[jlunfirst]

Since I have been participating daily for past 10 years, in an American dominant forum...originally on cycling, we talk about other stuff. Some of it is fun. And some not. Yes,they do talk about their own experiences with their own U.S. health care system. This group of Americans tend to care more about their own health/self-care. After all, we all love bikes. They are also less prone to conspiracy false believers.

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From Minnesota. She is 64 yrs. and working.

Supplement coverage is gonna run $255 a month plus Medicare part B approximately $170 per month...that's a lot of money
The Advantage plan that would include my docs and dentist..same deductible I have now...is $89 a month

I am more confused now.

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He below is around 68 yrs.

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A large part of the reason I'm still working.

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Yeah part B and and advantage program is $250. B and a supplement is 1/4 of my retirement monthly income...
Our medical system sucks.



She below is around 55 yrs. She has multiple sclerosis. She and hubby had invested FANG stocks, cashed and built house in Oregon.

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...and this is why I am extending our work years and havin some fun now. The medical part of the early retirement is completely unaffordable for a few more years. I got an estimate and it was 2 grand a month, in addition to all the co-pays.
I know several people that have gone to Mexico for medical prcedures, because it is too expensive here in the USA.

 

[ian]

We retired at 58/59.

In our travels we have met many Americans who wanted to retire at that age. The big issue preventing it for many that we met was the cost of medical insurance. It was not uncommon to hear number like $1600USD per month and on @ few occasions even more.

On two trips to Costa Rica and to Panama we met Americans who had retired early to those countries because of the cost of medical care to age 65.

 

[jlunfirst]

We retired at 58/59.

In our travels we have met many Americans who wanted to retire at that age. The big issue preventing it for many that we met was the cost of medical insurance. It was not uncommon to hear number like $1600USD per month and on @ few occasions even more.

On two trips to Costa Rica and to Panama we met Americans who had retired early to those countries because of the cost of medical care to age 65.

Thx. Not saying it solves our current problems.
But not enough for me to move to the U.S.

I just found out an aunt in San Francisco died @84 yrs. My mother's only sibling left. (there were 6 others). She like my mother, would have been low-income. No, unlike mother, aunt didn't have her own home. She died at home but I don't know the cause.

 

[TomB16]

In our travels we have met many Americans who wanted to retire at that age. The big issue preventing it for many that we met was the cost of medical insurance. It was not uncommon to hear number like $1600USD per month and on @ few occasions even more.

Good friends and an extremely nice family were paying $11,000 per month for health coverage, back in 2014. He ran a small renovation business and he had to work hard to make the health care payments. RE renovation was booming back then so he was able to cut it but just barely. Also, the entire family is obese and I think every one of them has type 2 diabetes, among other things.

He was a victim of the Affordable Care Act. The ACA reduced the cost of insurance to most Americans but it screwed over small business owners. Suffice to say, he was not a big fan of the policy.

I've never followed up to learn how that is going. I'm too scared to ask. He is still in business, though.

 

[jlunfirst]

Good friends and an extremely nice family were paying $11,000 per month for health coverage, back in 2014. He ran a small renovation business and he had to work hard to make the health care payments. RE renovation was booming back then so he was able to cut it but just barely. Also, the entire family is obese and I think every one of them has type 2 diabetes, among other things.

He was a victim of the Affordable Care Act. The ACA reduced the cost of insurance to most Americans but it screwed over small business owners. Suffice to say, he was not a big fan of the policy.

I've never followed up to learn how that is going. I'm too scared to ask. He is still in business, though.

For that very high premium $$$ / month, sounds like at least 1 person must have had some recurring health problems that gets treated.

 

[HappilyRetired]

Good friends and an extremely nice family were paying $11,000 per month for health coverage, back in 2014. He ran a small renovation business and he had to work hard to make the health care payments. RE renovation was booming back then so he was able to cut it but just barely. Also, the entire family is obese and I think every one of them has type 2 diabetes, among other things.

He was a victim of the Affordable Care Act. The ACA reduced the cost of insurance to most Americans but it screwed over small business owners. Suffice to say, he was not a big fan of the policy.

I've never followed up to learn how that is going. I'm too scared to ask. He is still in business, though.

I think they're victims of gluttony, not the ACA. Live a healthy lifestyle, get to a reasonable weight and then see if they can lower their healthcare premiums. That should be the number one priority.

 

[jlunfirst]

I think they're victims of gluttony, not the ACA. Live a healthy lifestyle, get to a reasonable weight and then see if they can lower their healthcare premiums. That should be the number one priority.

As Ian said earlier in his encounters over the years with americans... there is still a cost.

I'm not disagreeing with you that they created some of their own health problems.

But remember the lst post I started, was feedback from several Americans. lst 64 woman, is in good health and works out with a personal trainer even though she is living a modest life. She is single and simply works as a coordinator for a large multicomplex building condo for folks over 55. The American health insurance system angers enough ordinary Americans.

Anyway, just thought I'll give some snapshots earlier this wk.

 

[HappilyRetired]

I agree jlunfirst, I very much prefer our health care over the US system. My point was that if you're stuck with that system then you have to learn how to play the game to your benefit. If all of a family is obese and has diabetes and paying $11,000 a month then their first priority should be a healthy lifestyle. If the premiums drop, then in effect they are being paid to be healthy.

It's "easier" to be unhealthy in Canada because our healthcare system won't bankrupt you if you have a heart attack. I eat quality food, am a heathy weight, and exercise regularly for quality of life. If I lived in the US and faced increasing health care premiums I would do all that and probably more.

 

[ian]

One of my former US colleagues in his early/mid fifties was worried about being terminated, He was a senior area director. His concern eas health coverage 18 months out.

His wife had cancer. Her treatments/meds etc, were $1 mil per year. He had started prepping for the eventuality by slowly transferring assets to his children. The look back period for personal bankruptcies was 5 years according to him.

He said his primary goal was to get hired for the medical. Remuneration, etc. was secondary.

 

[londoncalling]

I spoke to someone this week who had their first major experience with Canada's first class health care system. After several days of going to walk in clinics they were finally able to see a doctor after a 3 hour wait for a non Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) medical concern. That doctor was unable to help them and they had to go to yet another clinic then next day where they were able to have some tests run. They have a follow up scheduled and still no clue as to their condition. In their home country they said that they would have been treated by the first doctor they saw. I do not know much about our system as it pertains to non Canadians, but this individual has Permanent Residency and health benefits through their employer. My only other experience with PR and medical treatment was close to ten years ago where I had to take someone from work to a minor emergency walk in for stitches. I think both Canada and the US have a horrible but much different situation regarding health care. In the US health care can bankrupt you unless you are extremely wealthy. In Canada, if you lose your doctor your screwed.

 

[kcowan2000_9498]

...In the US health care can bankrupt you unless you are extremely wealthy. In Canada, if you lose your doctor your screwed.

Our first GP died of a heart attack. The second one quit after 5 years. Now we have an SA doc who follows the rules to a T.

 

[TomB16]

I think both Canada and the US have a horrible but much different situation regarding health care. In the US health care can bankrupt you unless you are extremely wealthy. In Canada, if you lose your doctor your screwed.

For sure.

In both cases, we are told we have the best health care in the world and most of us seem to believe it.

In order to understand the ridiculous amount of overhead and bureaucracy in Canadian health care, I think people need to go to another country for treatment. Literally any country other than Canada or US. Even if someone just has a splinter removed in Panama, they will see a system in which you can walk in, see a physician in a very short amount of time, and leave after paying a comically low bill.

 

[HappilyRetired]

For sure.

In both cases, we are told we have the best health care in the world and most of us seem to believe it.

In order to understand the ridiculous amount of overhead and bureaucracy in Canadian health care, I think people need to go to another country for treatment. Literally any country other than Canada or US. Even if someone just has a splinter removed in Panama, they will see a system in which you can walk in, see a physician in a very short amount of time, and leave after paying a comically low bill.

There are a lot of reasons why some countries are inexpensive to live in. I've had good inexpensive medical care in Mexico but I wouldn't want to live there. 6 or 8 weeks in winter is enough.

 

[jlunfirst]

There are a lot of reasons why some countries are inexpensive to live in. I've had good inexpensive medical care in Mexico but I wouldn't want to live there. 6 or 8 weeks in winter is enough.

What didn't you like in a major way, that would deter you from living there permanently.

Just reading some of the attacks on tourists and the grip of the drug cartels, seems to be a very different type of violence. For sure, we have it here, in terms of gangs but our policing is probably a bit different also, etc. Probably best one knows a good Mexican local friend or 2. I'm not talking about ex-pats. ....I see them in a different social realm....in any country. They aren't there permanently so their "commitment" to a country is quite different.

 

[OptsyEagle]

One of the biggest problems with healthcare is that the people receiving the care feel that you really cannot put a price on human life, whereas the people providing the care, drugs, medical equipment etc., never seem to have any problem at all coming up with a price for it.

No country will be immune from the problems that arise from that disparity.

 

[HappilyRetired]

What didn't you like in a major way, that would deter you from living there permanently.

Just reading some of the attacks on tourists and the grip of the drug cartels, seems to be a very different type of violence. For sure, we have it here, in terms of gangs but our policing is probably a bit different also, etc. Probably best one knows a good Mexican local friend or 2. I'm not talking about ex-pats. ....I see them in a different social realm....in any country. They aren't there permanently so their "commitment" to a country is quite different.

We were in Mazatlan, there were no issues. One of my friends has been there for 4 years and said he has never seen any cartel trouble. He is near the tourist area and from what we've been told Mazatlan is one of the safer places to be. But just like many large cities in Canada and the US, if you stick to the safe neighborhoods and don't walk down dark roads late at night in sketchy areas you'll probably be fine.

But overall it's a lower standard of living that we would be happy with year round.

We like it but don't have a commitment either. We go to get away from winter but if the flaws start to outweigh the benefits we'll just look for a different place.

 

[jlunfirst]

For Ontario. We need to remember there wouldn't be better "pricing" for private in B.C. or Alberta.
THe whole article is useful to read. CIHI is a key website for a long time re collection of data by those conducting structured/published research analysis.

Do private, for-profit clinics save taxpayers money and reduce wait times? The data says no | CBC News

 

[jlunfirst]

And another from American below who are talking about retirement years.

Don't bother supporting privatizing health care. We're entering into a slippery slope for CAnada.

Excerpt above is from American cycling forum where I hang out for past decade. The person who has cancer is a retired teacher...who had ok salary.