Serious question about US health insurance - please advice

[Jon Miller]

That is what I linked to, actually. They said they can't charge whatever they want, there is an upper limit.

JM

[Dinner]

Honesty, Canada would be ok since you'd get more access to health care than in Finland (since they already declared you a lot cause which they don't want to put money into) yet if the situation gets really bad then you could always go to the US (provided you buy US health insurance so as not to go bankrupt). Canada's economy is good, taxes are a bit higher than the US but regulations are better, so you really have nothing to lose. Just use your super citizen skills to land yourself a job and you should be good. I believe Canada makes it very easy for Euros to immigrate so it shouldn't be hard, you can likely find a job, and you'll even make more than you would in Finland both before and after taxes.

[Jon Miller]

I will note that the Canadian immigration can be nightmarish.

One of my friends from France went there after a process of 3-4 months.

My girlfriend has been in the process to go there as an au pair for over a year (and she was only going to work there for 2 years).

Over 4 months ago they told her all her documents were good and her interview was good and asked for her passport. She still hasn't heard anything from them and they won't respond to her requests for information.

The reason it took almost 8 months to get the documents together was that they wanted bank statements/police statements/etc from all countries she had been in. These had to be in english, which is reasonable, but after she had them translated by an official translator they said that they didn't like that translator/etc. Note that she is a very simple person, I have seen the bank statements/police reports and there is nothing interesting on them. They also wanted a medical, which took a lot of time because the documents were sent to Kenya to be 'processed' or something.

Anyways, over 7 months for paperwork (which admittedly was longer than necessary because of the issues relating to police reports/etc from other countries she lived in) and over 4 months without a passport (and no information) has been entirely unreasonable.

I like Canada, but I can't say that it is an easy place to temporarily work at.

JM

[OneFootInTheGrave]

I am surprised that you would not get any further support elsewhere in Europe, comparing to what you get at home... might we worth investigating and it is definitely easier to move for you.

[pchang]

All replies about you being uninsurable in the US are correct only with regards to private insurance. If your insurance comes through the job, then you are immediately insurable and pre-existing conditions do not matter. Scans and other preventative measures will be covered. However, if you do relapse, then the insurance carriers will not pay for anything deemed "experimental". You should also note that most employer provided health insurance have total payment caps between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 USD (depending upon the company). High tech companies tend to provide better health insurance. They are second only to Biotech and actual health care providers (like private hospitals). If you can get connected to a good oncologist in the US, they may be able to enroll you in trials (and therefore free) of new (and experimental) treatments should you relapse. This would also be the case in Canada and Europe, but the number of trials (an enrollment slots) are typically higher in the US.

[notyoueither]

Honesty, Canada would be ok since you'd get more access to health care than in Finland (since they already declared you a lot cause which they don't want to put money into) yet if the situation gets really bad then you could always go to the US (provided you buy US health insurance so as not to go bankrupt). Canada's economy is good, taxes are a bit higher than the US but regulations are better, so you really have nothing to lose. Just use your super citizen skills to land yourself a job and you should be good. I believe Canada makes it very easy for Euros to immigrate so it shouldn't be hard, you can likely find a job, and you'll even make more than you would in Finland both before and after taxes.

Total taxes paid can be lower in some Canadian provinces than in some US States.

I'd bet $5 that taxes are lower in Alberta than in CA and MA.

[notyoueither]

Thanks for good responses!

Canada would be as good IMO. There are few places specifically in the US that would specialize with what I need.

As for treatment, I am not undergoing any treatment now. I'm am "cancer free", the problem is that these types tend to return. So that's why I'm concerned about doing all the things I can do 1) prolong that return and 2) if it returns, get the best possible things I need. In here, it's not THAT bad, I actually got an excellent surgery, the place was specialized in it and the surgeons were pretty elite. One of them was actually an American The other one was a distant relative (we don't know each other). So lol.

But that's in the past, I'm not eligible to go there anymore and also I wouldn't be worried if I knew I'd get the best I can in here. But I've been told I won't, so it's not like I can just quietly accept that.

This all said, Canada is as good, if I get few things going right in the next year, I should have a good position to get a good job that pays well in either country. I have no doubt about it, I just need to know how I can get myself in treatment if the time comes. I realize I'm pretty much not your best insurance candidate, I can't get insured here either!

About those hospitals, I've taken notes (a lot of them) and so I'd have to compile them, can't remember them from the top of my head. But they're in US and Canada.

In short: I don't need treatment right now, but in the future very likely. I won't get the best treatment possible in here in the future, as my own doctor has informed me. She told me to realize this (I really appreciate the info!) and that a lot can be done, just not here right now. If everythign goes as planned, I should be able to land a good job after a year or so. So I can pay higher prices most likely, but of course I won't be a millionaire. But a good upper middle class income should be doable soon. US and Canada are my best options for both treatment and job prospects.

IIRC, Canadian immigration will ask about illness or medical conditions within the previous number (two?) of years.

It is a lot easier if an employer wants you here. Jon's story re his girl friend is not a surprise, as the wheels can move slowly in some cases and it can be like talking to a wall.

When you can tell us which hospitals (where) we might be able to give you suggestions for employment.

[Jon Miller]

She just heard back from them this evening, they apparently lost one of the police reports.

Not sure if she will end up going to CA (no point if there isn't a need anymore).

JM

[Kontiki]

When you can tell us which hospitals (where) we might be able to give you suggestions for employment.

I'd think Pekka would have researched this more than me (which is not at all), but my best guess would be the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. It's generally regarded as being among the top cancer centres in the world.

http://www.uhn.ca/applications/PMH/iNews/default.aspx

[notyoueither]

Ontario would be good for high-tech.

Something else to keep in mind is that a province may send someone to another province for treatment that is only available there.

Pekka might want to try to talk to specialists (perhaps his doctor in Finland can refer him) as part of his planning.

[Arrian]

My only comment on the US is that the best deals tend to come via jobs with major companies. When you've got 10,000 employees, the insurers don't delve into individuals' medical histories in order to set the premium. It's a group deal.

So, if you shoot for the US, the key would be to find a big company that provides its employees with solid health insurance, and get them to want to employ you. Even then, there will be limits on coverage.

Best of luck, Pekka.

[Pekka]

I am surprised that you would not get any further support elsewhere in Europe, comparing to what you get at home... might we worth investigating and it is definitely easier to move for you.

I am investigating this as well. The most important thing for me is to get all alternatives I need if necessary. Hopefully. I know there are few top places in the world in UK as well. Actually, the very best surgery is in the UK. But I'm not even that... I mean I know I get top surgery in here if I need it. What I also need is a doctor who is willing to try different medicine, is on top of their game on what's new in the field, you know... lot of things can be done these days. I don't want to miss on any of it. I can say well, I want to use this and this new medicine... I just want to be able to do all that is possible at a human level. If it is impossible, then that's the way it is.

I figured the money issue would be better in US/Canada, but I really need to get away from the freaking death panel over here. Even my own doctor says they don't get it, but that it will make my odds much worse and I could have a much better situation should the death panel be somewhat up to date with knowledge on these issues and that it is not a lost cause anymore. 10 years ago? Maybe so. Today? There's always a chance. But I need those opportunities, I can't subscribe medicine to myself, I can't do those things. I even pretty much know the medicine that should be tried if the situation gets out of the hand but I might not get it.

[Pekka]

All replies about you being uninsurable in the US are correct only with regards to private insurance. If your insurance comes through the job, then you are immediately insurable and pre-existing conditions do not matter. Scans and other preventative measures will be covered. However, if you do relapse, then the insurance carriers will not pay for anything deemed "experimental". You should also note that most employer provided health insurance have total payment caps between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 USD (depending upon the company). High tech companies tend to provide better health insurance. They are second only to Biotech and actual health care providers (like private hospitals). If you can get connected to a good oncologist in the US, they may be able to enroll you in trials (and therefore free) of new (and experimental) treatments should you relapse. This would also be the case in Canada and Europe, but the number of trials (an enrollment slots) are typically higher in the US.

This would be exactly what I'm looking for. Spot on.

I would love to work for a Biotech company, but would most likely be able to land a job in a high tech company. Is this information based on your experience or is there a good website you'd recommend for me to use for further research?

[Pekka]

I'd think Pekka would have researched this more than me (which is not at all), but my best guess would be the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. It's generally regarded as being among the top cancer centres in the world.

http://www.uhn.ca/applications/PMH/iNews/default.aspx

Yes, this one has landed on my radar Should an opportunity present itself, I would take it in a heartbeat. I'm building a list of these places and also doctors, then do a list of companies, and use the matrix as a systematic approach to start applying for potential jobs once everything else is in order.

[Pekka]

Ontario would be good for high-tech.

Something else to keep in mind is that a province may send someone to another province for treatment that is only available there.

Pekka might want to try to talk to specialists (perhaps his doctor in Finland can refer him) as part of his planning.

I haven't talked in detail yet, but my doctor knows some good people in the US, I believe she has spent years there as well. She was impressed.