I'm in the UK, and the total cost of the NHS is around £130 billion. With a population of approx. 60 million, that means everyone pays on average £2200. Call it $3500.
Of course, that's an average covering every man, woman, child, pensioner etc. People in paid employment are paying at least double that (in tax). It's not far from your $10000 figure.
Of course, on the up side the NHS is hassle-free. I don't have to worry about co-pays, or money at all. I just go when I need it.
I'm an American living and working in the UK. I think it's telling that I pay less in NHS contributions than I did for Medicare & Medicaid in the USA, and I can use the NHS now.
Of course, that's an average covering every man, woman,
child, pensioner etc. People in paid employment are
paying at least double that (in tax).
That $10,000/yr is just the monthly insurance premium. The patient still has to pay for things out of pocket. Because his premium is so high, I'm guessing GP has a very high deductible, eg $5,000, which is paid out of pocket. Then there's the copays, scripts, and misc fees.
I currently have awesome coverage (by USA standards) and still have to pay ~20% of visit out of pocket.
Actually, that last part I'm guessing. Because of the back and forth game played between insurers and providers, I get confused, and haven't expended the effort to figure out the actual monies exchanged.
One thing I didn't understand about your reply (sorry, I'm not an American!) is this: You say Because his premium is so high, I'm guessing GP has a very high deductible, eg $5,000 Surely if his premium is high, he would pay less for each visit to the doctor?
I'm sorry, you're right. My bad. Thank you for noting this.
Low premium usually means high deductible. GP's premium is probably high because his he's buying as individual or small company. Meaning he has little negotiating power.
Comments
I'm in the UK, and the total cost of the NHS is around £130 billion. With a population of approx. 60 million, that means everyone pays on average £2200. Call it $3500.
Of course, that's an average covering every man, woman, child, pensioner etc. People in paid employment are paying at least double that (in tax). It's not far from your $10000 figure.
Of course, on the up side the NHS is hassle-free. I don't have to worry about co-pays, or money at all. I just go when I need it.
Source for budget: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Health_Service#Funding
Source for population: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/...
I'm an American living and working in the UK. I think it's telling that I pay less in NHS contributions than I did for Medicare & Medicaid in the USA, and I can use the NHS now.
I currently have awesome coverage (by USA standards) and still have to pay ~20% of visit out of pocket.
Actually, that last part I'm guessing. Because of the back and forth game played between insurers and providers, I get confused, and haven't expended the effort to figure out the actual monies exchanged.
One thing I didn't understand about your reply (sorry, I'm not an American!) is this: You say Because his premium is so high, I'm guessing GP has a very high deductible, eg $5,000 Surely if his premium is high, he would pay less for each visit to the doctor?
I'm sorry, you're right. My bad. Thank you for noting this.
Low premium usually means high deductible. GP's premium is probably high because his he's buying as individual or small company. Meaning he has little negotiating power.