Comments for Health Care: Is it Driving US Citizens to Move Overseas? at http://boomersabroad.com , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://boomersabroad.com Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:17:45 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://boomersabroad.com/online-community/blogs/health-care-is-it-driving-us-citizens-to-move-overseas-.html#comment-67 From my experience interacting with dozens of recent immigrants to Uruguay, mostly from the U.S., Canada and Europe, reasonably priced, universally available healthcare is a major draw to those settling in Uruguay, especially when over 60 years old. I have heard the concerns and opinions from expats from all walk of life, from the super wealthy to those with modest retirement income, and they all appear to value whatever health coverage is available to them in the various cost brackets. Mind you, the range is not that wide. From absolutely free if you can prove indigence, to $30 to $60 in the regular HMO system, to about $150 per month at the top of the health insurance market. Depending on age and existing conditions, you may also contract extra U.S. surgery insurance for up to $500,000, plus travel insurance and funeral service insurance, all included in that monthly fee. Things get less inexpensive beyond the age of 60, especially with the premium insurers. There is a surcharge for each year over 60 up to 65, and often comprehensive medical examinations and admission into the system at the discretion of a hospital board. Also, sign up fees of a few thousand dollars may apply if you are between 60 and 65. The mid-market HMOs often even dispense with a general checkup as precondition for enrollment, however, and by law are forced to admit everyone, regardless of age. Once in, there are usually no deductibles and costly surgeries are performed for just the few dollars paid in monthly premiums. Should you require non-covered surgery or hospitalization, the bill will not be as financially crippling either. A recent two week hospitalization with batteries of treatments, tests, curations, consults with several different specialits, etc. for an American friend, paid out of pocket at the most expensive hospital, with private, hotel-like room, totalled $72,000. Although the amount buys you a condo in Uruguay, in the U.S. that bill would no doubt have been in the hundreds of thousands. - Margarita Palatnik Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:55:18 +0100