[Alexk49]

SueIP,

It does seem UK benefits are better, what was the motivation to come to the US?

US health insurance is complex, but many have a choice of what hospital they can go to and from what I understand there are shorter waiting times for elective surgery.

[cariad]

the UK benefits are better than the US, but the wait times for non urgent surgery does exist, we have a choice of hospitals over here, only if they are in network, not everywhere takes our insurance, and of course now DH has cardiac issues and future back surgery, means that I have to stay in the place where I work as any new medical insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions, something else that does not happen in the UK.
we came to the us because we wanted to try something different and are not unhappy with our choice.

[madwife2002]

Originally Posted by Alexk49

SueIP,

It does seem UK benefits are better, what was the motivation to come to the US?

US health insurance is complex, but many have a choice of what hospital they can go to and from what I understand there are shorter waiting times for elective surgery.

Yes there are shorter waiting times for elective surgery and recently when I was ill I got treatment far faster than I would have recieved back in the UK. My co-pay for the hospitalisation was zero, but I did have to pay a few doctors bills but nothing too horrendous. If you work and pay medical insurance at my place of work then you get hospital stay for 'free'. I did loose my vacation time thatI had saved up for, but I did get FMLA which meant I had half pay for the rest of the weeks I was off because of the surgery. So not all doom and gloom.
I do not find now I live here in Az that the cost of living is cheap, because when you weigh up all the hidden taxes and costs I use all my wages up just like the Uk and I still dont earn what I earned in the UK. But when I feel miserable I go lie in my pool or hot tub in the hot sun and realise why I am here

[sharrie]

The waiting times in the UK are much better now though. I have only had to wait 4 months for surgery on my knee and that was with some deliberate delays on my part.

[RGN1]

Also patients that have NHS hospitals where the wait is over the acceptable limit (vis a vis the new 18 week care pathway) can opt to go to another hospital (including private ones who have successfully tendered for the contract) for their surgery.

It's not perfect but it is so much better than it was - pity that can't be said for the poor nurses on the ward - who are working to the bare bones!

[Sueilp]

Originally Posted by Alexk49

SueIP,

It does seem UK benefits are better, what was the motivation to come to the US?

US health insurance is complex, but many have a choice of what hospital they can go to and from what I understand there are shorter waiting times for elective surgery.

Well they may seem better but I like the system to a degree here...I get seen a lot quicker and get appointments a lot quicker....I can choose my Doctors which is great as I have already changed my PP...not becuase I didnt like him but he was notoriously slow - a 10am appt meant I wouldnt get in to see him until Noon....then I would have to be in there another hour...

The motivation to come here was for a better life and although my financial situation is no better than in the UK (i.e. I dont earn anymore money etc), but I have a bigger house, bigger cars, lovely area to live, right by lovely beaches, low crime rate here, lots of sunshine.....we are so much happier and my kids are too - that really is MORE important than the bigger house etc

[cariad]

I agree with sue, you dont come here for the taxes and the health care. most of us come from the UK because we want a different lifestyle, and see new places. the uk have good wages and benefits, and we are not like a lot of other immigrants who come here to get away from their own country and to earn extra money. most of them work 6 days a week and send all their dollars back home to educate a family member to be a nurse, so that they can come as well.

[SteveRN21]

Originally Posted by mc3

I make $1480 every 2 weeks. From that, I pay $75.90 Federal tax, $83.34 Social Security tax, and $19.50 Medicare tax. (I claim 2 exemptions).
Thanks,
mc3

Holy cow..... I need to come up with some exemptions!!!

I get taxed an average of $800-$1000 out of EVERY paycheck. that comes pretty close to 33-35% tax.