Health care for older sailors

[twoblocktom]

This has probably been covered before but I don't know how to search for it
So
I'm concerned that by the time we are ready to go we will need to see doctors more than we do now. But damn it seems all we do now is go to the doc or to get a Rx filled. Were relatively healthy and try to stay that way but we each have issues and it will be much more challenging moving about even if we stayed in U S waters.
With health care here in flux it may get more difficult to predict but how well are cruisers able to keep up with minor things when moving all the time?

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by twoblocktom

This has probably been covered before but I don't know how to search for it
So
I'm concerned that by the time we are ready to go we will need to see doctors more than we do now. But damn it seems all we do now is go to the doc or to get a Rx filled. Were relatively healthy and try to stay that way but we each have issues and it will be much more challenging moving about even if we stayed in U S waters.
With health care here in flux it may get more difficult to predict but how well are cruisers able to keep up with minor things when moving all the time?

I have a cheap policy that covers catastrophic situations, otherwise I'm a cash payer and that gets me 40% off the bill.

[CarinaPDX]

Once you leave the states health care becomes affordable, and your lifestyle will probably be healthier as well. It is difficult and very expensive to get coverage for international travel. I was outside the US for 15 years, during which I was hospitalized for a back injury (UK) and a heart attack (Turkey), as well as more mundane issues. I am still money ahead over paying for US health insurance. Don't believe the nonsense about poor quality; that is justification for high US prices, but not the truth. Oh, and most non-narcotic drugs are available over the counter cheaply in most countries. Since returning to the US I have had a ton of medical bills, but have been no sicker than before. Can't wait to go back out again.

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by twoblocktom

This has probably been covered before but I don't know how to search for it
So
I'm concerned that by the time we are ready to go we will need to see doctors more than we do now. But damn it seems all we do now is go to the doc or to get a Rx filled. Were relatively healthy and try to stay that way but we each have issues and it will be much more challenging moving about even if we stayed in U S waters.
With health care here in flux it may get more difficult to predict but how well are cruisers able to keep up with minor things when moving all the time?

The best way to search CF I've found is to click on the "Search" button above, then in the drop down menu chose "Google Custom Search". Works great!

Not sure exactly what you question is? By minor things do you mean small stuff but still covered by insurance or stuff not covered? Ours has such a high deductible that minor stuff would never reach the limit so we just pay as we go, where we go. If its stuff covered by insurance you are probably going to have to stick close to home or find yourself "out of network" frequently and that's assuming you are still in the US.

[CarinaPDX]

I love this "out of network" stuff. In Europe an Englishman (or German or ...) can get health care at his retirement flat/house in Spain, whether he is just visiting or a resident. The countries all have reciprocal agreements. Get care in the next state in the US and you pay silly co-payments for being out of network. John Boehner (and others) have claimed we have the best health care in the world - I want some of what they're smoking. There is no rational basis for that claim. I need to get back out there...

[Doodles]

Europe seems to be having problems of its own these days. Anybody want to go to a Greek hospital? Spain? Portugal or Ireland? Maybe I shouldn't say that cause I really don't know but I'd imagine these austerity measures have got to be finding there way into the medical services.

As for overseas medical services, I heard it was great in Thailand but so far I haven't seen it. Even the locals here in Krabi are scared to go the Krabi Hospital. They all say go to Phuket if its not an emergency.

[CarinaPDX]

I wouldn't be reluctant, even in one of the PIGS, if I had a need. If I had advance warning I would go back to Turkey for heart surgery in a flash. A friend had a very serious neck surgery (involving a lot of titanium bits) in Malaysia last year. Still, medical care in small towns in developing countries is probably not optimal.

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

I wouldn't be reluctant, even in one of the PIGS, if I had a need. If I had advance warning I would go back to Turkey for heart surgery in a flash. A friend had a very serious neck surgery (involving a lot of titanium bits) in Malaysia last year. Still, medical care in small towns in developing countries is probably not optimal.

That's the key I think. Get to an international hospital in a major city and you've fine probably.

[captainKJ]

I work on yachts that travel the world. My health coverage is better and cheaper that US coverage, I am US citizen,,,If I am out out of the US for over 9 months a years the insurance covers me,,,it is better and cheaper

might want to look here, and do a search on the site

The Triton | Nautical news for the marine industry, yachts, captains and crew.

it is a paper for yachties (do a search for crew insurance)

[gettinthere]

Out of Network is not the same as Out Of State. At least for most insur companies. There can be out of network docs within your state. I checked with several insurers and they discussed the fact that they have many customers who have homes in 2 states and have In Network docs in both states.

[Blue Stocking]

captain KJ,

Thanks for that Triton info . USCG thing about operator safety lanyards on up tp 26ft should be interesting.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

captain KJ,

Thanks for that Triton info . USCG thing about operator safety lanyards on up tp 26ft should be interesting.

The workaround is so easy, attach the clip on the lanyard to the key, that I think almost no one will notice the inconvenience. But, it will probably get the individual liberties guys stirred up. Were you stirring the pot?

[Curmudgeon]

Agree 100% with CarinaPDX. The U.S. health care system is a national disgrace. It has little to do with health care, and everything to do with maximizing profits for the big hospitals, drug companies and medical insurance companies. And now, after the big guys have milked every dollar they possibly can out of medicare, the Republicans want to eliminate it and force us to buy private insurance at market rates at precisely the time in our lives when our health is starting to fail.

They say the sustem is going bankrupt (even though I've been paying into it for decades). Sure it's going bankrupt, in order to pay the exhorbitant and escalating health care costs that fuel the profits of the big guys.

Just about every other country in the world has a single payor system with free (or affordable) universal health care. But oh no, not the United States. After all, that's socialism. So is the Veterans' Administration, but I don't hear too many Republicans clamoring to privatize that.

[twoblocktom]

I seem to have opened a can of worms here although I did not intend my question to relate to Insurance as much as to the logistics of finding doctors, making appointments ( sometimes 6-8 weeks in advance), the followups 1,2,3 months after that, getting Rx, blood work, exc....
All while cruising. Even if staying close to home it seems it could become such a hassle that it may take the fun out of "cutting the dock-lines"
I just was asking if it is possible to keep up with all this or if people are forgoing health care in exchange for freedom.
I'll try again, to be even a simi- full time cruiser there are sacrifices that have to be made. I understand that. My question is; is health care one of them. Decision to forgo until I can no longer wait any longer. Only to swallow the hook for medical reasons latter because of poor maintenance. When and if I can pull off this "cruisers lifestyle" I want for it to last.
Please note I am not asking your personal and private health info rather do we have to be prepared give on ours to cruise with you ???

[zeehag]

many folks consider insurance a necessity. i consider it a scam. money for nothing. is soo cheap to see an md in other places than usa that i see no need for insurance from a greedy company. let them run your life due to the fear they instill into your daily being?? sorry--i do not see it as a positive. also meds in other places are a lot cheaper than in usa. if you need an excuse to remain home, insurance dictates are an excellent one to use. have a great day .