For those of us in the United States - how well does your state provide services?

[Insight329]

Rheumatology Report Card for each state:

rheumatology.org/About-Us/N...

[yogabonnie]

Thanks for this. So please I am in a blue A state!

[Insight329 in reply to yogabonnie]

I’m in a B state with my city bordering a C state.

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Voters, take note of how well your state ranks against others.

If you're still on private insurance, you might not care now, but wait until you hit Medicare/Medicaid territory.

[bunnymom in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Has Medicaid not been a good experience? There in 3 years.

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to bunnymom]

It depends on the issue.

Some things they handle very well. Others, you have limited choices in testing and treatments.

And there's always the issue of finding quality providers who take Medicare patients.

[SheffieldJane]

That’s interesting, for those of us in the U.K. who don’t pay and perhaps imagine that you get a gold star treatment.

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to SheffieldJane]

You pay. You pay for it with taxes.

We pay. We pay for it with taxes and with insurance premiums that are like mortgage payments. It's not quite as bad if you are employed and your employer has a decent health insurance plan, but if you're on your own, you get taken to the cleaners.

[SheffieldJane in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

I think that we are treated like we should be grateful sometimes though.

[Insight329 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I'll use myself as an example to expand on Good_Grief's comment on health insurance. I have a Single coverage health care plan. That means I'm the only one covered on it. I've got a really good plan through my employer and I pay appr. $80.00 for it every two weeks. My employer picks up the rest of the premium. (I think if I'd ever leave my job it would cost over $500 a month to continue this plan -- probably more as I haven't checked on it for a few years.)

I am being treated for GCA, PMR, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, my GCA/PMR has been very manageable - no surprises/very few flares and no problems with managing my blood pressure. I go in for blood work every month and see my Rheumatologist once every 3-4 months. The only expense that I've had to incur outside of the office visits, lab work and prescriptions was for an ultrasound of the heart (no problems; totally preemptive). So far this year, my medical bills have totaled around $4,500. I've been responsible for $1,500 of that $4,500 (my deductible and 20% of costs/co-insurance) plus my insurance premiums of $1,440. I see all doctors "in network" which means they have a fee structure agreement with my health insurance provider to keep costs 'low' which in turn keep my costs 'low' (or lower than if I saw an out-of-network provider.) I think at the end of the year, my out of pocket expenses (including my premiums for the health insurance) will be around $4,000 -- and that's with excellent insurance and being lucky as I've had no medical surprises/emergencies and have had minimum contact with my Rheumatologist/Primary Care Physicians. Plus, I live in an area that have plenty of Rheumatologists due to multiple medical schools in the area. It's a whole different story for those without health insurance and in areas without access to Rheumatology.

I just pulled up some statistics and 42% of all personal bankruptcies in the US are a result of medical expenses -- and 78% of those who filed had insurance. Sad!

[Mstiles]

Can’t seem to access the report?

[Baileyw06]

Great article, my state is a c. I am lucky, I have a great primary Doctor that has a lot of patients with PMR. She also has listened to me and we have used the slow tapering and is now using on other patients.

[Insight329 in reply to Baileyw06]

Me, too, Bailey. I'm so fortunate that I have a doctor that is reasonable and wants a 'partnership' with me. I, too, shared PMR Pro's and Lady Dorset's reduction methods. The last time I saw him, we discussed my tapering schedule and he instructed me on reducing using one of their plans. I just smiled, shook my head, and said, "Thank you, I'll do that." Made me so proud of our expert ladies.

[Purplecrow in reply to Insight329]

👏🏽👏🏽💜 for our "PMR Pros.

[Joaclp]

Thanks. Very interesting. I'm in a blue state not far from the green state, Maryland. Not that my medicare would be good across state lines.

[cdenoncourt]

Your Medicare is good in all states if you choose “traditional medicare” instead of a “Medicare Advantage” plan. The annual window for you to make a change is coming up: October 15 through December 7, I believe.

[Joaclp in reply to cdenoncourt]

Thank you. I spoke out of turn, sorry. I checked--my Medicare is traditional and I have an AARP supplement, paid for by former employer, that allows for travel.

[Purplecrow]

Live in a B state. Feel fortunate that my primary care doc is research savvy and diagnosed my PMR 5 years ago. Referral to a rheumy who knew considerably less, at that time, but who was willing to work with me. She has since become much more educated (sez I, who knows all from the wise ones on this forum)😁

Medicare was intimidating in the beginning, but lots of help from others got me thru the maze of mumbo jumbo paperwork.

Now medicare is fine.

Still pay monthly insurance premiums of nearly$500 for my medical dental and pharm care.😱

[bunnymom in reply to Purplecrow]

$500 for just you? Yikes!