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0 pointsa-priori12y ago0 comments

Speaking as a Canadian on #2, I have a couple problems there that prevent me even considering moving to the States:

1) My wife has a chronic health problem. What guarantee do I have that if she needed treatment, for that or something else, that insurance wouldn't find a way to weasel out of covering it? Also, eventually I would lose coverage under OHIP, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, after an extended absence (1-2 years? not sure exactly), so going back to Canada for treatment would not be an option forever.

2) My health insurance would be covered and sponsored by my employer. I'm already dependent on my employer for my income. In my mind, also depending on them for health care coverage is putting too many eggs in one basket.

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4 comments · 3 top-level

klipt12y ago· 1 in thread

> My wife has a chronic health problem.

To be fair, this can make it difficult to move anywhere. Countries like Canada and Australia can refuse you an immigrant visa if you have pre-existing health conditions (much like insurance companies will refuse to take you on):

https://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/health-requirements/overvie... http://www.canadavisa.com/immigration-medical-inadmissibilit...

eloisant12y ago

If he proves that his wife had coverage before enrolling in the plan (for example from Canadian health care) the insurance company shouldn't be able to play the preexisting condition card. Then again, that does not mean the insurance will have a good coverage for that. The best thing to do is to check that with the company you're applying to before signing.

Anyway, I agree that it sucks to live in a country where you have to think about this shit. Even with the best network (blue cross or blue shield) it's still not as good as France with a decent mutuelle for example.

_ea1k12y ago

To your first point, in general you face far fewer risks regarding such issues on employer covered plans within the US than on self-bought plans. The group policy should cover these types of issues, without risk of rescission[1].

As to your second issue, I agree with this. I think tying these things together has had a large and unfortunate impact both on people and on the US economy. The ACA is far from perfect, but it does at least move some of this in the right direction.

[1] If it isn't obvious, I am speaking in generalities. As with all insurance, some conditions and medications are covered more prevalently and conveniently than some others.

davidw12y ago

Do people with this condition manage to exist in the US? Does their insurance cover it? Are there ways to ensure that they get coverage? Things worth looking up if there's a tempting offer, because it might be worth your while. If it's not an offer that's worth the hassle, well, then, no, don't bother.

Point being, if it's a good enough offer, you might be able to make it work if you're not bent on rejecting it because of your general disdain for the US healthcare system (which I can certainly comprehend).

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