The cost of medical services.

[Rodney Mills]

I still have facial bruises from my fall*of 12/4/23.

I couldn't go to the doctors as I couldn't wear my specs, therefore couldn't drive.

About four days later, though looking a mess, I went to the doctors to let her take a look, she sent me to the hospital clinic for head x rays.* They came back and she told*me I had broken my nose.* Duh!.

Now I have monthly*charges for Medicare which is the pensioners health insurance*which is $160.00. they have a deal with the medical services to pay them less that they charge those without insurance and then Medicare pays them 80%, I am responsible for the other 20%, whoever I have private insurance that pays the other 20%, this costs me $360.00 per month, So my total monthly health insurance costs me of $520.00.* So, I am covered against any medical costs.

If I have an emergency I can see my doctor straight away, if it's for a check-up it usually takes about three weeks. If it's serious*I go to the emergency*room and depending on the severity*I could be seen straight away, or I might have to wait a couple of hours to see a doctor.

Now, yesterday I got a bill from the hospital, it shows that I owe nothing, my two insurances paid.* The hospital bill for the doctor, emergency room and the x rays came to $7,310.00.
Had I not had insurance coverage that's what I would be billed.* My annual medical insurance costs are $6,24.00 so I am $1,070. 00 ahead this year plus costs that I haven't had to pay for a couple of doctor's office visits.
*
Now my brother lives in England and is a true-blue Brit. He raved about the National Health program; how wonderful it is and is the envy of the world.....until he got cancer. Though thankfully*his cancer responded to treatment, however he has to wait months for follow up visits, or wanting to see somebody when he has a pain somewhere.* Now he is pissing and moaning about the medical service.

I have cousins who also tell me they have to wait for medical treatment too,

Now, I think I prefer our medical system.* Nobody gets refused medical treatment. If you have no savings,*the medical claims company cannot seize your car or house, they can seize payment if you have funds over a set amount, but just don't want to pay.

Many of you have visited the States, and no one has complained of the streets being littered with sick and dying people.* Sure, there's street people that for various*reasons live in the street or under bridges but that's another position away from this thread and is a problem in every country.

Cheers, Rodney.

[vic mcclymont]

Rodney, I speak for me an several others I know. Diagnosed with Prostrate cancer, full body scans, MRI scans, to make sure it hadn't spread.
Treatment started months after diagnosis, started on hormone tablets, there monthly hormone jab for a year.
Monthls course of radio therapy (20 visits)
From initial diagnosis to given all clear, 12 months.
Six monthly blood tests for next three years
Friends have had the same treatment and expirience.
Vic
All on the NHS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

I have no complaints about he medical treatment here in Aus. Three months radiation treatment for Prostate cancer , since then I have had three monthly injections of implants in the stomach, at a cost of $1700 a shot, now reduced to $700/ That is over Twenty years. Down here in Coma the State Govt has just spent $20 million on extending the Hospital, were you can go for any emergency like a fall to get checked out, all for nowt, one has to book to see a Dr but takes maybe a week, but in it is urgent then again one can go to the Hospital, all this within a 5 kilometer radius.
The only payment we have is for medication at the chemist which is around $6 a script.
Best way is to try and stay healthy, by doing all the housework LoL.
Des

[James Curry]

Most who played rugby learned how to live with a broken nose. Free prescriptions here in England/UK for 60's+.
The NHS is being destroyed by Governments trying to privatise it through the back door. Not sure if this is the norm but I had been waiting 6 months for a CT Scan. NHS sent me to a private hospital and had the scan there, apparently if you are waiting 6 months they are legally oblidged to send you private.
Only beef I have with the NHS is trying to find a dentist to treat NHS patients. I broke a tooth yesterday, made the appointment, new dentist as my regular guy retired 6 months ago. £67 for a check over and depending on what is required £100+ for a filling and god knows what for a cap/crown.

[Doc Vernon]

Likewise here Des, have had as many know , 2 Heart Problems , first a Stent inserted about 10 Years back, then about 2 Years ago the massive Heart Attack, and a 6 way Bypass. Also have had other issues like fixed Detached Retina , Lasered back on to correct the sight! Big Operation on Arm Nerve to fix severed Nerve damage. And other things as well.
Now ALL and i mean all of this has been absolutely Free of charge, not one Cent spent out of my Pocket, all done through the Public Hospital System.
Also have had Teeth done at the Hospital, Extractions, and Full Plates fitted, again all free!
No i have no complaints at all about our Hospital System here in Aussie, and can only hope and pray that it stays that way, God help many of us if it ever should change!!
Cheers

Thanks Australia!!

[James Curry]

Regarding a CT scan, being on Warfarin I had a fall even though I was not sure if I bumped my head. GP phoned A&E straight in scan done. A bump on the head for those on Warfarin is a must just incase you have a bleed.
Many knock it but the NHS is a life saver for many. What annoys me though is those who fail to turn up for appointments. I see it time and time again while waiting to have my INR checked , GP's should have the right to charge those who fail to show.

[happy daze john in oz]

Noi complaints from me about medical services here in Oz.
Some great GP has looked after me with Prostate and other.
No messing about, if it looks a bit off then you will get an appointment to see a specialist.
Could have had radio treatment but told if that did not work they could ne operate dur to scaring, so had the op instead.
Sadly we do have a few who take advantage of our emergency system, a GP could fix their problem but they go to Emergency.
But some hospitals have got smart, if they think kt is only a GP type then you will be kept waiting for up to 8 hours to see some one and a fee of $10.
Have heard these hospitals have had a drop of some 90% in non urgent attendances.

[James Curry]

One thing I do find annoying here is the Junior doctors going on strike. These are supposed to be clever people. One would have thought before choosing a career one would have checked out the pay scales first.
Next thing (if we still had the MN) the deck boy will want the same pay as the master.
I do remember over hearing a Bosun talking to the Chief engineer. He wanted to know why I as a first trip Junior engineer should be on more money than a first trip deckhand.
Chief replied , he was a shore side apprentice who served his time in a ship yard in the engine shop. Also has an HND.
My attitude was the 4th Eng was on a lot more than me so I worked hard got an early promotion and that was my attitude.

[Rodney Mills]

Thanks, shipmates, for the great response. It seems we members representing the UK, Oz and the USA are quite satisfied with our medical system as is.

Cheers, Rodney

[Rodney Mills]

James,#4

The only reason I went to the doctors was because of advice from friends who said a severe push up from a smack on the nose can cause brain damage from say being punch-drunk to brain dead. I remembered back in karate lessons we were forbidden to strike towards the nose.

I was moaning about the high costs. It has cost me $3,650.00 dollars in Social Security and insurance premiums to cover $3,300.OO in medical costs this year, However, if I had what some of you guys have had, the bill would have run into the hundreds of thousands. And I could be responsible for 20% of it. So, I think it's worth me paying out for the additional coverage to have 100% coverage.

In any case, I ain't paying for it, my son is, it's less he gets when I keel over.

Cheers, Rodney