Would you pay ?

[Barry]

Sounds awful Barry, is it still on track for the end of July? Did things change since?

Nope, still waiting...
Welcome back in your new persona.

[Borg Refinery]

There is some semblance of free healthcare here if you're a veteran, the VA provides care for them. The wife was US Army. They aren't perfect but they are much better than the NHS has been for a couple of years now from what little I've seen.

There's also Medicaid; some states have exceptions - ie you only get free healthcare if you are a pregnant mother or disabled - but in quite a few states they do seem to have functionally semi-free healthcare for all. In Mass for example they have 98% healthcare coverage.

[Borg Refinery]

It doesn't really work like that, and it's a myth that they check your credit card at the side of the road.

You either take out your own medical insurance or what usually happens is that you have a thing called copay with your employer, which is exactly as it sounds, your employer pays around 60% of the copay and the rest is taken out of your salary.
When we lived in the states our daughter suffered from a febrile seizure, nothing serious and quite common upon the age of about 7, anyway the ambulance came took her into hospital where she stayed for 2 days. Weeks later we got bills arriving, one from the ambulance dept, one from the hospital reception, another from X-ray dept etc. total was about $10K. Later we got a final bill of about $500 after the insurance had paid out, a damn site cheaper than paying national insurance contributions over here. If you have a heart attack the bills will be obviously more expensive, but unless you're having a heart attack every couple of years I think it's still cheaper.

They don't take your credit card at the side of the road, but people do things like take Uber to hospital because one ambulance ride can cost 250-1500 (that's with insurance).

A lot of people also sadly don't have medical insurance with their jobs over here. The min wage here in Atlanta in Georgia is something like $2 an hour for tipped workers.

That $500 bill is pretty cheap for medical emergencies in the state, but for the most part, people pay vastly more even for simple things here

Typical US Hospital Stay Costs 384 Hours of Work With Average Earnings - ValuePenguin

Typical U.S. hospital stay costs 384 hours of work, on average — here's how that's changed over time
Nobody wants to stay in a hospital overnight, particularly with high medical costs. In fact, the average per-day hospital cost is $2,883, according to health policy research site KFF. Although that figure is already high, the average stay is 4.5 days, according to Definitive Healthcare — meaning Americans rack up $12,974 in bills during an average stay.
With workers earning $33.82 an hour on average, that means Americans need to work 384 hours to afford a typical hospital stay. (Of course, that's if they're paying the bill entirely on their own, which isn't always the case.)
Over time, per-day hospital costs have risen dramatically. In 1999, the average hospital stay cost was $1,102 a day, meaning it increased 161.7% over 22 years. Accounting for average earnings may make this increase seem less severe, though. When we conducted this study last year, we found a typical hospital stay cost Americans 504 hours of work based on average earnings — 120 hours more than this year.

[Borg Refinery]

Blimey Dynamis was racking my brains (what little I have) of who you are

I often have the same problem with myself... I often forget who I am

Hence the name changes 

[Nick]

The UK private medical insurance system has a huge flaw few find until it is far too late

when a ramming from a cable tv idiot who thought he could barge his way onto a motorway roundabout wrecked my car and triggered my first heart failure, i was under a BUPA scheme administered by Barclays Bank.

obviously, the initial treatment in A&E was done under the NHS. Various follow up treatment was handled through the private plan, and inadmit the facilities they had fir what i would call rehabilitation therapy like the hydro pool were way beyond the NHS facilities and contributed to my recovery

however the piss poor plan element covering outpatient treatment was soon exhausted by the £500 a shout appointments and i soon ended up owong thousands, which i'm sure i didn't fully pay.

the stress of that started to impact recovery so i terminated the plan and went back to the less effective NHS

in short private health cate in the UK is available if you have a wife who youngsve just helped avoid a tax bill of £230million. Otherwise not so useful

Nearly Four years ago i started my current jib with a challenger bank. HR were first surprised when i refused to take up the private health care option, then aghast when i explained its shortcomings they had no understanding of

three months ago at the start of this tax year they issued a recommendation to any on the plan to seriously reconsider as the premiums were about to quadruple to cover a vast increase in outpatient appointment cover required by a vast increasevin fees....

I'm not with Bupa so can't comment. Mine is with Aviva and is £194 a month for my self wife and three of the children, fourth is married and just became a mum, my first grandchild on 3rd June ❤️. After my appendicitis in Canada a while back the recommended a CT scan, bloods and a colonoscopy, not going into details but the Nitrox was interesting to say the least. Whole thing was a breeze (if you've had one you'll know what I mean ). John, medical care only kicks in at secondary care and that's why you used NHS, I've not paid a penny apart from my monthly DD. 

[johnofgwent]

It doesn't really work like that, and it's a myth that they check your credit card at the side of the road.

You either take out your own medical insurance or what usually happens is that you have a thing called copay with your employer, which is exactly as it sounds, your employer pays around 60% of the copay and the rest is taken out of your salary.
When we lived in the states our daughter suffered from a febrile seizure, nothing serious and quite common upon the age of about 7, anyway the ambulance came took her into hospital where she stayed for 2 days. Weeks later we got bills arriving, one from the ambulance dept, one from the hospital reception, another from X-ray dept etc. total was about $10K. Later we got a final bill of about $500 after the insurance had paid out, a damn site cheaper than paying national insurance contributions over here. If you have a heart attack the bills will be obviously more expensive, but unless you're having a heart attack every couple of years I think it's still cheaper.

The UK private medical insurance system has a huge flaw few find until it is far too late

when a ramming from a cable tv idiot who thought he could barge his way onto a motorway roundabout wrecked my car and triggered my first heart failure, i was under a BUPA scheme administered by Barclays Bank.

obviously, the initial treatment in A&E was done under the NHS. Various follow up treatment was handled through the private plan, and inadmit the facilities they had fir what i would call rehabilitation therapy like the hydro pool were way beyond the NHS facilities and contributed to my recovery

however the piss poor plan element covering outpatient treatment was soon exhausted by the £500 a shout appointments and i soon ended up owong thousands, which i'm sure i didn't fully pay.

the stress of that started to impact recovery so i terminated the plan and went back to the less effective NHS

in short private health cate in the UK is available if you have a wife who youngsve just helped avoid a tax bill of £230million. Otherwise not so useful

Nearly Four years ago i started my current jib with a challenger bank. HR were first surprised when i refused to take up the private health care option, then aghast when i explained its shortcomings they had no understanding of

three months ago at the start of this tax year they issued a recommendation to any on the plan to seriously reconsider as the premiums were about to quadruple to cover a vast increase in outpatient appointment cover required by a vast increasevin fees....

[cromwell]

Nice to see you back Churchill

I personally don't hate the UK at all and certainly don't intend to vote Labour from abroad. In fact I'm quite homesick much of the time.

However, given I'm a lefty Nazi and far worse, I can see why you'd think I would

Blimey Dynamis was racking my brains (what little I have) of who you are 

[Nick]

Well put it this way, if you lived in America, you are either not covered because you can't afford the cost or you pay for cover. And even then, you can be lumbered with a bill for a small fortune if you're unfortunate enough that you have something major. The tax we pay on average per person here is lower than what the Americans pay on average per person. So in theory, say if they paid £300 a month more than us, then that's we should put in a savings account each month. Then pay private because you'll have the money. Probably Sky TV, Netflix, iPhones etc.. come before that idea!!

Suffice to say, if you can't afford American health insurance and you have a life or death illness, your waiting list is to when you die.

It's a shame Labour and Labourites hate everything UK.

It doesn't really work like that, and it's a myth that they check your credit card at the side of the road. 

You either take out your own medical insurance or what usually happens is that you have a thing called copay with your employer, which is exactly as it sounds, your employer pays around 60% of the copay and the rest is taken out of your salary.
When we lived in the states our daughter suffered from a febrile seizure, nothing serious and quite common upon the age of about 7, anyway the ambulance came took her into hospital where she stayed for 2 days. Weeks later we got bills arriving, one from the ambulance dept, one from the hospital reception, another from X-ray dept etc. total was about $10K. Later we got a final bill of about $500 after the insurance had paid out, a damn site cheaper than paying national insurance contributions over here. If you have a heart attack the bills will be obviously more expensive, but unless you're having a heart attack every couple of years I think it's still cheaper.

[Borg Refinery]

Well put it this way, if you lived in America, you are either not covered because you can't afford the cost or you pay for cover. And even then, you can be lumbered with a bill for a small fortune if you're unfortunate enough that you have something major. The tax we pay on average per person here is lower than what the Americans pay on average per person. So in theory, say if they paid £300 a month more than us, then that's we should put in a savings account each month. Then pay private because you'll have the money. Probably Sky TV, Netflix, iPhones etc.. come before that idea!!

Suffice to say, if you can't afford American health insurance and you have a life or death illness, your waiting list is to when you die.

It's a shame Labour and Labourites hate everything UK.

Nice to see you back Churchill

I personally don't hate the UK at all and certainly don't intend to vote Labour from abroad. In fact I'm quite homesick much of the time.

However, given I'm a lefty Nazi and far worse, I can see why you'd think I would

[Benson]

Well put it this way, if you lived in America, you are either not covered because you can't afford the cost or you pay for cover. And even then, you can be lumbered with a bill for a small fortune if you're unfortunate enough that you have something major. The tax we pay on average per person here is lower than what the Americans pay on average per person. So in theory, say if they paid £300 a month more than us, then that's we should put in a savings account each month. Then pay private because you'll have the money. Probably Sky TV, Netflix, iPhones etc.. come before that idea!!

Suffice to say, if you can't afford American health insurance and you have a life or death illness, your waiting list is to when you die.

It's a shame Labour and Labourites hate everything UK.

[Borg Refinery]

We have a situation where my wife is reporting deteriorating eyesight which may indicate a macular problem.
She could be going blind. The opticians referred her to hospital and they gave her an appointment for this month which just got within the 18 week limit.
Time is of the essence as if the problem is what they suspect, the treatment needs to be done within 6 months to be likely to be successful.
On Tuesday we had a letter cancelling the appointment and giving another appointment at the end of July.
I've suggested a private appointment, but she doesn't want to do that.

In answer to the question, if it was life and death, of course we'd pay. There's no pockets in shrouds.

Sounds awful Barry, is it still on track for the end of July? Did things change since?

[Borg Refinery]

I paid for a major op last year. The wait was a year or more but considered urgent and I was in a lot of pain. In my mind I was fortunate enough to be able to afford it and that gave my place to another who couldn't and took me off the list. I had my op within a fortnight.

Is that 2 tier? I guess it is but life is 2 tier or more no matter what area of life we look at. I don't believe Starmer and the dead look behind his eyes, suggests that he doesn't have a lot in the way of empathy. I guess the real question for him would be if you were in desperate need and not in Westminster with the favourable left wing hospital treatment proffered to MPs, would you be prepared to wait in pain etc? He spoke of his mother's reliance on the NHS but his notions are outdated when compared to the current disorganised profligate NHS. Perhaps he should have an in depth chat with his wife about her job may she could enlighten the fool.

I'm really sorry to hear this T00ts

I hope you are fully recovered now..

(This is Dynamis - now posting from the United States of E-Merica)

By the way, it's great to see you back here.

[johnofgwent]

In the leaders debate the other night Starmer and Sunak were asked if a family member was in need of an operation and was on a NHS waiting list would you pay to go private .
Sunak was a clear Yes I would pay, Starmer was an adamant NO saying he was NHS through and through . He came across to me like a Jehovah witness ,he would let his child suffer for his radical socialist beliefs .

If Ive got the cash Im going private anytime I can regardless of waiting lists so Im with Sunak on this as I think many of us would be .

Starmer is a weirdo lefty who I think could easily be dragged into the loony tune world inhabited by his deputy

But anyway are you paying or not ?

I have paid


Several decades ago before the ways round the queues were not so well known, £75 got me a 30 minute meeting with a consultant, on the referral from my GP who wanted a £40 bung for writing it.

Having had the consultation, i was told i needed minor surgery, which i could have at a time of my choosing in the private hospital the £75 had bought me the 30 minutes, which would cost £5000, or i could have it at some point in the next six weeks for free in the NHS hospital he worked in, the same place at which others were queueing for years to see this consultant because they either did not have £115 to spend on beating the queue, or did not know they could pay to do this.

The consultant said openly it made no difference to him personally or the NHS as i had now been assessed and found in need of the surgery.

of course i chose the NHS option. I also had an option to pay for a side ward for the 24 hour post op monitoring, which i took up, but on hearing two nurses discussing how they were going to manage a patient who needed extra monitoring equipment that there really wasn't room for on the 8 bed main ward, i told them to move me out there and give them the side ward. 

I did the same for my elder daughter, and was able to get my younger daughter's injury caused by a bullying thug envious of her Olympic standard swimming times, who assaulted her causing a fall down a steep slope that caused a crippling foot injury that put paid to her sporting prowess and would have seen her in a wheelchair for years while waiting for NHS treatment to be offered, treated under my Barclays BUPA plan.

These days NHS England offer NHS Wales practices these options in NHS munir surgery day care centres, taking welsh GP funding away from the incompetent welsh main hospitals and giving it to these highly efficient minor surgery units

[cromwell]

We have a situation where my wife is reporting deteriorating eyesight which may indicate a macular problem.
She could be going blind. The opticians referred her to hospital and they gave her an appointment for this month which just got within the 18 week limit.
Time is of the essence as if the problem is what they suspect, the treatment needs to be done within 6 months to be likely to be successful.
On Tuesday we had a letter cancelling the appointment and giving another appointment at the end of July.
I've suggested a private appointment, but she doesn't want to do that.

In answer to the question, if it was life and death, of course we'd pay. There's no pockets in shrouds.

Sorry to hear that and hope all goes well.

It is indicative of this country's decline we are turning in to a third world hole.

[Barry]

We have a situation where my wife is reporting deteriorating eyesight which may indicate a macular problem.
She could be going blind. The opticians referred her to hospital and they gave her an appointment for this month which just got within the 18 week limit.
Time is of the essence as if the problem is what they suspect, the treatment needs to be done within 6 months to be likely to be successful.
On Tuesday we had a letter cancelling the appointment and giving another appointment at the end of July.
I've suggested a private appointment, but she doesn't want to do that. 

In answer to the question, if it was life and death, of course we'd pay. There's no pockets in shrouds.