Health Care Around The World

Health Care Around The World

With all of the coming changes to health insurance, are you curious what other countries do for health coverage? Let’s take a look at health care around the world.

The U.K. & The Commonwealth

Essentially everyone in the U.K. has access to free health care. Even visitors receive free emergency care! That comes with a different kind of price, though. As the U.K. tries to cut costs, quality of care decreases.

Australia’s health care system is called Medicare, but it is available for all citizens, not only seniors. It is almost entirely government-funded. 25% comes from the Australian government and 43% comes from the Commonwealth.

France

In France, doctor’s appointments essentially cost one euro, which is currently worth a bit more than one American dollar. Patients pay with a card and receive 100% reimbursement later, minus one euro to help fund nation-wide health care activities. Special care and drugs are reimbursed at about 70%. Also, patients can purchase additional coverage.

Belgium 

Belgium has one of the most efficient health care systems worldwide. Care facilities, much like in the U.S., range from privately owned to government-run and non-profits. Citizens can choose whatever facility they want to visit, with no limitations on insurance.

Like in France, all Belgian patients use a care card at all of their appointments. Belgian cards will later provide reimbursement of up to 75%. Charges will come through payroll or a bank account.

Germany

Germany may be most similar to the U.S., since patients pay about 13% of their income to what is essentially health insurance. Uniquely, Germany often bundles accident and long-term insurance with their traditional health care plans. Germans can choose any health care facility they like because they are all federally funded. The unemployed (about a third of the German population) are funded separately.

Sweden

Since the Swedish system is 70% tax-funded, there are 21 regulating councils throughout the country. The councils determine health care, social welfare, and water supplies. There is a small fee for treatments and prescription drugs. Additionally, drug costs cannot surpass the limit of the equivalent of $163 per year.

Our system is fundamentally similar to European systems in some ways. It’s easy to wonder if we may head towards a Universal, U.K.-like system or at least a more centralized Belgian-like system. We could also head in another direction entirely – it’s hard to say. All we know is that right now, your Medicare is safe. For help with changing, upgrading, or purchasing a new plan, call one of our licensed agents today at 1-844-431-1832.

Are You Eligible To Have Your Penalty Fee Waived?

Are You Eligible To Have Your Penalty Fee Waived?

Did you miss your enrollment period? Are you living without health insurance?

Under Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, everyone is required to have health insurance. Your window to sign up is from three months before you turn 65 through three months after your birthday (unless you have a Special Enrollment Period). If you miss that period, you’ll be subject to a penalty fee. The fee will be added to your premium once you enroll. This means that the longer you wait to sign up for Medicare, the higher your premiums will be. Thankfully, you may be eligible for an exception.

CMS (the organization that oversees Medicare) decided that the ACA rules are not clear to many seniors, and most probably didn’t even know they were required to enroll when they turned 65. Many citizens with marketplace health care mistakenly assumed that they would automatically be enrolled.

If you did not receive the required information which tells you about the penalty fee, you can have your fee waived. You may qualify for the waiver until September 30th, 2017.

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You can find the following instructions to file for your waiver with more information on your eligibility at MedicareInteractive.org:

How To File A Waiver

1. Gather appropriate documentation. You will need proof of your QHP enrollment. Bring a Part B enrollment form (Form CMS-40B) and your Medicare card. You can also fill out a Part B enrollment form at your Social Security office. Examples of proof of QHP can be:
   • Letter about your enrollment in both Medicare and a Marketplace plan
   • QHP premium bills and proof of payment
   • IRS form 1095-A that shows months of coverage and/or cost assistance amounts
   • A Marketplace eligibility determination notice
     • Access through your Marketplace account
   • Receipt from first premium payment you made to your QHP (also called a premium binder payment)
2. Call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 or go to www.ssa.gov to find a local Social Security office that you can visit in person.
3. Once at the office or on the phone with a representative, ask to use the time-limited equitable relief to enroll in Part B and/or eliminate your Part B LEP. Mention that you were enrolled in both premium-free Part A and a QHP. If you are calling to eliminate an LEP, you must specifically request that you want the LEP eliminated.

Are looking for more information about your Medicare? Interested in switching plans or adding coverage? Speak to one of our highly qualified agents! Call today at 1-844-431-1832.

How To Talk To Your Doctor

How To Talk To Your Doctor

Talking to doctors is harder for some people than others. Do you ever go to your yearly exam and forget to mention something that’s been bothering you? Do you ever find yourself struggling to answer your doctor’s questions about your health? Use this guide to prepare yourself for your next appointment!

Bring Notes

There is no shame in bringing notes about your health to your doctor’s appointment. In fact, it may create a higher interest level in your doctor. Though doctors should treat all patients equally, they are more likely to spend more time with you if you show that you care about your health. You may not need all of this information, but it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared!

Here’s what you should write down:

• A list of all medications you’ve taken in the past few months, as well as how often you take them.
• An idea of how often and how much you eat on a typical day as well as what your diet typically consists of and how much water you drink each day.
• Your general sleeping habits.
• Reminders to yourself of ANY health concerns you’ve had since your last doctor appointment.
• If you have any symptoms, write down how they make you feel and anything that makes you feel better or worse.
• Contact information for your other doctors.
• Your family medical history (especially if you’re seeing a new doctor).

Additionally, bring your glasses or contacts and hearing aids, if you have them. Don’t forget to bring your Medicare card!

List Your Concerns

Your doctor likely has multiple patients waiting at any given moment, so make sure you list your biggest concerns at the forefront of your appointment, so you can be sure that they are addressed. Don’t assume that feeling tired or achy is normal.

Tell your doctor about ALL health concerns, so that you can get the most out of your appointment.

As your doctor addresses your concerns, take notes then, too! Don’t be afraid to write down what the doctor says. It’s easy to forget, especially if you’re talking about multiple concerns.

Ask Questions

Part of your doctor’s job is making sure that you know how to take care of yourself once you leave the office – so ask all the questions you have! For example, if a doctor tells you to take your medicine with food, does he mean before, after, or during your meal? No question is a stupid one. If you had the answers, you wouldn’t need the doctor. Ask about side effects of your medication, reasons for testing, etc.

The only thing your doctor may not have answers to is whether or not your insurance covers something – but that’s what we’re here for. If your doctor can’t answer those questions for you, give one of our agents a call at 1-844-431-1832.