3 ms·

Germany doesn't, for example. You have private ensurance companies and you have to chose one. When things go bad, you bet the insurance company won't be on your

by ino 10y ago

Germany doesn't, for example. You have private ensurance companies and you have to chose one. When things go bad, you bet the insurance company won't be on your side. It's all ok if you have a good job (IT or otherwise) that pays for the best, but for poorer people it sucks.

rangibaby 10y ago
I don't mind Japan's system. You pay monthly to the government (about 10% of your income for a married couple with a child) then the government pays 70% of your medical bill out of that, no questions asked.
- ino 10y ago
  Do you have to pay if you're unemployed?
  - rangibaby 10y ago
    The short answer is no. The long answer is your bill is based on your salary from the previous year e.g. Jan 2017 bill will be based on Jan 2016 income, which is not nice if you don't have a job anymore. The good part is extensions are easy to get. Other than that it is free for poor people.
kogepathic 10y ago
> Germany doesn't, for example. You have private ensurance companies and you have to chose one. What? No. In Germany you have public health insurance and private health insurance. Private is only an option if you make over ~55,000€ or are self employed. Of course there are many private insurance companies happy to sell you insurance. They're in it to make money. Just be prepared for the premiums to increase as you get older. Public health insurance [0] is available from several different providers, all which basically offer the same thing: you get sick and go the doctor, you are treated without charge. > When things go bad, you bet the insurance company won't be on your side. I have never been seriously ill, but for all the minor things (flu, infection) I just went to the doctor and gave them my health card. I do know people who have been seriously I'll, requiring hospitalisation, and I haven't heard many complaints from them. They're still alive, and not financially ruined or suing the Krakenkasse. So how exactly will they not be "on your side" ? The public health system in Germany, and other European countries from what my friends say, is not the most luxurious or expedient, but you get the care you need and without paying extravagant amounts as one would in America. I know people in America on ACA who pay thousands per year and still have a deductable of thousands. Sure, I pay ~4,000€ to the Krakenkasse through the mandatory salary deductions each year, but I have no deductable for care. As a young and healthy person it doesn't cost the German government that much each year to keep me alive, but this money goes toward keeping other people healthy and alive. I consider that a worthwhile goal (though I do strongly want them to ban tobacco advertising). [0] https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesetzliche_Krankenversicherung#Krankenkassen https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesetzliche_Krankenversicher...

by ino 10y ago

rangibaby 10y ago

I don't mind Japan's system. You pay monthly to the government (about 10% of your income for a married couple with a child) then the government pays 70% of your medical bill out of that, no questions asked.

ino 10y ago
Do you have to pay if you're unemployed?
- rangibaby 10y ago
  The short answer is no. The long answer is your bill is based on your salary from the previous year e.g. Jan 2017 bill will be based on Jan 2016 income, which is not nice if you don't have a job anymore. The good part is extensions are easy to get. Other than that it is free for poor people.

kogepathic 10y ago

> Germany doesn't, for example. You have private ensurance companies and you have to chose one. What? No. In Germany you have public health insurance and private health insurance. Private is only an option if you make over ~55,000€ or are self employed. Of course there are many private insurance companies happy to sell you insurance. They're in it to make money. Just be prepared for the premiums to increase as you get older. Public health insurance [0] is available from several different providers, all which basically offer the same thing: you get sick and go the doctor, you are treated without charge. > When things go bad, you bet the insurance company won't be on your side. I have never been seriously ill, but for all the minor things (flu, infection) I just went to the doctor and gave them my health card. I do know people who have been seriously I'll, requiring hospitalisation, and I haven't heard many complaints from them. They're still alive, and not financially ruined or suing the Krakenkasse. So how exactly will they not be "on your side" ? The public health system in Germany, and other European countries from what my friends say, is not the most luxurious or expedient, but you get the care you need and without paying extravagant amounts as one would in America. I know people in America on ACA who pay thousands per year and still have a deductable of thousands. Sure, I pay ~4,000€ to the Krakenkasse through the mandatory salary deductions each year, but I have no deductable for care. As a young and healthy person it doesn't cost the German government that much each year to keep me alive, but this money goes toward keeping other people healthy and alive. I consider that a worthwhile goal (though I do strongly want them to ban tobacco advertising). [0] https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesetzliche_Krankenversicherung#Krankenkassen https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesetzliche_Krankenversicher...