How much doees health insurance cost in the US?

[Krome]

Say you buy in the most expensive package, I am talking everything.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_spe_per_per-health-spending-per-person

The US ordinary person has to spend $4200 per year on health care where as the UK is $1600. However the UK figure is for people who go private. I know I spend probably about £100 ($210) per year on stuff but that is more for hangover cures which I now no longer need!

Anyway does what we in the UK save on not having to pay out equal the same as what the US has to pay out in insurance?

Basically what the US saves in taxes by not having a NHS is this made up for in what they have to pay in insurance? I would have thought it would have cost more as the American Health care system is an industry with profits for the shareholders.

[Krome]

This site really freaks me out. Check the death rates from hand guns. The US is up their with Columbia who I always thought was the most dangerous country in the world.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mor_ass_by_han_dis_percap-assault-handgun-discharge-per-capita

[Krome]

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mor_ass_by_blu_obj-mortality-assault-by-blunt-object

I would have thought we would have beaten you on assaults with blunt objects because of our lack of guns...nope America wins again!

[Krome]

Actually back to the insurance thing please.

[Independent Harry]

How can you expect us to stay on topic when you can't in your own thread lol...

[Independent Harry]

I do insurance sales btw. The average family, to get catastrophic coverage on a PPO (which is a better plan with less restricitions than other types) would cost about $350 - $450/month. But then they also have to take care of deductibles and other things.

[Cat slave]

Lol.....I do that too if youve not noticed. One thought sets off another one
and away we go!

[Krome]

I do insurance sales btw. The average family, to get catastrophic coverage on a PPO (which is a better plan with less restricitions than other types) would cost about $350 - $450/month. But then they also have to take care of deductibles and other things.

What are deductibles? Thanks

[Independent Harry]

What are deductibles? Thanks

Money you have to pay before the insurance pays. So if you are hospitilized, you would be responsible for say the first 4 or 5k of the bill, then the insurance pays the rest.

[Krome]

Money you have to pay before the insurance pays. So if you are hospitilized, you would be responsible for say the first 4 or 5k of the bill, then the insurance pays the rest.

That bollocks. So you pay insurance then have to pay the first 4 to 5k of the bill? The average injury will be less than that. Insurance is only really for if you get cancer or some illness that is really expensive.

I go to out patient rehab 3 to 5 times per week and my only bill was for £15 for a course of medication to stop withdrawl symptoms and effects.

I thought it would have worked out that the increase in taxes in the UK would be the same as insurance in the US hence it was equal.

[Moby]

Looking at things in South Carolina the cost per family is about $900 a month to cover everything.

You can pay $450 a month with $5k deductible and that comes out close to about $900 a month if you need to use the deductible.

You can pay $300 a month and then a $5k deductible for hospital only expenses but then you have to pay for medicines, check ups and office visits out of pocket. If you have kids and have to pay the deductible it probably comes out to around $900 a month.

[Krome]

ok how much would it cost to go to the docs for a check up or just say you had a minor illness like the sh*ts?

[Moby]

ok how much would it cost to go to the docs for a check up or just say you had a minor illness like the sh*ts?
Any where from $85 to $125. That gets you about 5 minutes with a doctor that will write you a prescription for a $50 drug that you can purchase over the counter for $7 in most other countries.

You will get to see a nurse for about 5 minutes before seeing the doctor and you'll also see the administrator and fill out a 2 page form.

If you need an xray that's another $150.

[Independent Harry]

Looking at things in South Carolina the cost per family is about $900 a month to cover everything.

You can pay $450 a month with $5k deductible and that comes out close to about $900 a month if you need to use the deductible.

You can pay $300 a month and then a $5k deductible for hospital only expenses but then you have to pay for medicines, check ups and office visits out of pocket. If you have kids and have to pay the deductible it probably comes out to around $900 a month.

Most plans have Rx programs, so the only real out of pocket expenses are deductibles and doctor or office visist. I mean with the PPO discount you're only looking at 50 - $100 for a normal visit.

So the reality is, most people only get admitted to teh hospital once every 15 years in America. So the true cost is probably around $555.55 (only and estimate :taunt: )

Seriously, health care isn't that expensive in comparison, to say car insurance, when health care costs the insurance company much much more to administer.

[Moby]

Seriously, health care isn't that expensive in comparison, to say car insurance, when health care costs the insurance company much much more to administer.
When living in Alexandria and insuring 2 cars, 2 drivers my cost for car insurance was about $900 a year. Family health coverage was about that for a month if I wanted an RX plan and small co-pay for doctor visits.

[mwillman]

you say 555.44 is not expensive?

The average income in this country is around 28k a year. after taxes that around 1600 dollars a month. Do you really think 1/3 of ones monthly income is cheap?

[Krome]

Any where from $85 to $125. That gets you about 5 minutes with a doctor that will write you a prescription for a $50 drug that you can purchase over the counter for $7 in most other countries.

You will get to see a nurse for about 5 minutes before seeing the doctor and you'll also see the administrator and fill out a 2 page form.

If you need an xray that's another $150.


Jesus that is £100 per trip to the doctor for a minor problem. Maximum price in the UK is £15.

I have a solution.

Maybe stop spending on weapons and get yourselves a free health service

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mil_exp_dol_fig-military-expenditures-dollar-figure

[mwillman]

I couldnt agree more Krome, The problem is all the life hating right wingers who only care about themselves.

[Krome]

Where I live at the back of my house is two health centres. One for under 13 and one for OAPs. It works brilliantly as these are the two age groups most needing check ups etc.

You get some families going in atleast 4 times per month if they have kids for check ups etc. and if they have grandparents who need seeing to. So in the US this would cost $800 minimum.

Unreal how some Americans talk about invading Iran when they cant even afford to go to the doctors.

Iraq did have a free health service untill trade embargos were placed on the country by the US and UK after the first gulf war.

[Independent Harry]

you say 555.44 is not expensive?

The average income in this country is around 28k a year. after taxes that around 1600 dollars a month. Do you really think 1/3 of ones monthly income is cheap?

Well, if you want cheaper health care, remove the government from the process. Health care didn't start shooting up and up in cost until government started regulating it.

[Independent Harry]

Where I live at the back of my house is two health centres. One for under 13 and one for OAPs. It works brilliantly as these are the two age groups most needing check ups etc.

You get some families going in atleast 4 times per month if they have kids for check ups etc. and if they have grandparents who need seeing to. So in the US this would cost $800 minimum.

Unreal how some Americans talk about invading Iran when they cant even afford to go to the doctors.

Iraq did have a free health service untill trade embargos were placed on the country by the US and UK after the first gulf war.

Krome, how much do you pay in taxes?

[Krome]

Krome, how much do you pay in taxes?


I am in the high tax earning bracket again. I pay 40% http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/it.htm plus an annual £750 for council tax.

I could avoid loads of tax using various schemes but I dont.

[paulm]

Many Americans have their health insurance through their employers. For example, I pay about $2700 per year for mine and my wife's major medical, dental & vision coverage. The major medical has a $500 deductible. Doctor office visits cost $20. Prescription varies depending on the drug & the availability of generic names.
So covering 2 people per year... about $1350 per person...
This is paid on a 'pre-tax' basis through payroll deduction.

[Moby]

Many Americans have their health insurance through their employers. For example, I pay about $2700 per year for mine and my wife's major medical, dental & vision coverage. The major medical has a $500 deductible. Doctor office visits cost $20. Prescription varies depending on the drug & the availability of generic names.
So covering 2 people per year... about $1350 per person...
This is paid on a 'pre-tax' basis through payroll deduction.
Isn't that a form a socialism? I mean having insurance through your employer. Everyone screams about socialism but most people use it for health care.

[Moby]

I am in the high tax earning bracket again. I pay 40% http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/it.htm plus an annual £750 for council tax.

I could avoid loads of tax using various schemes but I dont.
In the US the highest tax bracket went from 38% to 35% and that's for single people making over $330k. Most families that get paid for work end up in the 25% to 33% tax bracket.

Business owners and investors pay 15% on most of their income. They got a 25% tax cut while most Americans got 10% to 12% tax cut.

Americans also pay 6% of the first $100k earned through salary for social security tax but don't have to pay that on investments. Employers also have to pay 6% tax on the first $100k paid to an employee.

What's interesting is that when we take your tax bracket and compare it to a high tax bracket in America and add our SS tax then the rates are about the same.

You get health care and pensions for your tax dollars. We get tanks.

[paulm]

Isn't that a form a socialism? I mean having insurance through your employer. Everyone screams about socialism but most people use it for health care.
Sorry it took a while to reply...

IMO no it isn't. I do have an option whether or not to participate, at what level (plan type), I have my choice of doctor/hospital, my Dr. can over-ride any decision, regarding my care, made by the insurance provider. Additionally, I don't have to be bothered with over-crowded clinics. I call in, set my appointment... I'm in and out of there usually within 1/2 hour.

I've also used the state run facilities before... there is no comparison. The level of treatment sucks... that is once you get seen after your three hour wait for the appointment you had set & forget about building a relationship with your doctor... you'll most likely never see the same doctor twice.

Nope... I don't believe the method I am using is a form of socialism.