Poll - ACTUAL non-subsidized heatlh care cost in ER.

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam I'm curious as to how you came up with this estimate.

It's just a ballpark figure. I'm estimating that 40% of my provincial taxes will go to healthcare and perhaps 5% of Federal taxes. $10,000 would cover it in my case because I have a very tax efficient structure and live in a province that does not charge healthcare premiums. Unlike Keith I am not counting anything for "sin" taxes since I am, of course, a saint!

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcowan What I did was compare what we pay for liquor, wine and gas in our annual San Diego vacation, and then the Canadian prices with sin taxes applied. Also Meadbh did not include Blue Cross (or equivalent) coverage for medical, dental, eyesglasses and drugs. If it covers all that and continues after retirement, then it is not what was asked for here. Of course, travel health insurance is extra if any vacation time in the US is planned.

True, I did not make allowances for liquor, wine and gas. In my case gas would be the principal one, and most of it would be jet fuel. I did not include Blue Cross because my employer pays for that. After retirement I will self insure for dental, etc. I have a personal health insurance plan which enables me to charge healthcare expenses to my corporation, which means they will be tax deductible expenses as long as I keep the corporation active. Yes, I forgot to account for travel insurance. I now purchase a comprehensive policy through my corporation for $84 per year.

No, I'm not making this up!

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I know nothing about birds, but I suggest that before you make any decisions you consider the following questions:

- Do these birds have EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATED health coverage? Is there a WAITING TIME for watery-poo syndrome?

- Why should stinky-poo suffer because of chubby bird's CHOICE to be OBESE?

- Do you really think we would have a place like MAYO FOR BIRDIES if we covered ALL birds REGARDLESS of their ability to chirp?

Glad to be of assistance.

[dumpster56]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustMeUC I am female, 40 years old, I was quoted $10,560 a year 5K deductible for just myself. I can't imagine what it might be like in 15 years!!! I had a couple health issues a couple years back and 2 surgeries and I guess that is what threw me into the high cost arena. I decided to keep working for the time being......

This is why our system is unsustainable.

The cost for health insurance is absolutly ridiculus. Not one american should have to declare bankruptsy or loose their house just because they get sick.

[Sam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh It's just a ballpark figure. I'm estimating that 40% of my provincial taxes will go to healthcare and perhaps 5% of Federal taxes. $10,000 would cover it in my case because I have a very tax efficient structure and live in a province that does not charge healthcare premiums. Unlike Keith I am not counting anything for "sin" taxes since I am, of course, a saint!

That's why I asked. So it's your ballpark estimate contribution to the Canadian health system, but not your cost. If you were making 2x as much money your contribution would be higher, but the cost is the same.

As far as "saint" is concerned, I have only two words "yeah, right"

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa I know nothing about birds, but I suggest that before you make any decisions you consider the following questions: - Do these birds have EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATED health coverage? Is there a WAITING TIME for watery-poo syndrome? - Why should stinky-poo suffer because of chubby bird's CHOICE to be OBESE? - Do you really think we would have a place like MAYO FOR BIRDIES if we covered ALL birds REGARDLESS of their ability to chirp? Glad to be of assistance.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Pretty good, Rich.

Wait until Martha realizes that she doesnt have two birds. She has four billion.

And they all have ridiculous expectations about their future care.

[packrat44]

Quote:

Originally Posted by USK Coastie Number of People : 2 Ages 57 and 55 Annual premium $6030 Dedeuctable: $3000 each Pharmacy paid first $3000 Location: Usk WA. Cola Option from Employer $13000/yr

USK Coastie,

Why aren't you and DW using Tricare since you are prior military? Tricare Prime is only $480/yr for medical for self and DW. Dental is about $900/yr.

[maddythebeagle]

...I suspect that the "insurance troll" will never get a chance to read your comments since he only has time to monitor comments in 1-2 threads at a time 24 hours a day for new posts...come to think of it, he didnt start posting until Rich started his new board....

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Ah hah...so its Rich's fault.

In fact...now that you mention it...I've never seen the two of them together at the same time...whaaaaaa?

Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Bogusfacts?

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddythebeagle ...I suspect that the "insurance troll" will never get a chance to read your comments since he only has time to monitor comments in 1-2 threads at a time 24 hours a day for new posts...come to think of it, he didnt start posting until Rich started his new board....

By the way, since accuracy is a critical and highly valued part of every discussion on this issue, MKLD is a woman.

[cute fuzzy bunny]

So on top of everything else, you're cross dressing?

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh It's just a ballpark figure. I'm estimating that 40% of my provincial taxes will go to healthcare and perhaps 5% of Federal taxes. $10,000 would cover it in my case because I have a very tax efficient structure and live in a province that does not charge healthcare premiums. Unlike Keith I am not counting anything for "sin" taxes since I am, of course, a saint!

Actually we are closer than you think. Because the sin taxes go into general revenues, and now that we are retired, we are able to minimize general taxation. But the sin taxes go on forever.

Also I may have overstated them because we spend 4 months each year somewhere else. But the $10,000 figure is probably a good one.

[Rustward]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha --As of January 1, 2008 we will have COBRA for 18 months. Monthly premium for family is $1086 or roughly $13,000 a year. Deductible and copays as above. --After COBRA expires July 1 of 2009 we will be on the Minnesota risk pool. If we were enrolled now, my premium would be $377/month and Greg's $466/month, each with a $1000 deductible, $200 of which is for drugs. Total premium cost per year is $10,116. Maximum out of pocket is $3000 per person. Premium depends on age and whether you smoke. We get older, but don't smoke.

Martha, you may consider this a highly personal question and I will understand if you choose not to answer it. Why are you going directly from COBRA to the risk pool?

[Sparky]

Two people: 48 and 49.
Catastrophic health insurance annual: $2,400
$5,000 deductible, no drug coverage.
Location: CT

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustward Martha, you may consider this a highly personal question and I will understand if you choose not to answer it. Why are you going directly from COBRA to the risk pool?

I'm not Martha, but I imagine it's because there's no other option.

[mickeyd]

YIKES! This has been one of the most informative threads that I have ever read here. I knew that private insurance was expensive, even with high deductibles, but these numbers are staggering.

I have often said (in jest) that I consider my Tricare benefits as important to DW and I as the retirement money that military sticks in my checking account on the first of each month. Now, I really mean it.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustward Martha, you may consider this a highly personal question and I will understand if you choose not to answer it. Why are you going directly from COBRA to the risk pool?

Not insurable on the private market.

[tightasadrum]

Number of people: 3
Ages: 61,54,20
Annual premium: currently $7594, but goes up 15-25%/year**
Deductible: $2500 family/$1250 each person
Location: GA
Company: Aetna
Includes drug plan after first $30 per prescription
No dental, no optical

** The large annual cost increases are because it's a retiree medical plan. About 7 years ago the company announced that in order to retain medical coverage for retirees, they would no longer be adding additional money to the annual cost increases. The retirees must now foot all, or most, of the increases in the cost of the plan. After looking over what everyone is paying, I may be approaching the cost of independently purchased plans. The plan will go down after I hit 65 on medicare and DD is on her own. But DW may now be unable to purchase coverage at any price due to a very recent "pre-existing condition." I need to hold onto the policy I have no matter what it costs in the future. There's something wrong with a medical insurance system that only provides affordable coverage to people that don't need the coverage at all.

[Zipper]

Mr. Zipper (64) Ontario Health Premium $300.00./year.

Mrs. Zipper (59) Ontario Health Premium $300.00./year.