That's what I did, but healthcare wasn't my motivation for doing so.
In summary, I emigrated to Spain at the beginning of 2005. Spain has both public and private healthcare available. As a legal resident, I am entitled to use the public system, but I have private insurance. I pay about 200 € a month for both medical and dental and it even covers me when visiting the US. I do have co-pays, but no annual minimum. Doctor visits are 3 €, lab analysis (e.g. blood and urine) 4 €, a CT-scan 12 €.
Apparently drugs are subsidized as I pay 2.72 € for 50 tablets of 850 mg of metformin made by Merck (not generic). Pharmacies are less controlled (as my doctor explained to me) than in the US. When I go to my local private pharmacy 10 m from my home, I just hand them my old box of tablets and they bring out a new one. I don't have to show a prescription. If I want something that they don't have in stock, I go in the morning and they will have it for me that afternoon. When I bought my glucose measuring device (made by Bayer), the pharmacist took it out of the box and used it on me to show it works. I never have had that kind of service in the US.
Many doctors here work for both the public and private systems. Individual practices are rare, most share offices in a clinic setting. The medical center I go to has a number of doctors many of whom seem older and are bearded (but not "crusty" enough to appeal to Tony.) They also have a person who collects samples for analysis and likewise someone who does ultra-sound scans.
Another difference is that I, being the patient, always get the lab results and give them to the doctor.
My doctor and I have had several general discussion about the difference in approach of healthcare between the US and here. He thinks that in the US there is too much emphasis on tests and numbers and not enough on looking at the "whole person."
I would agree with txkink that "Health care has truly become a profit driven industry – not a “need” that is then met with a service, but a “create the need” mind set." And that "there are too many administrators and not enough health care providers." An example is that there is no "billing department" at the medical clinic I use. They do have a sign that says you have to pay 20 € if you don't bring your evidence of insurance with you. (They refund the amount when you come back and show the card.)
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One moves to a more favorable country?
Date: 2011-11-07 08:00 am (UTC)In summary, I emigrated to Spain at the beginning of 2005. Spain has both public and private healthcare available. As a legal resident, I am entitled to use the public system, but I have private insurance. I pay about 200 € a month for both medical and dental and it even covers me when visiting the US. I do have co-pays, but no annual minimum. Doctor visits are 3 €, lab analysis (e.g. blood and urine) 4 €, a CT-scan 12 €.
Apparently drugs are subsidized as I pay 2.72 € for 50 tablets of 850 mg of metformin made by Merck (not generic). Pharmacies are less controlled (as my doctor explained to me) than in the US. When I go to my local private pharmacy 10 m from my home, I just hand them my old box of tablets and they bring out a new one. I don't have to show a prescription. If I want something that they don't have in stock, I go in the morning and they will have it for me that afternoon. When I bought my glucose measuring device (made by Bayer), the pharmacist took it out of the box and used it on me to show it works. I never have had that kind of service in the US.
Many doctors here work for both the public and private systems. Individual practices are rare, most share offices in a clinic setting. The medical center I go to has a number of doctors many of whom seem older and are bearded (but not "crusty" enough to appeal to Tony.) They also have a person who collects samples for analysis and likewise someone who does ultra-sound scans.
Another difference is that I, being the patient, always get the lab results and give them to the doctor.
My doctor and I have had several general discussion about the difference in approach of healthcare between the US and here. He thinks that in the US there is too much emphasis on tests and numbers and not enough on looking at the "whole person."
I would agree with