questions re: American Health Care.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 10/27/2012

Just a reminder, there is no soliciting in this group!



~MoD Little Miss~

Rebecca - posted on 01/27/2011

Having grown up in the American health care system, then having spent my teen/adult life in Canada-I can say, first hand, that both systems are flawed. Neither is perfect.

I'm not even sure Obama's plan is the answer but at least someone is trying. I agree with whoever said Hilary's plan would have been better, she has a lot of experience trying to get health care reform put through there. Obamacare is confusing but I still think it's better than no reform.

Oh, in case, someone is going to say how is Canada's system flawed...you get what you pay for, huge waits, corners cut, brain drain (when all the good Can docs head south for money and glory) and a big lack of communication between docs when trying to get diagnosed, period.

Yes, it's awesome if you are one of those people who hardly ever gets sick, doesn't have a rare disease/chronic disease that require a big work up/a team of docs to work with you to get diagnosed and just uses it for emergency/GP care. Other than that, your best best is to head down to the states to pay for diagnosis quickly and come back up to Canada (with a letter from an American doc saying what you have) and get treatment. That's what I had to do after nearly 10 years of languishing in the socialized health care system. I know I am not at all alone in this, I've joined the groups, met the doctors who agree with me.

Bottom line, neither system is perfect, at least Obama has brought it into the forefront so we can begin to chip away at the massive task of reforming and reworking health care for all Americans.

Jane - posted on 01/27/2011

I live in Colorado and I work full time for a large corporation with great health insurance and a decent cost. The new health care bill actually helps me with my older children where they can stay on my insurance until the age of 26 now no matter what their educational status is (although one is in college and the other will be headed there soon) so they would have stayed on through college anyway. My insurance premiums actually went down for this year by a little bit instead of up which was great AND my coverage actually got better, although it was pretty great before. If I were to have a child now, with my current insurance (although not possible being I'm 51 AND had a hysterectomy), I would cost me 100.00 for the co-pay and that's it.

Kimberly - posted on 01/25/2011

My daughter was was born 2 months premature. I was working at the time and had insurance that only covered her for a month after birth (to add her it was $500 a month). She ended up having a 3 month NICU stay that was upward of 700K. The hospital social worker kept pushing us to apply for Medicaid but since we were both working we never did because our income was too high. Before my daughter was released the social worker approached us again and informed us that since my daughter had a low birth weight, 2 lbs 7 ozs, she automatically qualified. We were scared shitless over the hospital bill. Not to mention that since she was in the hospital for so long, I was forced to resign from my job. My daughter is still on Medicaid and is seen by the best doctors in Houston at Texas Childrens. Before we applied we approached SEVERAL private insurance companies that denied us because of her pre-existing conditions. My husband works for a small company that has 4 employees and does not offer insurance. I welcome and am excited about any healthcare reform that will not deny my daughter.

Jenn - posted on 01/25/2011

@Sherri - well, our government run health care is not like that. I can go to any Dr I want so long as they are accepting new patients. There aren't restrictions like that. However, it doesn't cover prescriptions, dental, or vision care (it used to cover that and chiro but not anymore). But, if someone is on welfare or on a low income they qualify for programs to cover prescriptions, or even if you do have a higher income but have substantially high medication bills for an ongoing problem, you can get help as well. And kids can get free dental care as well if you are a lower income family.

Kim - posted on 01/25/2011

My State, MA, was the first to make health care mandatory. We have State insurance since my husband works for a University. So far the insurance has gone wayyy up a month, now we have higher copays $25 each visit and have to pay for any tests done-lead, strep, bloodwork up to $250 per person per year. And my prescrptions have gone from $10 to $25 per month! It really has helped us out @@

Also my daughter needs speech therapy, everyone has trouble understanding her and she is 4. I have to see if the school will do it because my insurance will not pay for it.

And my cousin got laid off and then found out she was pregnant. No insurance and couldn't get any! She was bleeding and wasn't allowed to see her Dr. She was told by the State bitch that she should have thought about the fact that she didn't have insurance BEFORE she got herself pregnant!! Nice attitude, but if she was on her 4th illegitimate pregnancy or illegal she'd get the care she needed right away, right?!!

Sherri - posted on 01/25/2011

I deal with both private and gov't run insurance. I will deal with private insurance anyday over dealing with the gov't run insurance, it is a pain in the butt. I can't get my youngest into a dentist because I wasn't established as a patient before he went on gov't insurance. You only have a select few dentists or doctors that you can go to if you are on Medicaid unless you were already established as a patient first. It is a pain in the rump, give me private insurance any day of the week. Also if your child is on medicaid you can only get certain medications that are approved so your child must take only the approved ones first and if they don't work then they can prescribe the one that the doctor wanted to prescribe in the first place.

Shauna - posted on 01/25/2011

Im middle class, i have insurance. However still could not afford the Payments of the birth of my son i WAS paying i believe almost 600 bucks a month towards diff bills. The hospital then sued us b/c they wanted the money in full before baby was even born. when i talked to billing i said "it absolutly makes me sick that some women are on medicaid and dont pay a dime ... and i work hard for my money, im making big payments, and its still not good enough" she said to me "im not going to fight fairness see you in court"
When i see "low income" mothers on asistance and getting medicaid and they are dressed better than me. staying home with their kids with a big smile on their face... yep ... that gets under my skin a tad.

Kelly - posted on 01/25/2011

Medicaid will step in to pay for non covered medical expenses if your income is below a certain level, and it is a very low level. If you are middle class it is up to you to find the money. That said, even under the old law and the new, insurance agencies are prohibited from excluding coverage for certain medical conditions, except for pre-existing conditions and procedures deemed "optional", so if they had insurance, it would be covered.

That said, if it was a private insurance plan, they could cancel the service on the teen--like when you loose your driving insurance b/c you go too many tickets, you could loose your health insurance if you get too sick. The new bill is supposed to prevent this though.

Shauna - posted on 01/25/2011

Not sure. When i was teen i had ADD and Anxiety, Deppresion. My parents insurance didnt cover it. I think it covered it for 3 mo and thats it. Then they had to pay out of pocket. So my parents simply said "sorry not paying for it" To be on medicaid you have to fit in a certain income bracket. my parents could have afforded it... they just didnt want to pay it :/
BUT i do know insurance is changing ALOT----- we have bluecross blueshied and they cant deny you of previous conditions ... and cant deny mental illnesses. I had several ultrasounds when they said they would only cover 1. * i requested them b/c i had a previous miscarriage* my dr just said it was "nessesary' when it really wasnt and then insurance had to pay for it.
I guess it just depends on your insurance company!

Tara - posted on 01/25/2011

Okay what about a scenario where a family does have insurance but your teenager suddenly develops an illness and the treatment available and recommended is not covered by your insurance, will medicaid step in and pay for the treatment or do you have to pay out of pocket.

Shauna - posted on 01/25/2011

in nebraska, any pregnant mother without insurance gets medicaid for their child "welfare" basicaly. But if your job offers insurance you must get it for your child, b/c thats your job as a parent to provide insurance. No child goes without b/c if you are low income your child gets medicaid.... if your not ... then you obviously can afford to get your own insurance.

Tabitha - posted on 01/25/2011

Tara in my state we have OHP, which is the Oregon Health Plan. Every child that is considered low-income qualifies for this program regardless of pre-existing conditions. I do not pay a co-pay or cost of prescriptions. Everything that is medically neccessary to keep my kids healthy is covered in cost. I didn't pay any money to have both of my children as anyone who is pregnant and low income automatically gets this coverage. I do not get healthcare because our plan does not cover adults at this time. I actually use our local urgent care for any health problems that i may have. They have never turned me away for any minor problems because i cannot pay or do not have insurance.We have a great program for our kids in oregon and we are lucky that we do, considering that so many kids are uninsured!

Jenn - posted on 01/25/2011

Yes Sherri - I'd like to know how you are more in control of your health care.

Shauna - posted on 01/25/2011

Back in the day when my mom had me in the 80's my dad was in a union too and she said they paid no more than 300 bucks for everything. i cant imagine!!!!! i owe so much!!! we are only have 2 children b/c there is no way we could afford more than that!

Katie - posted on 01/25/2011

I can't imagine having to deal with a hospital bill after giving birth. My husband is part of a union and we co-pay into a medical plan. 100% medical 80% dental one eye doctors appointment a year and all of our prescriptions are covered after $100 per year. I think that they take something like $90/month off of his check. When I had my son the only things I paid for were my prenatal vitamins and our 3D ultrasound.

Shauna - posted on 01/25/2011

I didnt have a normal birth---- i had a c-section, 3 failed epidurals .... so i was on ALOT of drugs, anesthia etc. I seriously cant even tell you the total amount because i know everything was over 50,000$ ---- i also stayed in hospital for a week. I had an infection and was on meds the whole week as well.
after insurance went through we ended up paying close to 10,000 .. the hospital wanted it up front and ended up suing us b/c it was paid by time my baby was 6 mo old. Our insurance is close to 400 a month for a family of 4

Tara - posted on 01/25/2011

That's awful Kati. Right now my oldest daughter has to go see the ped. they suspect she has Hirschsprungs disease or Neuro-genic bowel dysfunction. She has already had blood tests, many GP appointments, and X-rays. She will also be going in for other tests for things like CF etc.
If she has Hirschsprungs, she will require surgery, possibly two surgeries. The procedure and recovery are lengthy and might require the use and care of a colostomy bag for a period of time while her colon heals.
This will not cost me one penny. Nothing. Not even if she requires after care in our home. We may have to travel to Toronto and there we will be reimbursed for our travel expenses. I could not imagine not being able to afford these things and knowing my child will suffer because of it.
So sad.

Rosie - posted on 01/25/2011

so for my children tara, i use a state funded healthcare program called hawk-i. it's to much for me to keep up with my children medical bills, and their premiums. my oldest child has ADHD, and social anxiety disorder, and i've been trying for years to get him properly diagnosed, but i don't feel he has been. anyhoo, his medication monthly costs me $200 for just one prescription, and he takes 2 others that combine to be about $200. his doctors visits are outrageous., he sees spec quite often.
my youngest has vision problems, and has had surgery already at the age of 2 to correct his crossed eyes. he also has diabetes insipidus (all 3 of my boys do) and that causes him to see specialists as well. my oldest boy in his first year and half on this earth would've cost me close to $100,000 to take care of. right now, i'm trying to get his social problems diagnosed properly and i've been charged for part of one of his visits, so now i have to hold off on getting him tested further because i can't afford it. can any of you imagine not getting your kid help because you can't afford it? apparantly mental health isn't a big deal here. sigh.

as far as being turned away, they can if it's not an emergency. i never have been and know of noone who has though.
and even if you have insurance, sometimes theres things that aren't covered. there was a story of a girl who needed a liver transplant and her insurance wouldn't cover it. they put it under a catagory that they wouldn't pay for. well the girls parents made a huge media circus out of it, and FINALLY the insurance company said they'd pay for it. except their daughter had died that day. a little to late huh? i hate how peoples health can be considered a privledge, and not a right to have. my kids have a right to be alive, i'm ashamed of our system.

Tara - posted on 01/25/2011

Exactly Jenny, nor do we have to scan our policy for possible loop holes before we seek care.
I just can't imagine wanting to pay hundreds of dollars a month in case you get ill.
What kind of control do you feel you would lose if you had socialized medicine Sherri?

Jenny - posted on 01/25/2011

You do not have more control over your care than I do in my system. For one, I don't need to clear it with an insurance provider before going to a certain hospital. I can go to any clinic or doctor in the entire country.

Sherri - posted on 01/25/2011

That is fine you feel that way Tara I was simply answering the question you asked and I am not for Obamas new healthcare reform bill either. I would rather pay for my insurance and be in control of my healthcare, that is my opinion.

Tara - posted on 01/25/2011

It seems you are not the majority Sherri. What about people who can not afford to pay hundreds each month "in case" they need health care? What if they don't get sick for a whole year, don't require anything beyond a check up?" Where do you think all that money goes? If there was no money to be made off of this system, it wouldn't be so costly to have.
Profiting from someone's risk of illness is disgusting and inhumane. People who already struggle just to make ends meet should not have to live in fear of becoming ill or fear of their child requiring any kind of specialized care.
That is a HUGE burden on parents who are already marginalized. Especially in the current economic atmosphere.
I am SO glad I never have to worry about paying for medical expenses, or paying for insurance that I might not even need that month.
My kids rarely get sick, we have no diseases in the family, but there are 7 of us here. If I were paying for insurance on a monthly basis, I would likely pay out thousands and thousands each year without need. Lining the pockets of the bigwigs at corporate HO.

Sherri - posted on 01/25/2011

Tara my husband and I have private healthcare. However, it was really expensive to add the family plan so we signed them up for state healthcare. No questions asked, other then having to supply pay stubs, birth certs, bills etc. I pay nothing a month for them they are covered 100% for everything and anything and Prescriptions are also covered 100%. We have review meetings every 6 mo's for their insurance.

Sherri - posted on 01/25/2011

Tara it cost me nothing to have any of my 3 babies in a hospital with insurance and we had 3 different insurance companies each and every time. As long as you were admitted obviously you are to give birth, their is no co pay.

Nikkole - posted on 01/25/2011

@Tracy probably an outrageous amount my sister has ADHD, bipolar,anxiety,and asthma and ONE of her prescriptions a month is $500.00 luckily my mom gets assistance or she would have to pay that out of pocket!

Tara - posted on 01/25/2011

@Tracey,
I would hazard a guess that you would pay..... too fucking much.
I can't believe the amount of profit that insurance companies claim every year.
Profit off of people's need, people's fears... the more I know, the more I find the whole system to be corrupt and twisted and the only people who benefit are the CEO's and other executives who run the big HMO's and Insurance companies.
Sad sad sad... you would be bankrupt and your children would still be paying off your medical debts after you die.

Tracey - posted on 01/25/2011

Wow, what would I pay as a family, 3 kids, 1 severely disabled and my husband has a chronic illness?

Kelly - posted on 01/25/2011

The average wait to see a Dr in an American ER is actually LONGER than in most countries with Universal care. This is because in the US, ER doctors are the only ones who cannot refuse treatment due to ability to pay, so you end up with a lot of people in Emergency Rooms waiting to be seen for simple things like a stomach bug or the common cold.

And I pay 28% income tax and 9.5% sales tax, so really, the tax increase for universal care would be negligent.

Amanda - posted on 01/25/2011

What is the avg wait in USA for ER visits? I speak to a lot of americans online, and it seems to me their wait times just to see a doctor in many ER's are twice as long as mine. I can be in and out of an ER in 3 hours depending on the issue here.



20000 to 30000 to save your child life? Crazy, I have a friend who had twins a year ago, one of them spend 4 months in ICU, had 2 operations (more to come), in the first year of life had over 100 doctor appointments with normal doctors and specialists. I couldnt ever imagine having to pay for that.



The whole concept that parents have to decide between paying rent, or food, or visiting a doctor is just really sad to me. I will keep paying my 15% income tax, and my 15% sales tax, to have the peace of mind, that if any of my children fall ill, I dont have to have a dime of money in my bank account to get them help.

Jodi - posted on 01/25/2011

" Essentially private health is a rip off unless you're a hypochondriac in Australia."



I don't agree. Private health insurance CAN be very handy. Firstly, I opted to go private to have my daughter, and I am really glad I did, because I was able to have a private room, and they also allowed me to stay longer than I would have been allowed in a public hospital (which was great, because my daughter was in the SCN for 10 days, and I was at least able to stay as long as it took to establish breastfeeding before I had to go home and commute the 20 minutes each way).



Also, my husband this year had to have a tendon reconstruction in his foot. This is considered an elective surgery, and there is a waiting list for orthopedic elective surgery of around 18 months. We couldn't wait that long - we have a business to run. With private insurance, we booked in a private hospital with a private surgeon, and we were able to plan the date and everything :) I wouldn't be without private insurance. But it DOES only cost us about $1300 a year. Simply because of our circumstances, it suits us to have it.



I couldn't imagine having to pay to have a baby. Even going to a private hospital with a private doctor I was only out of pocket $700. I can't imagine not having the choice of having a baby for free.

Lady Heather - posted on 01/24/2011

Paying to have a baby is just...awful. I know a friend of mine lost her job and insurance while pregnant and ended up having an emergency c-section and her daughter was in the NICU for a month. I can't even imagine the bill. It's sick. Sick sick sick. You know what's really awful? That baby did nothing wrong. He/she was just born. But it's cool to make that innocent kid's life worse by throwing this huge bill at the parents.

Nope, I don't see how this is right. What are people supposed to do? Stay home and die because they can't pay the c-section bill? Or birth at home alone? Obviously the only option is to go into debt. Lame-o.

Stifler's - posted on 01/24/2011

I live in rural Austrlaia. Scans are expensive and the only one medicare pays for is the 20 week one if the public hospital wrote the request form. Medicare doesn't even cover the nuchal scan. We pay private health and that doesn't cover the nuchal scan either. It does cover dental (way cheaper on private health, free check up every 6 months each), chiropractor, physio, gym membership rebate, optometrist, hospital cover for private hospitals (there is no private hospital in Emerald). My husband still insists that it will come in handy one day at $280 a month it fucking better. Essentially private health is a rip off unless you're a hypochondriac in Australia.

Kelly - posted on 01/24/2011

A lot of Americans actually support Universal Healthcare, but they do NOT support this legislation. This legislation is NOT Universal Healthcare, and unfortunately, the media has painted the picture that anyone who opposes the Healthcare Law opposes Universal Healthcare, which is entirely untrue. Yes, there are people who oppose both this legislation and Universal Healthcare, but the majority oppose only the new laws, and support Universal Healthcare. I wish more people understood that....

Oh, and btw, If Hillary had won the primaries, I would have voted for her over McCain in the last election despite the fact that I'm mostly republican. Her plan was good, and I think she would have had the guts to stand up for what she wanted in it. Her plan was completely different from Obama's--his plan just sucks. In fact, I am not likely to vote for anyone who was in office when it passed--republican or democratic--I'd like to see them all replaced.

Jenn - posted on 01/24/2011

I'll still stick with my higher sales tax to get the benefits I do - free health care and CCTB, HST rebates, Ontario Sales Tax Rebates.

Shannen - posted on 01/24/2011

I feel ripped off. I paid for everyone and hey got more expensive the more i had (i had GD so they did regular scans). Maybe it is because i'm rural? I have no idea but thats sucks big time for me.

Charlie - posted on 01/24/2011

Shannen I never paid for ultrasounds out of pocket ( although through tax I do ) but I was also living in the city where ultrasounds are bulk billed .

Mary - posted on 01/24/2011

Jenn - it's not just income tax...it's a cumulative thing with ALL the taxes you pay. Your sales tax (which varies with each province, I know), on average is at least DOUBLE what I pay . I may be paying insurance premiums that you aren't, but my trips to Target, the grocery store, the gas station, and liquor store are significantly less.



And Tara...I honestly don't know. I support the concept of Universal Coverage. That does not mean that I don't have my fears about how the quality and accessibility of the care I have now could be impacted. However, I have been gainfully employed, and insured, since graduating from college at the age of 21. I have had one major illness in my life (where I spent over 3 weeks in the ICU, and another 3 in a step-down unit). I think my total out-of-pocket cost was about $700.00. I live just outside of Baltimore, which means that there are over 10 hospitals within 25 miles of my home, including Johns Hopkins and The University of MD - both of which have prestigious medical schools. This means there is an overabundance of providers in my area. ER wait times are fairly short, and if I needed, say, my gall bladder out non-emergently, I could have that scheduled within the week.

The truth is, I'm fortunate, and I know it.

Kelly - posted on 01/24/2011

I read somewhere that Canadians pay like less than 5% more than Americans in income taxes and other taxes combined. I'd pay an extra 5% if it would buy my healthcare! In fact, I'd pay a lot more than 5%. We pay 28% in income taxes for our tax bracket. Even if we were paying 45%-50% it would be less than the cost of our income taxes and our insurance and actual healthcare costs combined.



Anyway, to answer some of the questions:

Insurance varies so much it is impossible to get even a ball park idea--my husband and son are insured for $422/month, they have $35 co pay when they go to the doctor and a $3000 deductible each before coverage kicks in. Prescriptions, vision, and dental are not covered at all. I am uninsured, I had some medical issues when I was younger and no insurance company will insure me. The only way I could get affordable, guaranteed insurance would be to go to work for a large company--the more employees a company has, the cheaper the insurance rates.



Children: Most states do have state funded healthcare for kids IF the parents have very, very little income. If you make too much, and you still cannot afford care, you are just screwed if your kid gets sick. (my family falls into this category because even though my husband has a good salary, my healthcare expenses are high due to the cost of managing my existing conditions).

If your child needs major surgery, you would pay for it. There are programs to help you liquidate your assets in those circumstances. If you have private insurance, major surgeries are usually covered at 70-80%, so if your child's surgery was $100,000, you would only pay $20,000-$30,000 and you can make payments, just like on a car.

Emergency rooms CANNOT refuse treatment, however, individual doctors CAN refuse treatment based on ability to pay. Also, once you are admitted to a hospital, your treatment options CAN be limited based on your ability to pay for them. If you die, your next of kin is responsible for payment after your estate is liquidated and turned over to the hospitals.



How much does it cost to have a baby? Roughly $8000-$20000 depending on your area if you do not have insurance.



Another tricky thing about the pricing of medical procedures is that there is nothing in American law that prohibits medical facilities from negotiating lower prices for insurance companies.

I have to have a blood test done every 6 weeks for which I am billed $90. I know for a fact that the lab billed my insurer (who covered labs at 100% at that time) only $42, and they bill Medicaid only $22. I find this incredibly unfair. All three entities should be billed the same amount.





I hope that answered your questions. I know I didn't really get into how the healthcare bill will change anything, but most of what I listed above, except for insurance agencies denying me coverage, will not be changed by this legislation.

Laura - posted on 01/24/2011

Well, I'm paying a lot more for this kid than I did my other 2 because I am now a SAHM and I have COBRA insurance since I quit work. (The COBRA is actually cheaper than my hubby's insurance). For my last birth my deductible was $300 with about $150/mo premiums. Now I have a $1250 deductible with $534/mo premiums. So yeah it's a lot more this time. Plus I have to pay 20% I believe after the deductible is met up to $5000.

The new health care bill does guarantee that they have to cover pre-existing conditions however the premiums for these are insane there is no regulations for what the insurance companies can charge. There is govt assistance for low income but a lot of people like me fall into that make to much to get assistance but don't make enough to really be able to afford it. It mandates businesses provide healthcare to all employees but a lot of small businesses can't get good group plans so they aren't hiring as they can't afford to pay for insurance and keep their doors open. This bill in no way is keeping premiums down it is in fact raising most peoples to cover the preexisting conditions people. And finally a lot of insurance companies are now refusing to cover some procedures that they previously did. This is just some of the things that people I have talked to have personally experienced since the bill got passed. I'm sure we will find some more.

Jenn - posted on 01/24/2011

Actually, if memory serves me correctly, I've had a similar discussion to this before, and our taxes in Canada are NOT really any higher than they are in the USA. We pay 15% income tax for our tax bracket. I can't imagine having to pay for a Dr's appt or to have a baby or surgery. I'd be bankrupt!!

Shannen - posted on 01/24/2011

I should sya though that our health care isn't exclusively free. I am considered low income. My Dr bulk bills for low income and disability. I had to pay for all ultrasounds. We also have to pay for any scripts we may need. Being low income i only pay AU$5.40 ( i think) per script. My out of pocket expense for each ultrasound was AU$14ish. I had to pay up front but then as soon as i was done i just had to go to my local medicare office and i would get 95% back.

Julianne - posted on 01/24/2011

paying to deliver babies?! wow.....no wonder abortion rates are high in America...

Tara - posted on 01/24/2011

Okay what about kids? What if the parents can't afford to go the doctors because because of deductibles and co-pays etc. can kids still get government health care? Without any exceptions at all?
What if your child needed to have major surgery?
If you have a private ins. would they cover it?
What if you don't have ins. who pays?
Can a hospital really refuse treatment to you if your ins. is not valid or you don't have any way to pay your bill?
I'm just curious to know how it really works when someone really needs care but can't pay.

Nikkole - posted on 01/24/2011

@Kati i have that card also you cant even buy Advil on it unless prescribed well thats how mine works.

Nikkole - posted on 01/24/2011

I just wish we could figure something out that was affordable so HOPEFULLY this new health care bill will hep (fingers crossed)!

Rosie - posted on 01/24/2011

my insurance ensures that we don't ever have to pay more than $1500 a year on medical expenses. luckily (or not, depends on how you look at it) the year i had my last child was the year my husband got into a major car accident. our deductible had already been met (the $1500 is for each one of us, so if $3000 was met by only one person it didn't matter) so we didn't have to pay anything. however i was told before hand that the fee was $5,000. that included all doctors visits and an epidural, and hospital stay.

i honestly don't know how this new healthcare law is going to affect me. our premiums are still the same, so nothing is affecting me money wise that i know of. we have a health savings account so we aren't allowed to buy regular OTC medication anymore with our HSA debit card unless we have a prescription. BUT i never bought it with the HSA debit card anyway, lol. i didn't know you could, i thought it was for doctors visits only, hehe.

Amanda - posted on 01/24/2011

anyone Nikkole I know everyone pays differently due to pre exsisting conditions, children, and amount of coverage, I just want a basic idea of the cost.

Btw my insurance doesnt have a deductible, or co pays.

Cassie - posted on 01/24/2011

I want to reiterate that we have wonderful insurance through my husband's work (he's a police officer and they really take care of their own) so this is not an accurate reflection of insurance for the average American family. Edited to add: the $75 per month for us does include dental and vision



Our insurance per month is $75 per month regardless of how many children we have. We have a $800 deductible per year and our insurance covers 90%. We are very fortunate though. No one in my immediate family has insurance through their work so they pay for individual insurance through an outside insurance company. They pay anywhere between $400 and $500 per month for two people. Their deductible is $5000 and their insurance only pays 70% after that.

Nikkole - posted on 01/24/2011

@Amanda i dont know if your asking a certain person or everyone but for me and my husband it is 300 a month not including eye and dental for both of us our deductible is $6000 and we pay the deductible then everything after that is covered but we NEVER go to the DR even when we are sick unless we are dying we cant afford to pay the Dr visits because with my insurance you pay the full drs visit there are NO co pays I WISH we had health care like Australia and Canada i may just move seriously!