How much do you pay for Health Care?

I live in The Netherlands where I used to pay around 18 euros (20 USD) a month for full coverage health care just 3 years ago. Since then the insurance companies have monopolized the market and have put over 15 brands, so that it looks like it’s a free and competitive market. With lobbing they have achieved it that from the 1ste of January the health care will be a minimum of around 85 euros (100 USD) a month, for much less coverage than before. Full coverage will cost around 120 euros (145 USD) a month!

In brief

2002 I payed 18 euros a month for full coverage
2006 I have to pay 85 euros a month for 1/2 coverage and full coverage will cost around 120 euro

The government stake in this is that we should be happy, because other western countries pay much higher amounts. So I wonder.

How much does Health Care cost in your country?

 

It costs enough that I don't bother paying it.

 

This is a choice that we do not have. Buy law you must have health care

 

Gek, eh.

I'm with Agis and I was paying 120 euro's a month when I didn't have a job and around 80 when I did have a job. Stome particulier. I fxcking hate the way it works in Holland, but everyone else loves it and thinks it's a great system.

It does work much better than the NHS in England though, I suppose.

I don't fully understand the whole new system they are bringing in as from tomorrow (I'm not even in Holland atm), but I got told the government pays towards it this time eg; if you don't earn much or don't have a job - the government pays more than if you earn alot and have a good job.

Have I got that totally wrong? Lol probably..

 

We pay our taxes and something like 12€ when we visit a doctor. If it's for the flu or for heart surgery doesn't matter, though dental care is another bussiness and cost you an arm and half your leg just for an examination.

 

Basic health care is free! But I have extra health insurance for things like dental care, eye care, etc. Around $50.00 CDN/month.

 

...also in Canada, Ontario to be exact. We also don't pay for basic health care. I can see any doctor and go to any hospital free. I pay $350/month CAD (about $300 USD) for all the extras like eye glasses, dental, prescriptions, massage therapy, whatever. That is $350/month for the family plan, not a single plan and it is their most expensive plan. I didn't want any loopholes or cracks (no pun intended) in my coverage.

 

I will have health insurance by the end of next month. United American offers health insurance for about 100 bucks a month or a little less.

 

What you are saying is partly true. For the first year, the goverment will pay you a maximul of 34 euro a month (if you make less than 1000 euro a month). So making your healthcare a minimum of 50 euro a month.

From 2007 healthcare cost wil increase by 10% to 15%, making the minimum around 95 euro and full coverage around 135, without any extra from the goverment.

 

We pay it differently in UK.
I'm not too sure as I'm under 18 so I get everything for free really I think, but we pay about 8 or 9% of our earning roughly to National Insurance, which pays for the NHS (National Health Service). So about 1% of our earnings goes towards NHS I think.

It varies according to how much you make, those who make the most money pay more, ect. Alot of good companies pay for Private Health Care for families. I think it works pretty well, I know someone who was sent a chauffeur to take her to a private hospital, and had an operation done there, and then had the chauffeur to take her back home. All of this for free because the NHS waiting lists were too long

The main problem is the people who come to UK to get operations done, and then go back home again, but that should be sorted out pretty soon.

 

In Italy it's included in your taxes, but you pay a little fee everytime you need something done such as an x-ray, CAT, blood tests, dental care, a doctor to see you, etc.

There are waiting lists although not astonishingly long, but the idea is to know the right person, doctor or nurse or whoever can get you in quicker.

I know quite a few that's why I use Italy's health care when I need to and it's not an emergency.

I am often in England where you get assisted for free but waiting lists are ridiculous although the labours before the elections have always said that they would sort them out. That hasn't happened nor it's going to if not in many years. Nor would other parties be capable of sorting out the problem fast.

So in the UK you need private insurance or you might find yourself in trouble.

I am in the US right now, with no insurance actually. I hope nothing happens but they say that I can always work out a payment plan if I incur high costs.
(fingers crossed)

I'm not sure which system is the best among these 3 which I know slightly better than others.

I suppose that the American way is the best, provided you get insurance with the money that they don't take through taxes and don't use it for drinks and stuff.

I believe it'll be like that in many other countries soon.

 

Lets see. When I worked a real job, at first the company covered it, then I had to start paying it. I paid about 400 for myself, and over 500 for my son.

My SO pays 200 per month thru his company for himself, 600 per month for the kid. This does not include eye care or dental.

In the states you get a choice: You can eat, and hope to god you stay healthy and not have to visite a doc,hospital, eyedoctor, need glasses or have a cavity bill, and pay a car payment, rent, you know - basic living expenses.

~Or~

You can have healthcare, but you can forget about eating, paying rent, making a car payment, etc.

But you can get sick!

 

The almighty will take care of our health,
We need not worry about it! One of my friend who does not smoke sufferred with cancer... the fellow who is having all type of bad habits enjoying good health.... this is all because of almighty wish. will you agree with this statement?
Ramakrishna

 

if I was going to continue my health insurance from my previous employer it would have been $550 US/month, thats for medical, dental and vision

 

so if you find out you have cancer you won't try to fight it?