitamins (i think that's because lots of people take them as supplements while they don't need them, while us CFers need them for real but because it is taken so much we have to pay for it). Though the vitamins don't cost much, i would think about 30 euro per 3 months.
There are other things like my feeds, traveling to the hospital, saline flushes and such that they don't pay for as a standard but i need to get a letter from my doctor and then then the insurance does pay for it. They do that for a year and after a year i have to apply again.

I can choose which doctor i want. Although the insurance companies do have 'contracts' with everything. They have contracts with about every hospital. And with a lot of gp (our home doctors, the doctor we go to that is in our village, for a cold or with a sprained(?) ankle or anything. Everything that's not serious really...) and with physiotherapists. And when they don't have a contract they can 'make' one.. So as long as i can remember everything has always worked out.

I think our system is really good. You can choose where you want to go. Don't have to pay for the expensive meds. I will never have to worry about having to pay for my transplant, or for meds after my transplant, or for iv's... anything...

When you don't have insurance i think hospitals can't 'not treat you'. I think they have to treat you.

Waiting lists for surgery can go up to a few months... When i had to have an MRI for my back i called a few hospitals and had to wait 4 weeks i think. When i had to go the the orthopedic doc for my back my gp called for an appt. First the hospital said i could have an appt in a month, but my gp said that wasn't good enough. That i couldn't walk at all, that i was post tx, that i needed to exercise. And that way i could come the same week! So everything is possible <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
When i needed to see my CF doc i could come right away. And when i need to see my tx doctor i can too.
When i have to be admitted the ward is sometimes full.. Last time i slept in the 'family waiting room' for 2 nights. My doctor wanted me on his ward.. The ER said they could find a place another ward but my doc didn't want that. He said he was going to find a place, and he did hehe.

This is a long story i think, i don't know if it makes much sense.
But i think i should finish with this.. When i read some stories on these boards.. I glad i live here!

Marjolein · Nov 12, 2007

I don't really know what to call our system.

But i know that everyone here has private insurance. You can choose wich one you want, and can see what they cover and each insurance has a few different ones. It's how much you want to pay per month, the more you pay the more you get. They also pay for IVF/ICSI and things like that, although they would maybe do one round.

Every company has a basic insurance and then you can get extra. I have extra, the most you can get i think, and pay 120 euro's per month. With the basic you can get a specific number of physio visits and with the extra like i have i can go as much as needed.

With that i can get about everything. The only things they don't pay are vitamins (i think that's because lots of people take them as supplements while they don't need them, while us CFers need them for real but because it is taken so much we have to pay for it). Though the vitamins don't cost much, i would think about 30 euro per 3 months.
There are other things like my feeds, traveling to the hospital, saline flushes and such that they don't pay for as a standard but i need to get a letter from my doctor and then then the insurance does pay for it. They do that for a year and after a year i have to apply again.

I can choose which doctor i want. Although the insurance companies do have 'contracts' with everything. They have contracts with about every hospital. And with a lot of gp (our home doctors, the doctor we go to that is in our village, for a cold or with a sprained(?) ankle or anything. Everything that's not serious really...) and with physiotherapists. And when they don't have a contract they can 'make' one.. So as long as i can remember everything has always worked out.

I think our system is really good. You can choose where you want to go. Don't have to pay for the expensive meds. I will never have to worry about having to pay for my transplant, or for meds after my transplant, or for iv's... anything...

When you don't have insurance i think hospitals can't 'not treat you'. I think they have to treat you.

Waiting lists for surgery can go up to a few months... When i had to have an MRI for my back i called a few hospitals and had to wait 4 weeks i think. When i had to go the the orthopedic doc for my back my gp called for an appt. First the hospital said i could have an appt in a month, but my gp said that wasn't good enough. That i couldn't walk at all, that i was post tx, that i needed to exercise. And that way i could come the same week! So everything is possible <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
When i needed to see my CF doc i could come right away. And when i need to see my tx doctor i can too.
When i have to be admitted the ward is sometimes full.. Last time i slept in the 'family waiting room' for 2 nights. My doctor wanted me on his ward.. The ER said they could find a place another ward but my doc didn't want that. He said he was going to find a place, and he did hehe.

This is a long story i think, i don't know if it makes much sense.
But i think i should finish with this.. When i read some stories on these boards.. I glad i live here!

Marjolein · Nov 12, 2007

I don't really know what to call our system.

But i know that everyone here has private insurance. You can choose wich one you want, and can see what they cover and each insurance has a few different ones. It's how much you want to pay per month, the more you pay the more you get. They also pay for IVF/ICSI and things like that, although they would maybe do one round.

Every company has a basic insurance and then you can get extra. I have extra, the most you can get i think, and pay 120 euro's per month. With the basic you can get a specific number of physio visits and with the extra like i have i can go as much as needed.

With that i can get about everything. The only things they don't pay are vitamins (i think that's because lots of people take them as supplements while they don't need them, while us CFers need them for real but because it is taken so much we have to pay for it). Though the vitamins don't cost much, i would think about 30 euro per 3 months.
There are other things like my feeds, traveling to the hospital, saline flushes and such that they don't pay for as a standard but i need to get a letter from my doctor and then then the insurance does pay for it. They do that for a year and after a year i have to apply again.

I can choose which doctor i want. Although the insurance companies do have 'contracts' with everything. They have contracts with about every hospital. And with a lot of gp (our home doctors, the doctor we go to that is in our village, for a cold or with a sprained(?) ankle or anything. Everything that's not serious really...) and with physiotherapists. And when they don't have a contract they can 'make' one.. So as long as i can remember everything has always worked out.

I think our system is really good. You can choose where you want to go. Don't have to pay for the expensive meds. I will never have to worry about having to pay for my transplant, or for meds after my transplant, or for iv's... anything...

When you don't have insurance i think hospitals can't 'not treat you'. I think they have to treat you.

Waiting lists for surgery can go up to a few months... When i had to have an MRI for my back i called a few hospitals and had to wait 4 weeks i think. When i had to go the the orthopedic doc for my back my gp called for an appt. First the hospital said i could have an appt in a month, but my gp said that wasn't good enough. That i couldn't walk at all, that i was post tx, that i needed to exercise. And that way i could come the same week! So everything is possible <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
When i needed to see my CF doc i could come right away. And when i need to see my tx doctor i can too.
When i have to be admitted the ward is sometimes full.. Last time i slept in the 'family waiting room' for 2 nights. My doctor wanted me on his ward.. The ER said they could find a place another ward but my doc didn't want that. He said he was going to find a place, and he did hehe.

This is a long story i think, i don't know if it makes much sense.
But i think i should finish with this.. When i read some stories on these boards.. I glad i live here!

shamrock · Nov 12, 2007

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

shamrock · Nov 12, 2007

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

shamrock · Nov 12, 2007

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

shamrock · Nov 12, 2007

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

shamrock · Nov 12, 2007

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

Faust · Nov 12, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: shamrock

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></end quote></div>

You hit it right on the head with that "selfish" comment. But that's not the correct word. The correct word is $$$$$ profitability. Just like everything else, especially in the USA, everything is about profit. You either have to be totally indigent and make/own nearly nothing to get everything taken care of for you, or have a job with very good insurance and enough money coming in to cover all your copays, and premiums. Not to mention even if you do have good insurance from your employer (usually has to be a huge company, because they pay a ton to the insurance company, so they have a sweeter contract), if the medication is really expensive or might not be labeled for direct use for your illness (like collistin for inhalation)...Prepare for a fight, and you will almost always lose that fight unless you have friends in high places.

As far as medicare, it is a good idea, but that whole donut hole aspect sucks big time. If not free, they need to make it so everyone in this country, especially those who are old or disabled need to have access to quality health care just like those who are working for a large company/entity. I have the best medicare plan possible, but due to them not covering my inhaled medications due to them refering that cost to medicare part B, I essentially can't use my insurance, and have to rely on my mothers.

Give us a medicare where we pay a fairly low monthly cost like normal people with HMO/PPO's, and maybe subsidize those costs and our premiums...And don't give us any crap about what our doctors tell us we need to take. OR kick us out of the hospital if we were admitted more than twice in a year (true story, happened to me - via CIGNA).

The movie Sicko was dead on. The big insurance companies answer to their share holders, and it's all about the bottom line. How do they increase their profitability and keep their share holders happy? By denying people coverage of medication/hospitalization. It's simple math. And with anything else, it all comes down to $$$$$$$$. And it shouldn't be that way. No need for a free ride if you can afford low monthly premiums/copays, but atleast give us what our doctors say we should have.

Faust · Nov 12, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: shamrock

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></end quote></div>

You hit it right on the head with that "selfish" comment. But that's not the correct word. The correct word is $$$$$ profitability. Just like everything else, especially in the USA, everything is about profit. You either have to be totally indigent and make/own nearly nothing to get everything taken care of for you, or have a job with very good insurance and enough money coming in to cover all your copays, and premiums. Not to mention even if you do have good insurance from your employer (usually has to be a huge company, because they pay a ton to the insurance company, so they have a sweeter contract), if the medication is really expensive or might not be labeled for direct use for your illness (like collistin for inhalation)...Prepare for a fight, and you will almost always lose that fight unless you have friends in high places.

As far as medicare, it is a good idea, but that whole donut hole aspect sucks big time. If not free, they need to make it so everyone in this country, especially those who are old or disabled need to have access to quality health care just like those who are working for a large company/entity. I have the best medicare plan possible, but due to them not covering my inhaled medications due to them refering that cost to medicare part B, I essentially can't use my insurance, and have to rely on my mothers.

Give us a medicare where we pay a fairly low monthly cost like normal people with HMO/PPO's, and maybe subsidize those costs and our premiums...And don't give us any crap about what our doctors tell us we need to take. OR kick us out of the hospital if we were admitted more than twice in a year (true story, happened to me - via CIGNA).

The movie Sicko was dead on. The big insurance companies answer to their share holders, and it's all about the bottom line. How do they increase their profitability and keep their share holders happy? By denying people coverage of medication/hospitalization. It's simple math. And with anything else, it all comes down to $$$$$$$$. And it shouldn't be that way. No need for a free ride if you can afford low monthly premiums/copays, but atleast give us what our doctors say we should have.

Faust · Nov 12, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: shamrock

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></end quote></div>

You hit it right on the head with that "selfish" comment. But that's not the correct word. The correct word is $$$$$ profitability. Just like everything else, especially in the USA, everything is about profit. You either have to be totally indigent and make/own nearly nothing to get everything taken care of for you, or have a job with very good insurance and enough money coming in to cover all your copays, and premiums. Not to mention even if you do have good insurance from your employer (usually has to be a huge company, because they pay a ton to the insurance company, so they have a sweeter contract), if the medication is really expensive or might not be labeled for direct use for your illness (like collistin for inhalation)...Prepare for a fight, and you will almost always lose that fight unless you have friends in high places.

As far as medicare, it is a good idea, but that whole donut hole aspect sucks big time. If not free, they need to make it so everyone in this country, especially those who are old or disabled need to have access to quality health care just like those who are working for a large company/entity. I have the best medicare plan possible, but due to them not covering my inhaled medications due to them refering that cost to medicare part B, I essentially can't use my insurance, and have to rely on my mothers.

Give us a medicare where we pay a fairly low monthly cost like normal people with HMO/PPO's, and maybe subsidize those costs and our premiums...And don't give us any crap about what our doctors tell us we need to take. OR kick us out of the hospital if we were admitted more than twice in a year (true story, happened to me - via CIGNA).

The movie Sicko was dead on. The big insurance companies answer to their share holders, and it's all about the bottom line. How do they increase their profitability and keep their share holders happy? By denying people coverage of medication/hospitalization. It's simple math. And with anything else, it all comes down to $$$$$$$$. And it shouldn't be that way. No need for a free ride if you can afford low monthly premiums/copays, but atleast give us what our doctors say we should have.

Faust · Nov 12, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: shamrock

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></end quote>

You hit it right on the head with that "selfish" comment. But that's not the correct word. The correct word is $$$$$ profitability. Just like everything else, especially in the USA, everything is about profit. You either have to be totally indigent and make/own nearly nothing to get everything taken care of for you, or have a job with very good insurance and enough money coming in to cover all your copays, and premiums. Not to mention even if you do have good insurance from your employer (usually has to be a huge company, because they pay a ton to the insurance company, so they have a sweeter contract), if the medication is really expensive or might not be labeled for direct use for your illness (like collistin for inhalation)...Prepare for a fight, and you will almost always lose that fight unless you have friends in high places.

As far as medicare, it is a good idea, but that whole donut hole aspect sucks big time. If not free, they need to make it so everyone in this country, especially those who are old or disabled need to have access to quality health care just like those who are working for a large company/entity. I have the best medicare plan possible, but due to them not covering my inhaled medications due to them refering that cost to medicare part B, I essentially can't use my insurance, and have to rely on my mothers.

Give us a medicare where we pay a fairly low monthly cost like normal people with HMO/PPO's, and maybe subsidize those costs and our premiums...And don't give us any crap about what our doctors tell us we need to take. OR kick us out of the hospital if we were admitted more than twice in a year (true story, happened to me - via CIGNA).

The movie Sicko was dead on. The big insurance companies answer to their share holders, and it's all about the bottom line. How do they increase their profitability and keep their share holders happy? By denying people coverage of medication/hospitalization. It's simple math. And with anything else, it all comes down to $$$$$$$$. And it shouldn't be that way. No need for a free ride if you can afford low monthly premiums/copays, but atleast give us what our doctors say we should have.

Faust · Nov 12, 2007

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: shamrock

Our system is definately like Wuffles' Austrailian one.

If you're public you can still chose your CF doctor, but where I live our population isn't very big so the choice is limited anyway - but you can still have the one you want.

For my adult care, I went all the way public (even though I have insurance), I didn't see point in paying for stuff. We wanted me to go to a private hospital but...well hospital politics etc...I ended up getting treated in-patient in public hospital.

I might touch on a nerve here, but does a non-socialized health system not seem like its a bit....selfish? You know, you're out for yourselves - why pay taxes for someone who doesn't bother working etc, etc?

I can't get my head around it, and don't want to cause offence, just confused! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></end quote>

You hit it right on the head with that "selfish" comment. But that's not the correct word. The correct word is $$$$$ profitability. Just like everything else, especially in the USA, everything is about profit. You either have to be totally indigent and make/own nearly nothing to get everything taken care of for you, or have a job with very good insurance and enough money coming in to cover all your copays, and premiums. Not to mention even if you do have good insurance from your employer (usually has to be a huge company, because they pay a ton to the insurance company, so they have a sweeter contract), if the medication is really expensive or might not be labeled for direct use for your illness (like collistin for inhalation)...Prepare for a fight, and you will almost always lose that fight unless you have friends in high places.

As far as medicare, it is a good idea, but that whole donut hole aspect sucks big time. If not free, they need to make it so everyone in this country, especially those who are old or disabled need to have access to quality health care just like those who are working for a large company/entity. I have the best medicare plan possible, but due to them not covering my inhaled medications due to them refering that cost to medicare part B, I essentially can't use my insurance, and have to rely on my mothers.

Give us a medicare where we pay a fairly low monthly cost like normal people with HMO/PPO's, and maybe subsidize those costs and our premiums...And don't give us any crap about what our doctors tell us we need to take. OR kick us out of the hospital if we were admitted more than twice in a year (true story, happened to me - via CIGNA).

The movie Sicko was dead on. The big insurance companies answer to their share holders, and it's all about the bottom line. How do they increase their profitability and keep their share holders happy? By denying people coverage of medication/hospitalization. It's simple math. And with anything else, it all comes down to $$$$$$$$. And it shouldn't be that way. No need for a free ride if you can afford low monthly premiums/copays, but atleast give us what our doctors say we should have.

Emily65Roses · Nov 12, 2007