T1 considering permanent move to USA

[Metalmama]

Hello All,

Is there any insurance plans for UK residents considering a permanent move to the USA for insulin and healthcare costs?

Asking for someone else.

I've told them it would be better to get a job with health insurance to fund the costs.

Please could anyone advise on the best course of action.

No negative posts please.

Thanks.

 

[EllieM]

I think the Affordable Care Act may be their friend here, as they're supposedly not allowed to discriminate against pre-existing diseases. But it'll probably be expensive, either through high premiums or high co-pays. Your friend will need to choose their health fund carefully.

 

[Mike d]

You MUST check on the state. The plans and coverage under their Medicare are wildly different. Private health insurance will cripple you

 

[bulkbiker]

There have been quite a few stories out of the states recently about the rising price of insulin. If they can't get a job with healthcare I think it may prove quite expensive.. I'd be doing a lot of research before considering it.

 

[Mike d]

and you MUST use this

https://www.expatforum.com/expats/britain-expat-forum-expats-living-uk/

 

[EllieM]

and you MUST use this

https://www.expatforum.com/expats/britain-expat-forum-expats-living-uk/

Surely that's for people from overseas who have moved to the UK? The opposite of what the OP is asking....

 

[kitedoc]

Given the state of healthcare over there it is a wise decision to move there??

 

[Deleted member 308541]

and you MUST use this

https://www.expatforum.com/expats/britain-expat-forum-expats-living-uk/

Surely that's for people from overseas who have moved to the UK? The opposite of what the OP is asking....

Or if you click on the Americas link you will get this one, which will have shed load of Brits contributing to it most probably.

https://www.expatforum.com/expats/usa-expat-forum-expats-living-usa/

 

[EllieM]

Given the state of healthcare over there it is a wise decision to move there??

I would wonder this, but the OP specifically wanted non negative comments.

Going totally off topic, I've always wondered how non rich US parents cope with the costs of medical care for T1 children. Are there subsidies from the government to pay for their care? I've read stories about adults dying because they can't afford insulin, but not children. Anyone know what happens to children in care who have T1? Does the state then pay their massive medical bills?

 

[kitedoc]

I would wonder this, but the OP specifically wanted non negative comments.

Going totally off topic, I've always wondered how non rich US parents cope with the costs of medical care for T1 children. Are there subsidies from the government to pay for their care? I've read stories about adults dying because they can't afford insulin, but not children. Anyone know what happens to children in care who have T1? Does the state then pay their massive medical bills?

Do the posts of @bulkbiker and @Tipetoo not suggest caution @EllieM?
All the mortality studies I can find about type 1 children in USA do not mention anything about lack of insulin supply. Mind you these studies are up to 2014. If the adult is insured the child is using covered by insurance for cost of insulin I gather but the cost bill is increasing. And it is after the parental insurance finishes, age 25, that the adult has to find the money and health plan and ensure they are employed but not even that may supply enough income.
There are stories of people going across into Mexico to buy insulin. One person quotes that when insurance will no longer pay for insulin over and above what the plan offers (in her case it ran out in May) a single bottle of Humalog cost USD248.17 and if one chose the older types like Soluble and NPH insulin they were USD 24.99 each. A box full of Lantus pens was USD 693.40 and in Mexico USD 70. Go figure !!
There is nothing said about children under 18 years of age dying in US for lack of ability to afford insulin. That does not mean that it does not happen.

 

[EllieM]

Do the posts of @bulkbiker and @Tipetoo not suggest caution @EllieM?

Absolutely, I personally wouldn't consider living in the US, (partly because of the medical system and partly because of the situation re guns and also re police). And one of my daughter's friends got a green card in November 2017 but is still waiting for the paperwork to go through so that she's got freedom to work in the US.

 

[bulkbiker]

Do the posts of @bulkbiker and @Tipetoo not suggest caution @EllieM?
All the mortality studies I can find about type 1 children in USA do not mention anything about lack of insulin supply. Mind you these studies are up to 2014. If the adult is insured the child is using covered by insurance for cost of insulin I gather but the cost bill is increasing. And it is after the parental insurance finishes, age 25, that the adult has to find the money and health plan and ensure they are employed but not even that may supply enough income.
There are stories of people going across into Mexico to buy insulin. One person quotes that when insurance will no longer pay for insulin over and above what the plan offers (in her case it ran out in May) a single bottle of Humalog cost USD248.17 and if one chose the older types like Soluble and NPH insulin they were USD 24.99 each. A box full of Lantus pens was USD 693.40 and in Mexico USD 70. Go figure !!
There is nothing said about children under 18 years of age dying in US for lack of ability to afford insulin. That does not mean that it does not happen.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...doubled-from-2012-to-2016-study-idUSKCN1PG136

 

[bulkbiker]

I would wonder this, but the OP specifically wanted non negative comments.

Since when is stating the reality a "negative" comment?

 

[EllieM]

Since when is stating the reality a "negative" comment?

You're preaching to the converted here!

 

[kitedoc]

Thank you @bulkbiker , for the Reuter's reference.
No wonder they do not do easily found yearly death statistics re DKA in youth and children in USA !!!

 

[bulkbiker]

Thank you @bulkbiker , for the Reuter's reference.
No wonder they do not do easily found yearly death statistics re DKA in youth and children in USA !!!

I think this is one reason why T1grit is so much stronger there. Low carbing in T1's and thus less insulin use results in a huge cost saving as well as (according to those doing it) better health outcomes.

 

[Metalmama]

Thank you everyone.

Does anyone know if the other person will be covered if they get married to a US resident with health insurance?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[EllieM]

Thank you everyone.

Does anyone know if the other person will be covered if they get married to a US resident with health insurance?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I think it depends on the plan. Some are, some aren't. But I'm pretty sure you'd need to specifically get yourself added to most plans, which will mean the spouse or the spouse's employer needs to pay more.
Your best bet is to look at the expat forum recommended by @Mike D and @Tipetoo.

Insurance plans are not all equal, read this and make sure your friend gets a plan that will cover his/her insulin without requiring changes every couple of months.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/opinion/cost-insurance-diabetes-insulin.html

And there's a "grey" market just for test strips.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/health/diabetes-test-strips-resale.html

 

[Mike d]

It's exceptionally difficult .... being married to an American I spent three years investigating it as we planned to both go back to the States

 

[Metalmama]

It's exceptionally difficult .... being married to an American I spent three years investigating it as we planned to both go back to the States

So what did you end up doing if you don't mind me asking?