Health care system in your world
By vanny
@vandana7 (100531)
India
November 26, 2020 8:58am CST
I am curious.
I heard the British have the best system.
A couple of years ago, I read an election manifesto of some political party in Singapore. I said to myself whoa...they already have figured this out, why the hell are we wrecking our brains. And for such elaborate presentation, the party lost.
I will elaborate how things are here.
Most Indians do not consider health insurance as compulsory expense.
They depend upon employer and there are folks who do not have employers covering them. These people still do not buy coverage. They take chance. They would be more willing to spend on social customs of give gifts or travel rather than spend on health coverage. They do suffer in the process.
Health insurance products are also not trustworthy. I mean anybody who buys 100 INR product should be prepared to get only 60 or so. This means, they need to save for that 40. The policy documents are worded cleverly, and the insurance regulatory authority is unable to figure out whom to monitor. Hospitals charge exorbitantly and insurance companies give fine print saying they will not cover this and that, even in comprehensive policies.
The poor are somewhat lucky. Government covers their expenses.
We the middle class have to read through a lot and buy some products, which may or may not cover our health expenses in the end.
That is one of the reasons I feel we Indians are money minded, but that may be far fetched reason.
So are you satisfied with the system in your world? How does it work?
9 people like this
10 responses
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
26 Nov 20
I think our health service is super although it is not without its problems like any organisation. Our national health service is the largest employer in the UK. I think l should know a little bit about it having worked in it for over 40 years. While privatisation has slipped in of some services l am adamantly against this. We all contribute through our taxes and national insurance. As for Doctors and nurses depending on experience and grade they are adequately remunerated. Of course everyone would like more for what they do! Ancillary staff are appallingly paid for what they do.
You can also pay for private treatment or buy insurance which is in addition to the tax and national insurance we already contribute to. One problem is health tourism and abuse of our services which is costing the country millions each year. I agree anyone should be given emergency treatment but they should not even be considered for elective surgery.
The other thing with private treatment is when things go wrong it is not they who pay for surgery they have messed up they then transfer to the NHS to pick up the pieces when things go wrong!
Some of our leading hospitals are world authorities in their field and we are very fortunate to have our very talented doctors performing practically miracles that we would not have even considered 30-40 years ago. Health care has improved 1000 % in my life time it can only get better.
I would not want to change our system for all the tea in China! I consider us very lucky.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
27 Nov 20
Shouldn't there be a way to cover the loopholes? I would think loophole once discovered needs to be plugged immediately.
India has suffered brain drain. For now, if the Indian healthcare system chooses to copy the UK system, we may not be left with many doctors considering the low payscales. Private hospitals are the ones that are keeping them here. But there needs to be some control on that.
As to insurance companies here, they too need to be told something instead of making the person run from pillar to post for claims.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
28 Nov 20
@garymarsh6 I bet those Asian doctors who defended their mistakes were guys. Our men are brought up so wrong! They cannot take any criticism, and are unwilling to believe they can make mistakes.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
28 Nov 20
@vandana7 I worked with many Asian Doctors who were excellent of course there are always the odd ones who were not quite so good who (often not Asian) got through by the skin of their teeth. You know there has been many a time l have stepped in to stop them making big mistakes often with an argument but l stood my ground and if they would not budge l would have a discreet word with their boss! However if they were rude to me then it would not be so discreet and ring the boss in front of them! They soon backed down!
1 person likes this
@Butterfingers (66583)
• India
26 Nov 20
Not satisfied but even I haven't opted for health insurance
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
27 Nov 20
@Butterfingers Do it, otherwise health care costs will wipe out your hard earned monies like a person going down in quick sand. I mean it.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471992)
• Switzerland
26 Nov 20
Healthcare in Switzerland is universal[3] and is regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance. Health insurance is compulsory for all persons residing in Switzerland, it covers the costs of medical treatment, doctors and specialists, hospitalisation, medications. Yes, I am fully satisfied.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
26 Nov 20
That is rather simplistic. LOL
Covid exposed how little people have paid attention to their healthcare. My neighbor had coverage of what roughly 2666 per annum floater policy, that too employer's policy. Now he is seriously contemplating higher coverage.
3 people like this
@ZedSmart (19786)
• Philippines
26 Nov 20
Nah! Our insurance that is run by the state is still far from being ideal. Yes, they covered hospital bills but you may still pay in excess. I believe that only the hospitals are the ones truly benefitting it. As of now, the people managing it were embroiled with controversy and was being accused of corruption. They're now being removed but I'm not sure if they are facing charges.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
26 Nov 20
I guess ideal systems are difficult to come up with and there will always be some who will misuse it. Ours, we do not know where to begin and end. LOL. Nothing seems enough. Inflation in health care is at whopping 15 percent pa, compounded. So you know how difficult it is to plan for it.
2 people like this
@sh00tinstar (13)
• Venice, Italy
26 Nov 20
My mom and sister are both nurses, so I can say I know a little.
I have to say, that I'm pretty satisfied with healthcare here in italy. Obviously it's not perfect, but the fact that it's guaranteed to basically every citizens it's a relief. There are a few distincions between private service and public one, but if you want something quick and perfect, you surely have to pay some extra money
2 people like this
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
30 Nov 20
None of my employers covered me. It is a blessing in disguise. It helped me realize the need for coverage. You all have Medicare from government, which is also from your taxes of course. But here, we have nothing of the sorts. That is why we have to plan for ourselves.
@vandana7 (100531)
• India
30 Nov 20
We have had issues in which the hospitals refused to take in patients with health insurances saying that they do not cover some of the expenses. That phase was stressful because nobody can be prepared for huge sums especially after they have bought health coverage, and stock markets have plummeted.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (107859)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Nov 20
@vandana7 We have to check ahead of time as some do not cover at certain hospitals.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
27 Nov 20
i despise ours here'n the u.s., the promise 'f bein' able to keep yer doc's, etc. 'twas a bunch 'f hooey. payin' 1/4 'f yer income towards monthly premiums, a $7250 deductible (that's what such's gone'p to fer 2021...) 'n a total out'ta pocket 'mount 'f $13,500 'tis ridiculous. i can see none 'f my docs, 've to stay with new mexico doc's - the same 'specialists' who tried to kill me. i cannot 'fford to use 't (insurance) anyhow.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
2 Dec 20
@vandana7 the cost'n 'ccess to healthcare'n rural areas 'f the u.s. 're very poor. outrageous premiums, huge deductibles/copays/out 'f pocket annually. the docs? i'd not take my pup to one here.
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
26 Nov 20
Ours is OK; but I would prefer the British health care system.
2 people like this
