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Im kinda in a predicament here. My health insurance after this year is going to end with my parents thru BC/BS.

Im 21 and never had to deal with insurance before since its something my parents always took care of. What are my options if my work doesnt offer insurance to me?

None really. You'd have to get a plan on your own and I can tell you right now, it's cost prohibitive.

It's sad that it is this way in America, but it is.

In Canada ...medical health care (doctors, surgeries etc etc etc) is 50 bucks/person a month (also depends on province some provinces got it for free)....but you have to pay for prescriptions.Extended medical health care is around $30-60 (depends on employment) and then you dont have to pay for prescriptions at all (comes handy if you are really sick ...example people with diabettes type 1.)
Some employers are paying for both health cares ....but the first one you have to pay no matter what.

Talk to a few insurance reps, there are quite a few plans out there targeting the young and single age bracket, if you are healthy..what you'll want is a "catastrophic" plan, with high deductables, to keep things affordable. "Golden Rule" was a company that was a big player in this market back when I was your age..dunno if they're still around.

You will have to buy a plan on your own. I pay $90 a month for my coverage since I am self employed.

Start researching different plans, see what you need and figure out how much you are willing to spend.

Stick with bc/bs. They have a plan for people like you and me called right choice I think.

No annual deductible and a $40 fee to go to in network docs and a %40 fee to go to someone else.

Plan is 80ish a month.

blebs99 wrote:
It's sad that it is this way in America, but it is.

HUH, Sad that it's this way??? I don't understand

Rivas wrote:In Canada ...medical health care (doctors, surgeries etc etc etc) is 50 bucks/person a month (also depends on province some provinces got it for free)....but you have to pay for prescriptions.Extended medical health care is around $30-60 (depends on employment) and then you dont have to pay for prescriptions at all (comes handy if you are really sick ...example people with diabettes type 1.)
Some employers are paying for both health cares ....but the first one you have to pay no matter what.

How long does it take to be seen? What's the wait if you need surgery???

JC wrote:HUH, Sad that it's this way??? I don't understand

It's pretty simple, really. The best doctors and clinics in the world but have you really looked to see just how good our health care is for the average citizen? It's terrible. Why?

You can start by looking how things started changing back in the Nixon era.

It's a lot more complicated than just to point a finger and say that the AMA and the pharmaceuticals are in bed together but hey...


Of course it's a business but it shouldn't be run like Enron. We aren't talking about a commodity here.

Depends on how much money you make. I choose not to carry health insurance (thus leaving my medical care on the taxpayer's back should I need emergency room assistance, but hey, we can't have universal health care or anything now can we) because the cost is prohibitive and I work a job that doesn't offer it to anyone below a manager. Even at the manager level, the cost is still quite high and I may elect not to carry it at that point unless the cost drops.

You're young - right now, barring needing medications on a regular basis - you should be able to fly fine without any health insurance.

JC wrote:How long does it take to be seen? What's the wait if you need surgery???

Regular/Family doctor? Right a way, if you are special case they will send you to specialist 5-14 business days for appoitment, surgery ...depends what kind of surgery (what is your age, what other illnesses you have etc), if it's life threateaning right a way otherwise 1-2 months.
And you dont pay a single dollar, everything is covered in your health insurance.

In hospital private room is $50-100 bucks/night, regular room free of course, I have been in regular room and I cant complain, glad I didnt pay for private room otherwise I would go crazy.
And all the medications what you are getting in hospital are free.Only when you are walking out with prescription you have to pay $$.

I hope some of these guys are right. I really don't think you'll touch anything for much less then $800 to $1600 per month. It's friggin ridiculous unless your a member of group insurance and even then, it's expensive.

I'm all for government health care.
As long as I don't have to particapte in it, or pay for anyone else. I'll continue taking care of it on my own.

Rivas wrote:Regular/Family doctor? Right a way, if you are special case they will send you to specialist 5-14 business days for appoitment, surgery ...depends what kind of surgery (what is your age, what other illnesses you have etc), if it's life threateaning right a way otherwise 1-2 months.
And you dont pay a single dollar, everything is covered in your health insurance.

In hospital private room is $50-100 bucks/night, regular room free of course, I have been in regular room and I cant complain, glad I didnt pay for private room otherwise I would go crazy.
And all the medications what you are getting in hospital are free.Only when you are walking out with prescription you have to pay $$.

Aren't you, in canada taxed to death??

blebs99 wrote:I hope some of these guys are right. I really don't think you'll touch anything for much less then $800 to $1600 per month. It's friggin ridiculous unless your a member of group insurance and even then, it's expensive.

ya,my employer pays for me,but for my wife and my 2 kids I pay $500 a month

thats with a small company and Pacific Care

but I agree,on your own with no group discounts,it's crazy expensive.

not that $500 a month is easy!

Well, you are in michigan, which helps a little. God forbid you should live in New York or New Jersey.

Did you go to college? Your alumni association may be a source. Let me know the school and I can check for you.

Kip Patterson wrote:Well, you are in michigan, which helps a little. God forbid you should live in New York or New Jersey.

Did you go to college? Your alumni association may be a source. Let me know the school and I can check for you.

Kip is right. New York and Jersey would kick your butt with health insurance costs.

I would not take a chance going without insurance. Being young and healthy doesn't mean anything. You never know when you could sustain some sort of injury which would require hospitalization. It could happen to anyone.

I don't know anything about insurance in your state. Good luck on your search.

downhill wrote:It's pretty simple, really. The best doctors and clinics in the world but have you really looked to see just how good our health care is for the average citizen? It's terrible. Why?

You can start by looking how things started changing back in the Nixon era.

It's a lot more complicated than just to point a finger and say that the AMA and the pharmaceuticals are in bed together but hey...


Of course it's a business but it shouldn't be run like Enron. We aren't talking about a commodity here.

I don't know how valid any of your points are. Anyway I don't think It's terrible for average people. It may not be perfect, but what we don't need is socialized medicine!

JC wrote:I'm all for government health care.
As long as I don't have to particapte in it, or pay for anyone else. I'll continue taking care of it on my own.

What about a more open market kinda health care, where health inurance companies competed against each other for business like the car insurance companies?

YARDofSTUF wrote:What about a more open market kinda health care, where health inurance companies competed against each other for business like the car insurance companies?

It should be that way. If your employer purchases you a health insurance policy, he gets to write off the cost.. What if you buy it on your own. Just guess what kinda deduct you get ZERO!

JC wrote:I don't know how valid any of your points are. Anyway I don't think It's terrible for average people. It may not be perfect, but what we don't need is socialized medicine!

If you don't think it's terrible for the average citizen here, then you aren't paying attention. Why do you think there's so much controversy over it? It's shameful that the richest country in the world, could care less about health care for it's citizens.

It's not all about insurance. It's about how COSTLY it is. It's out of hand.

Bottom line and I'll say it again. The USA has probably some of the best care avalibale in the world. If your lucky enough to have good insurance OR rich enough to pay for it.

downhill wrote:If you don't think it's terrible for the average citizen here, then you aren't paying attention. Why do you think there's so much controversy over it? It's shameful that the richest country in the world, could care less about health care for it's citizens.

It's not all about insurance. It's about how COSTLY it is. It's out of hand.

Bottom line and I'll say it again. The USA has probably some of the best care avalibale in the world. If your lucky enough to have good insurance OR rich enough to pay for it.

I'm not rich, let's put that to rest. My insurance is decent, I jump hurdles etc....

Now.... I want some examples of this dismal health care.

JC wrote:I'm not rich, let's put that to rest. My insurance is decent, I jump hurdles etc....

Now.... I want some examples of this dismal health care.

The price of it.

JC wrote:
Now.... I want some examples of this dismal health care.

I don't roll over for demands becuse you disagree with me. I don't work for you and I'm not one of your kids.

Let's see...you just built a new house, have lots of toys. If your comparing yourself to "most" Americans, well maybe that's true for the circles you run in but without knowing a bit more, I'd be inclined to guess that your a lot better off than the average American.

Tell you what, I've done tons of Googling to prove points on here. This one is a no brainer. Google is your friend and if that's too much, check out (not that I'm a fan of his because generally I think he overstates his pionts) Michale Moore's "Sicko". I haven't seen it yet but from what I read, it's an eye opener.

I'm sure your mind is made up that health care in America is just fine. Sooo.....what you do from here is up to you. I'd only add that because some talking head tells you it's true, doesn't mean it is.

Roody wrote:The price of it.

I could go on and on about this.
Why is it so exensive? malpractice ins to start with. What about the smokers and lard asses?

downhill wrote:I don't roll over for demands becuse you disagree with me. I don't work for you and I'm not one of your kids.

Dude lighten up! Please!!!!!
You can dodge the questions all you want. You can talk about my house blah blah blah. it's 2400-2500 sq, big deal!
You have yet to list 1 example of the dismal state of health care in the U.S.

Moore, you'r kidding me right.

This country has possibly seen it's better days.
socialism is on it's way.
Reason..... Stupid voters who listen to libs who pander to them.

Some people think Health insurance is a RIGHT

JC wrote:I could go on and on about this.
Why is it so exensive? malpractice ins to start with. What about the smokers and lard asses?

I pay pretty high monthly premiums and my payment to go to the Doctor's itself isn't very good either. It is expensive man.

Roody wrote:I pay pretty high monthly premiums and my payment to go to the Doctor's itself isn't very good either. It is expensive man.

So do I bro.

JC wrote:I could go on and on about this.
Why is it so exensive? malpractice ins to start with. What about the smokers and lard asses?

Perhaps it is the cost of research, the latest test devices and surgical equipment, not to mention inflation.

Roody wrote:The price of it.

thats whats out of control and "dismal"

JC wrote:Aren't you, in canada taxed to death??

Taxed to death ..thats you ...you dont even pay taxes if you win jackpot in lotto over here .
We pay taxes 14% (once again every province got it different) and thats it.
You won lotton 100 mil ? Cool keep it no taxes but you will pay taxes if you put it in bank and the interest what you are getting from it.

No money for health care ? Ok, gov. will pay for your health care

You guys got down there some things cheaper, strong military, you are super power fighting 2 wars you cant even win after 4? years but thats it.I'm not trying to be ironic or get out of topic just ...you know

And dont start with smokers they dont kill people on the roads/crosswalks (drinking&driving) ....

JC wrote:Dude lighten up! Please!!!!!
You can dodge the questions all you want. You can talk about my house blah blah blah. it's 2400-2500 sq, big deal!
You have yet to list 1 example of the dismal state of health care in the U.S.

Moore, you'r kidding me right.

Dodging what questions. Dude, google it. Your a smart man. You don't need me to do your research. Making demands that I do? Laughable.

Read my disclaimer about Moore. I do realize he and Limbaugh are at polar ends but I only brought up his new movie ONLY because once again, it does get good reviews for being on the mark about health costs in this country. I'll state it again, I have yet to see it.





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David, while I would agree that inflation would be one reason for rising health care, I don't think that it's much of the pie.

I don't want socialized health care but I'd like to share my experience with my recent surgery:

I looked at my claims online, at my health insurance provider's website. It shows how much was billed to them, how much they actually paid and how much I'll owe. I had to cover a deductible + 10% of the total. My surgeon (not the facility, tha t was more, heh) charged about $3,000. The insurance company paid around $300-350 and I will have to cover about 35 bucks. Why aren't the costs just $300-350 from the doctor directly, if that's all he gets anyway? He'd make the same money and we wouldn't be screwing people over who don't have insurance..? I didn't get off with paying $35 bucks for a total of $11k surgery -- there's plenty they didn't cover from other providers (the facility and its staff, etc.) as well as a pain pump I requested to ease the recovery a bit. I just don't think it's relevant to this discussion so I won't bore anyone with it.

The problem seems to be, to me, that prices are artificially high unless you're the big bad insurance company who's struck a deal with the surgeon. I don't know though, I doubt it's the whole picture and there might be some great reason for it.

JC wrote: What about the smokers and lard asses?

What about them?

JC wrote:What about the smokers and lard asses?

Do you listen to Boortz? He's freaking hillarious (and a nut).

Amro wrote:Do you listen to Boortz? He's freaking hillarious (and a nut).

Of course I listen

JC wrote:Dude lighten up! Please!!!!!
You can dodge the questions all you want. You can talk about my house blah blah blah. it's 2400-2500 sq, big deal!
You have yet to list 1 example of the dismal state of health care in the U.S.

Moore, you'r kidding me right.

I'm sorry. A "2400-2500 sq" house, at least where I am living, is easily more than a quarter million dollars. $350,000 wouldn't be out of the question. And assuming that we go by the "you can afford a house three times more than you make yearly" standard, you - again, at least in this area - would make $116,666 per year. Minimum. In an area that the median income is $44,500. Don't start talking for one moment like you aren't rich because - unless you are one hell of an outlier, you're making serious cash... and yes, that's area independant. Just adjust the numbers for wherever you live.

The rest of us who are paid just minimum wage (or if lucky, a few bucks above it) and make $10,000 - $20,000/yr? You know, your average blue collar working joes? Health insurance costs too damn much to have. Even the most basic care with huge deductables can cost hundreds of dollars a month that we just don't have. So what's wrong with even the most bog-basic, bare bones health insurance for us?

Oh, that's right, it'd cause your taxes to go up one quarter of one percent, maybe, and that's so terrible of a price to pay for helping out your fellow citizens. But a war? Hey, let's toss tons of money at that and force taxes to have to go up quite a few percentage points to cover that debt!

Paft wrote:I'm sorry. A "2400-2500 sq" house, at least where I am living, is easily more than a quarter million dollars. $350,000 wouldn't be out of the question. And assuming that we go by the "you can afford a house three times more than you make yearly" standard, you - again, at least in this area - would make $116,666 per year. Minimum. In an area that the median income is $44,500. Don't start talking for one moment like you aren't rich because - unless you are one hell of an outlier, you're making serious cash... and yes, that's area independant. Just adjust the numbers for wherever you live.

The rest of us who are paid just minimum wage (or if lucky, a few bucks above it) and make $10,000 - $20,000/yr? You know, your average blue collar working joes? Health insurance costs too damn much to have. Even the most basic care with huge deductables can cost hundreds of dollars a month that we just don't have. So what's wrong with even the most bog-basic, bare bones health insurance for us?

Oh, that's right, it'd cause your taxes to go up one quarter of one percent, maybe, and that's so terrible of a price to pay for helping out your fellow citizens. But a war? Hey, let's toss tons of money at that and force taxes to have to go up quite a few percentage points to cover that debt!

I understand where you're coming from, Paft, but I think the solution isn't getting other people to pay for it; it's just taking the insurance companies out of the picture for the consumer and having a doctor's prices be what the insurance company actually gives them.

I'd have been able to cover 1500-2000 bucks for my surgery (over time, of course not all at once...that's what the surgeon and the facility will get total from me and my insurance company), but the billed 11,000 dollars is just outrageous, imho. it doesn't make any sense to me -- it's not like it's any more guaranteed business than if the doctors just offered those rates to everyone. I mean, someone who can't afford health insurance wouldn't likely be able to afford 11k either.

Edit: Also, I think this is something that the general populous will never really agree on -- there are too many opinions. The above is just that -- my rambling, probably not well phrased, opinion.

downhill wrote:
David, while I would agree that inflation would be one reason for rising health care, I don't think that it's much of the pie.

Combined with the vastly improved technologies and industrialization of medicine, it sure as heck does matter.

Now to fly off on a tangent.

Think of the prices of things back in 1979. Think what was available at that time. Consider the the simplicity of that era. Cancer was a death sentence. Arthoscopes were in their infancy (Read: open knee surgery, poor recovery). No NMR scans... No angioplasty... Simply put, there was less that insurance had to cover.