Comment by tarikjn | Hacker News Reader

Comment by tarikjn | Hacker News Reader

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I am from France and moved to the US over five years ago. I have been altering between working for an employer and taking time off to work on my projects. Within the first 2 years, I realized how cumbersome it was to switch healthcare and be covered between jobs, so I signed up for a private healthcare at once. I chose to have a low general coverage but a good one for accidents, I pay $20-40 for a doctor visit, nothing for annual dental check ups. No vision or drugs coverage (what's the point, for expensive drugs, the same drugs from the same labs are still cheaper in Mexico than a good insurance copay, and I have 20/20 vision). My insurance has been $90 per month for the first two years and recently went up to about $110 per month. When working for an employer, they would sometimes pay some extra cash when denying their coverage, if they don't, just add their insurance but keep the private one. My understanding is that the PPACA will make the cost of those single payer insurances go up a bit.

That's great for you, obviously you have no documented chronic health conditions that would exclude you entirely from private insurance. Unfortunately for me, I do, and am considered uninsurable as am individual, leaving only employer sponsored group coverage as a viable option until next year.

I actually do have a minor chronic condition, causing inflammation of my sinuses and a subsequent poor sleep/fatigue. I can permanently cure it by opting for a nasal surgery which my private insurance is willing to pay most of the cost. Until then, I treat it with a nasal corticoid, one flask cost $150 in the US, $45 with the drugs copay I had on my first job, but only 25 euros shelf price in France, I just refill when I visit (I use about 5 flasks a year). I definitely agree that the PPACA provision easing coverage for those with a pre-existing condition it a good thing.

The really crazy thing is how hard it is to not to eventually have a chronic health condition given the typical american diet.

I agree, and when making the conscious decision to get a entry-level private insurance, I made the calculation that what I save on a lower price insurance I could use to spend more on healthier food, in addition of me being physically active, and in my 20's, which makes me a lower risk profile and try to take advantage of it. I also realize that as I get older, I will probably need to set more aside for health-related coverage.

> for expensive drugs, the same drugs from the same labs are still cheaper in Mexico than a good insurance copay

If you're lucky enough not to get any major condition, sure, you can buy antibiotics or whatever from Mexico. But even at Mexican prices you will probably not be able to pay out of pocket for something like Avastin (cancer) or Copaxone (multiple sclerosis).

The cost of my prescription medication alone is more than your insurance premiums. I take all generic drugs.

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