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
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
