Health insurance

[Michel1968]

are hypocondriac's and abuse the **** out of it or addicted to pain pills. 1 of these days they will put an end to it.

Pfeewww, someone took that from my chest!!!

Over here we have a system that is partial (largest part) mandatory which you can pimp with three levels of extra's. So, my family has the best possible insurance but still, it's a joke. Dental costs have never been so high (only the most basic care is covered) but hey... at least I know I can get my fores**** corrected at no extra charge!

Sorry for the strong words but thru the years Dutch healthcare is rapidly sliding towards second/third world levels.

[semery74]

I've never been asked by my employer's plan about tobacco. But if they required a response I would have to tell them that I replaced a bad habit(cigarettes) with a better one(cigars). I think that most insurance providers don't give the same weight to cigar smoking. Best example is at my annual Physical, when I tell my Doctor about the cigar habit, being a daily smoker it is definitely a habit, he unbelievably shrugs his shoulders. Of course I make sure that I proclaim this to my wife, who is a medical professional, as soon as I get home.

PPO Medical, Dental, and Vision run the Family $6K per year. There are no deductions on the taxes in the States unless out of pocket expenses are greater than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income and make less than $166K jointly. And there are plenty of out of pocket expenses if you include co-pays and deductible limits. On average I pay about $8.5K for the coverage and out of pocket costs for the Family.

[Habanos2000]

I've had similar questions regarding 'tobacco use', not defined by cigarettes or cigars. But hasn't been an issue, my health insurance is through my employer of which I have to pay 50%.

Life insurance has been a bit more expensive because I did declare that I smoke cigars. I disclosed that because the last thing I want is for the policy to be void when needed because of not being totally honest on the application.

[thechenman]

I have family health insurance including dental and vision through my employer. Costs a little less than $500 a month, but is pretax. Have life insurance and disability through work as well. Also have life insurance on my own outside of work. It's worth the extra money to know that my family will be taken care of and not burdned financially after I'm gone.

[armedak]

Hmm.. I guess I'm surprised by all the aussies saying they buy health insurance as it was my impression that they had free health care for everyone. Maybe, I have them confused with Canada.

[Ken Gargett]

Hmm.. I guess I'm surprised by all the aussies saying they buy health insurance as it was my impression that they had free health care for everyone. Maybe, I have them confused with Canada.

it isn't completely free and depends a lot on the standard of care you want.

as for all insurance companies being scum ripoff merchants, i could not agree more. rob knows i have had my fair share of fights with them.

for anyone in australia who has a dispute with them or something knocked back, take it to the ombudsman. don't care how small it is. if more people did this, they'd knock fewer things back. and it won't cost you a cent but if you do go through to the ombudsman, it does cost the insurance company several thou. so even if you don't win, you get a small victory.

and my very best thanks to the scum at CGU who so incensed me a few years ago with the denial of a completely legitimate claim that i found all this out. and won.

[badaboom]

My health/dental/disability/life insurance is via my employer. My "contribution" is about $225/month for myself and wife. I did have to sign a separate document, identifying myself as a tobacco user and accepting a higher cost. Cigars, chewing tobacco, etc all qualified for the higher premium. Everyone at work knows I smoke, including HR, so not like I would deny it. At home, there are far too many empty cig packs and cigar boxes to claim otherwise.

[MontrealRon]

Here in Canada, we have a single-payer system,

so most health care is paid through general taxation.

Many companies provide supplimentary insurance,

for things such as dental care, eyeglasses, etc. not otherwise covered.

In spite of many put-downs of our health care service,

especially from those with a political agenda in their own country,

my own experiences, as well those of my immediate and extended family,

and numerous friends and aquaintances, have universally been excellent.

Obviously, while nothing run by humans is ever perfect,

and there is certainly room for improvement,

my feeling is that we get much more of a bang for our buck,

since there is no profit being sucked out of the pot by "health-insurance providors".

Also, here in the province of Quebec, there is also a mandatory

pharmaceutical insurance program.

If one does not already participate in a private program,

generally through one's employer, then one is required to sign up for a government plan,

paid through the taxation system, on a sliding scale.

A great deal for the drug companies,

since now everybody can afford their mostly useless, when not dangerous, products!

Life insurance, though, is strictly private, and I do pay quite a premium

for being a regular cigar smoker.