From The Hospital Room To Bankruptcy Court

[jazzbo]

from The New York Times 24 NOV 2009

NASHVILLE — Some of the debtors sitting forlornly in this city’s old stone bankruptcy court have lost a job or gotten divorced. Others have been summoned to face their creditors because they spent mindlessly beyond their means. But all too often these days, they are there merely because they, or their children, got sick...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/health/p...kruptcy.html?hp

[Godolphin]

A very disturbing article jazzbo.

I can understand your point.

As an Australian with a basically free national health system I find it hard to grasp that the richest country on earth cannot find a way to protect all of its citizens' health.

The US health insurance companies must be making some mind blowing money if everyone depends on them.

[aussiebebe]

I thought that's an interesting article, but I'm not clear why the OP cites medical bankruptcy as 'one of the main reasons' they live in Thailand? It's unlikely that the Thai health system will aid bankrupt foreigners.

My heart goes out to the people in the article and I see the vicious downward spiral; they get sick, can't work, lose their jobs, lose the insurance and go bankrupt; I can't however, help but think that the interviewees are living well beyong their means like the 31yo Covingtons who lost 'their home and both cars' and at least they actually got their treatment; the divorce courts will make the appropriate decisions about the money they owe. In contrast there seems little chance that the Thai system would offer the same solution to a sick foreigner. I can only assume that the OP is making his money go further in Thailand or something.

[jazzbo]

I only meant to say that the health care insurance system in the USA -- to which I have been excluded as an individual because of medical history until I qualify for Government-sponsored Medicare at age 65 -- is one of the main reasons that I live in Thailand... and the #1 reason I give to friends and family in the USA when they suggest that I move back.

[Baxer]

I only meant to say that the health care insurance system in the USA -- to which I have been excluded as an individual because of medical history until I qualify for Government-sponsored Medicare at age 65 -- is one of the main reasons that I live in Thailand... and the #1 reason I give to friends and family in the USA when they suggest that I move back.

But whit a medical history a health insurance will be expensive in Thailand to, if you even get one.

[jazzbo]

As I have posted elsewhere on Insurance Forum, I already have BUPA Platinum (with Travel Policy for USA visits) at published rates with rider on chronic condition which only requires inexpensive medication which I pay out of pocket. I have already had very good claims experience with orthopedic knee surgery (ACL) which was initially ridered for 2 years and surgery soon after the 2 years expired.

[aussiebebe]

I see your point, Jazzbo, I agree you are better off in Thailand with your BUPA insurance. Will the new reforms in the US improve the lot for those in similar positions to yourself? The article mentioned about measures to stop insurance companies from rejecting insurance on ground of medical history.

[Jingthing]

I see your point, Jazzbo, I agree you are better off in Thailand with your BUPA insurance. Will the new reforms in the US improve the lot for those in similar positions to yourself? The article mentioned about measures to stop insurance companies from rejecting insurance on ground of medical history.

The US insurance reform, if it passes, is scheduled to require insurance companies to accept and cover applicants with preexisting conditions (at standard by age rates) starting in 2014. This is also when the enforcement that all Americans are supposed to acquire health insurance (by one of multiple ways) comes into full effect. So it is a trade-off for the companies (they are the house and the house ALWAYS wins), a much bigger pool of healthy insured in exchange for taking care of those with existing conditions. It is nothing like universal coverage in the more civilized countries and it is completely unknown what the actual reality will be on the ground in 2014 in regards to compliance and enforcement. I think Thailand is not really so much better than the US if you already have chronic preexisting conditions. You may not even to be able to get any coverage at all, even with riders. In Thailand, IF you can get covered, the cost structure is much more attractive than the US, and that is better. Now I do understand why a poor country like Thailand doesn't have good quality universal coverage for all its citizens, but for the US, there never was any good excuse (except historical accident, irrational phobia of "socialistic" programs, and capitalist greed). Our great president Franklin Delano Roosevelt explicitly favored universal health care for America; Americans have been fighting that long for this basic social justice for our citizens, and we aren't even close yet. The so called "reforms" coming down the pike are probably better than nothing, but still very weak.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Jingthing

[jazzbo]

Coverage for a chronic condition is really not insurance as there is a 100% chance the Private Insurer will have to pay benefits and that such benefits can possibly if not likely exceed the funds received through premiums. Coverage for a pre-existing chronic condition is a Financing problem as there is no probability component and even Medicare treats it that way (as with kidney dialysis). I will not reply more specifically as I have been advised that I am IGNORE