Paying for a Doctor’s Visit Could Look Very Different in the Future

Canada’s Healthcare System

This country has the system most like Medicare For All. This system is set up with government-run health insurance that covers everyone, but most of the care is provided by private doctors and hospitals. As with both Britain and Medicare For All, patients pay nothing at the time services are rendered.

The difference between Medicare For All and Canada’s system is that the latter does not provide an extensive amount of coverage. Many people have to purchase private health insurance to cover vision, dental and prescriptions. Like Britain, Canadians sometimes have to wait a significant amount of time to receive specialized care.

Healthcare In Switzerland

Switzerland is often discussed for its health care system, among other laws and policies. So, what makes this country so talked about and unique.

In Switzerland, all insurance is private, but they sell most of their plans on a nonprofit basis. All programs have a premium that is dependent upon the choice of doctor, the deductible, and how easy it is to see the specialist. In some cases, subsidies are based on income.

France’s Healthcare

Health insurance is provided by a small selection of nonprofit health insurance companies. These companies are funded by tax dollars. Most of the health care expenses are being paid by public insurance. Most individuals must purchase private insurance to be covered entirely.

Private insurance is provided either through an employer or a voucher. In this country, the government is responsible for setting prices for health services and drugs and can even control the number of new doctors and equipment available in hospitals.

Germany’s Healthcare

Germany has two types of health insurance: a national public system and a private system. The national system charges a monthly premium based on income, which is paid in part by employees and employers.

Private insurance works just like it does here; most people get it as an add on to another insurance. The government also sets limits here: specifically on how much doctors can earn and how much they can charge for their services.

What Does That Mean For Your Health Insurance Currently?

How will this affect the health insurance world as we know it? Good news for those who are currently uninsured: you would be covered (rather quickly), although you would have to pay for your services through taxes. If your income is low enough, there would be no cost to you at all. If you are insured through your work, you would no longer have to pay for health insurance through your employer, but you would still be responsible for a premium based on income.

For those who are already on Medicare, the new Medicare For All would simply expand your coverage to include dental, vision, hearing aids, some long-term care costs, and all prescription drug costs over $200 annually. You would no longer have premiums or co-pays for care, but you would pay taxes if you are still working. If you are on the Medicare Advantage plan, you would have to drop it and switch to the government based program.

In the case you are currently on Medicaid, your choice of doctors and hospitals will increase, and your out-of-pocket costs would remain low. The bad part here is if you are still working, you could potentially pay more in taxes.

If you are self-insured, you would now pay for your health insurance through taxes. Your out-of-pocket costs could go either way; either somewhat higher or significantly lower. It is also possible you could gain a broader range of doctors and hospitals. Veteran care will not change at all under Medicare For All for at least the next ten years. Individuals would use the same health care system and would pay nothing out of pocket.