Police General Hospital Billing Question

[dean]

If it were just myself, I would go without insurance until I hit Medicare age in 5 years. While I feel lucky with my own health (and can back that up with no hospital visits in over 50 years and only 2 doctor visits in the last 40 years), I don't plan on playing Russian roulette with my family's health, except for the next 6 months (they will be in LOS from May 30 through August 8 and will have Doctor/Dentist visits then).

[Flashermac]

You cannot use Medicare outside of the USA. Means a trip home to use it. The same with VA. As a VN vet I have complete VA hospital coverage ... in the US. VA will only pay for my combat-related disabilities outside of the US.

[cavanami]

I dont know Mike, here is the quote I just got. I made myself born in 1960, so over 50, and added dental. $5k deductible is a bit steep though, I grant you, but not "waaaaaaaaaay off." You can do one yourself via this link:

 

https://www.bcbsnc.c...uote/index.htm#

 

Cheaper then I expected but shit coverage....you pay 30% AFTER you pay the $5000 deductible???

 

$300/month for not much!

 

Like my coverage (was), $100 deductible, no 30% co-pay.

The co-pay is a rip off.

 

Had my hernia operation. The bill was $10,000...UHC (United Health Care) got the hospital to accept $3,000!!!

 

Try to get the hospital down that much if you don't have the Big Insura behind you!!! Good luck!!!

 

Drugs AFTER you pay $500??? How about the max limits....$300/month is just a come-on, bait & switch, IMO.

[Central Scrutinizer]

You cannot use Medicare outside of the USA. Means a trip home to use it. The same with VA. As a VN vet I have complete VA hospital coverage ... in the US. VA will only pay for my combat-related disabilities outside of the US.

 

 

What about using the VA hospital in Manila? Short flight, and not expensive. Is it any good? Have you thought of using it and did any due diligence on that option? Thoughts/opinions/info Flash?

[Central Scrutinizer]

You cannot use Medicare outside of the USA. Means a trip home to use it. The same with VA. As a VN vet I have complete VA hospital coverage ... in the US. VA will only pay for my combat-related disabilities outside of the US.

 

 

Also, shows how silly this is really. Being able to use Medicare in Thailand (Phils, China, Malaysia, Indo, VN, etc as well)would cost the US government MUCH less money, same for Medicaid as well. If they just had a home office here in the embassy with a couple people working to ensure the hospitals and pharmacies were not over charging, or scamming and charging for nothing done, then it would easily save enough money to have a regional office and employees in places with good hospitals and physicians that charge much less for the retirees and those on Medicare to have things done much cheaper and save tons of money. Would make too much sense though I guess for government workers to think of and use to cut costs. Medical tourism for Medicare patients. I hear Norway actually encourages their elderly ill to do this, as it saves money, and, it keeps medical costs down in Norway as well, or so I am told.

[zzzz]

Also, shows how silly this is really. Being able to use Medicare in Thailand (Phils, China, Malaysia, Indo, VN, etc as well)would cost the US government MUCH less money, same for Medicaid as well. If they just had a home office here in the embassy with a couple people working to ensure the hospitals and pharmacies were not over charging, or scamming and charging for nothing done, then it would easily save enough money to have a regional office and employees in places with good hospitals and physicians that charge much less for the retirees and those on Medicare to have things done much cheaper and save tons of money. Would make too much sense though I guess for government workers to think of and use to cut costs. Medical tourism for Medicare patients. I hear Norway actually encourages their elderly ill to do this, as it saves money, and, it keeps medical costs down in Norway as well, or so I am told.

The problem with that is it sends US jobs overseas -- not a correct move in today's political climate in US.

[Flashermac]

If I remember right from what was said at a VFW meeting some time ago, only US vets who live in the Philippines can now use the Manila hospital, which seems absurd to me. What about vets in countries without a VA hospital? (Only reason there is one is Manila is because Filipinos used to be US citizens and many were US military servicemen.) There was something said being able to use the VA hospital in Guam though.

 

My understanding is the AMA made sure people could not use Medicare outside the US. They wanted to protect their monopoly. Sounds plausible.

[TheCorinthian]

Also, shows how silly this is really. Being able to use Medicare in Thailand (Phils, China, Malaysia, Indo, VN, etc as well)would cost the US government MUCH less money, same for Medicaid as well. If they just had a home office here in the embassy with a couple people working to ensure the hospitals and pharmacies were not over charging, or scamming and charging for nothing done, then it would easily save enough money to have a regional office and employees in places with good hospitals and physicians that charge much less for the retirees and those on Medicare to have things done much cheaper and save tons of money. Would make too much sense though I guess for government workers to think of and use to cut costs. Medical tourism for Medicare patients. I hear Norway actually encourages their elderly ill to do this, as it saves money, and, it keeps medical costs down in Norway as well, or so I am told.

 

I think the real issue would be liability is something went wrong. Lawyers would line up in the US to sue the VA for ANY sub-par care you got in outside the country that the VA sanctioned.

 

Now I bet if you signed away your tight to sue in US court, say, you could only sue the hospital, MD, ect., in the country of service with that countries legal system, now that would be a cost saver....!

[dean]

I'd have to agree that the real issue is that invested parties (AMA, hospitals and government) do not want health care outsourced. It would be easy enough to do on a trial basis in Mexico and gradually expand it. As far as liability, as I recall when my daughter went in for emergency care, there were several forms that were required that she or I sign that limited the hospital's liability in certain areas. For people that have paid into Medicare or have VA benefits that they can't use, I don't see then not signing a form releasing government liability, if they can make informed decisions on qualified Doctors and better than average rated hospitals (which the government could provide through a ranking system).

[Flashermac]

The US Peace Corps sends its people to Bamrungrad. They musn't be worried about being sued.