Health insurance

Hi, I'm writing from the UK, where the National Health Service has payed for pretty much all of my treatment and consultations -- and I dread to think how much it's cost. Just glancing over this forum I see that a lot of people don't have this luxury.

In countries without a uniform state health service, what happens to uninsured people who are unfortunate to have bipolarism? Do you have to sell everything you have before the state will support your treatment? What if you can't hold down a job at all? Can you be left completely destitute and without treatment?

Also, do you have to pay for your own consultations before you can be diagnosed in the first place? Surely, a lot of people must suffer and go untreated for a long time under this system.


I think I owe a great deal to the British NHS, I will strive to defend it from the selfish conservatives and freemarketeers.

As far as the money goes, feel lucky.

Here in the U.S. those of us not on government assistance, have to pay insurance premiums, plus deductibles, plus other charges. Depending on what your particular plan is, your insurance company kicks in after you reach your deductible ($5000.00 in my case) and pays anywhere from 80 - 100% of .....here's the kicker...ECCEPTABLE FEES FOR SERVICES RENDERED. Sooooo if your insurance comapny feels like the doctor or hospital is charging too mcuh, they won't pay that amaount. The only pay what they think is "fair". Therefore the balance is charged back to the patient.
There's also this little thing they call "pre-existing illness".
Here's how that works.... say you are diagnosed BP, you change insurance. Well, now you're not covered for BP related services for 12 months because it's "pre-existing"

So far since my wife as be diagnosed BP (5 months ago), I have been made responsible for $30,000 U.S. over my deductible, plus my deductible ($5000 per year), plus my premiums ($10,800 per year).

So you add all that up and I'm accountable for $35,000 U.S. for mental care. Add to that $360.00 month to the psychologist and $240.00 to the therapist for the wife and $120.00 for myself.... do the math I hate to add it up.

And, no, they don't just cut you off if you don't have it all paid for right away... Your bills just keep adding up if you cannot pay as quicly as they feel like you should, THEY SUE YOU!

Isnt' it ###$ up in the US? An industry (be it medical or mental health) that is supposed to be there to care for and heal ....is simply all about the money. Look at the insurance industry...they are the biggest criminals of all in my opinion.

I've got to agree with Angel on this one. This health care system we have sucks. My son gets SSI and is on medicaid. In turn, he has to put up with rude doctors and nurses from time to time. It ought to be better...but it's not.

Kathy

Our country sucks. If there's any country in the world that should be able to afford good health insurance, probably even free health insureance, for EVERY PERSON WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES, citizens or no, it's the United States. Get this:

90% of all assets distributed to the citizens of the United States of America are retained by the top 10%. The rest have 90%.

The rich ones are the ones who are sapping everything from everyone else. I only recently got my health insurance squared away thanks to my mother. I didn't have any before. Luckily I was almost always healthy, and if I wasn't it was something like strep throat.

It's pathetic that in other countries, which have much less resources than the United States does, their citizens are so much better than we are in terms of living conditions, resources, etc.

Why can't we just get it right? Maybe a small group of people who honestly aren't working harder than anyone else really don't matter that much.

My mistake: the much greater 90% have only 10%.

In general I LOVE the US and I'm proud to be a part of this country. I feel we have many advantages over some countries out there and I don't wish to belong to another country.....


but yes....when it comes to how they treat their sick (be it medically or mentally ill)....we suck. We just can't get it right can we? We'll spend millions and millions of dollars to help other countries but we just seem to say to hell w/ our own.

amen everyone... just falling into this lil financial hole myself... suggestions? i just finished a 2 yr school and am taking a break, so i hav no insurance! im probably schizoaffective, actually, but feel for now ill be okay with a bipolar diagnosis (most likely all-considering).. i saw a doctor already under my dad's (or my school's.. still not sure) insurance but he didnt hav a chance to diagnose me - does that make my illness pre-existing? i know ill need therapy, i want medication (but cant afford it w/o insurance).. i think im going to apply for blue cross, wait 3 months, and then get fully diagnosed... will that work?

-matt

hi all,

i'm in the process of getting myself on social security disability, and meanwhile i'm on my state's welfare system. i can't praise washington state enough for this; they've treated me with respect at all levels, they're paying for all my medical costs (including dental which is nearly unheard of in the US), and they got me hooked into the US department of agriculture's "basic food" program, which gives me a very generous lump of money to buy food every month. washington state's cash assistance program is not so very generous and i'm definitely struggling in that department, but i'm grateful for what i have.