Healthcare in different countries.

Just wondering about healthcare in other countries besides my own and wondering about the differences. I have read a lot recently and see how it can be costly for some people and with others not at all. I have been treated both in Ireland and uk. In Ireland, I found that firstly it's partially free. I stayed in hospital for three weeks and paid about 500 to say in hospital for three weeks but I got paid by the government while I was out if work and I could pay it off with the money I got and had some to spare. This included also my treatment of prednisolone and then Ivig. Afterwards I had to wean off the pred so I had a couple of euros to pay on them. I In London, it was free as I was working and paying my tax. They were less worried about my condition even when it got lower to 16. (In Ireland in 2005 I was hospitalised at 19) but I got good healthcare in royal London hospital. It was all free though but I know how expensive Ivigs are(well over 7,000€). My question is I know it's expensive in America but why is it so expensive? D you need to get your own insurance or are you taxed? I want to go to America again in the future and I'm worried that as for a year my platelets were down. They are fine now but I just wonder would my insurance go up a lot too.
Although sometimes you have to wait to see consultants in this country it's pretty much free. How on earth do people handle the costs of going to hospital? And will they treat you if you have no insurance?

It sure is different here in America. Nothing is free. Most people have insurance through their employer IF they have a full time job or if they are covered under their spouse's work insurance plan. If they work part time, not at all, or have no spousal insurance coverage, most then have no insurance and have to pay for everything out of pocket. Some hospitals and doctors will treat a patient with no insurance, but many are turned away. People can end up owing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some people have great employers with fantastic insurance plans and have very few medical costs. It all depends on the type of insurance plan that the employer is willing to pay for and how large the company is.

I recently quit working due to illness and was legally able to stay on my previous employers health insurance plan, but have to pay $1,000 a month to keep it. I also have to pay the first $2,500 in medical expenses that I incur at the beginning of every year, plus co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions. After two years, I will be eligible for Medicare and that is free, but it barely covers anything and I will have to pay for supplemental insurance.

People who are out of work temporarily due to illness do not usually get paid, unless they had the foresight to purchase Disability Insurance prior to being diagnosed with an illness, or if their employers provide short-term disability. Most don't.

There are some government programs to help those without insurance, but you have to have income at the poverty level to qualify.

Very interesting. I am hoping others will respond to this topic as well. I would love to know what healthcare is like around the world!

Here in Canada, I don't pay for doctor's visits, or visits to the ER. My IVIG treatment was covered by Medicare, so I didn't pay for any of that. My hema dr. fought to get my Rituxan treatment covered, and he must have as it didn't cost me anything either. With Blue Cross, we only pay 20% of prescription costs. Hospital stays are also covered by Medicare, but only for a ward, ( a room with 4 people).

I live in the UK and would like to point out that our National Health Service is not free, but funded through our heavy direct and indirect taxation burden. Sorry to spoil the accepted view abroad folks but nothing comes free, but it does cover all UK citizens and most of EU visitors to the UK.The quality of the services available depends on where you live in the UK and each constituent "country" of the UK has its own rules.

Yes Canada is similar. We do get anything "medically necessary" covered for "free" which as you said comes from taxes etc. This does include all Dr visits, hospitals etc but does not include most prescription meds for at home etc. Some perscription drugs in some rare cases get funded through the government but not many. Most people have supplemental health insurance that helps pay almost all of the cost of this through their jobs but sadly there are more people then you might realize who don't. There are special government programs for people with lower income levels to buy the supplemental insurance but they do still have to pay or else they take their chances. If you dont need prescriptions and all the "health care" is covered it isn't so bad but if you need a prescription and dont have that insurance some people run into trouble. As a nurse I have cared for many patients who got sick and were hospitalized because they couldn't afford their meds. Luckily this is not too common and they generally then get set up with assistance but i am not sure people realize that happens here as we say our health care is free!!!

Thank you for sharing your stories!

There is a cost to everything. Another difference among countries is the government money paid to promote research into new drugs. Here in the U.S., it is largely funded by private companies hoping to patent a new drug, and trials of medications are heavily regulated, for the protection of those humans who might otherwise participate in a trial of an untested and dangerous drug. On the other hand, I wonder whether countries with more government funding of scientific research are quicker to clear new drugs. Years ago, I told a friend that if he heard we packed up and moved to Europe, he would know we found our "cure." So, I am curious: for those of you outside the U.S., how does your country's system compare with others with regard to bringing new treatments to market?
Norma

Interesting. Vaughandereck, I lived in London and understand its not really free haha. I worked for a year there but was taxed loads but when I needed it i could to the hospital. Technically I don't think it's fair to tax people so much. I would have preferred I got my own medical insurance and then I could have been seen quicker.

Wow sandi, that sounds crazy. The reason I say it is cos I moved back home (Ireland) as I could not afford to be out of work in London and here if you can't work you get reasonable benefit sort of like a health benefit of around 200 euro a week. In addition I can apply for a medical card or a doctors card which exempts me from paying any costs to go to see a doctor which is nothing compared to people in America. I would find it scary if I lived there and had to worry about bills. But as long as they see you I wouldn't worry about the debts. I mean, I'd be lost if my country was like that. Ok our health service may not be number one but at least they won't turn you away. I think there should be a health service for everyone no matter what. I know the us is large and people say its impossible but how can they actually get away with charging such enormous amounts for just getting a few blood tests or an x ray. Il be honest I think big drug companies are aware that diseases/illnesses are big business and they know people will try anything to get better. It's a sad state of affairs altogether. I'm so ignorant to the frustrations some of you must face when confronted with large medical bills. There should be no price on health.

I just find it terrible. we all should have basic human rights and one should be to be treated accordingly.
Cindyl I find it crazy that some insurance companies won't cover some things. Really, it should be mandatory that every company should provide health insurance to their employees. I mean it can't be that hard to get everyone to chip in with healthcare. Actually thinking about it, there should be like a seperate tax for health and everyone has to pay it. Sorry, I'm rambling on but how hard is it to do that.