Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
Bit of a twist on previous questions. I currently live in Scotland where we have the National Health Service (NHS) which is free at the point of need, for everyone, rich or poor! The UK is only 1000 miles from one end to the other so distance to a hospital is never a real issue. We seem to have enough Neurologists with MG experience and ours are always good to talk to. They are well paid but perhaps not quite as money focussed?
Having recently retired, my long-suffering wife (US national) and I, probably have one more move in us and going back to her roots is an option.
How expensive would MG in the States be for me and where to go, the best places with good MG Neurologists?
Don't take offence guys, but I do mean civilised places, not too many guns, Red-necks and the like. That said I did like San Antonio Tx, Tucson Az, San Deigo, San Francisco, Colorado Springs and a few other places we've been over the years. We currently enjoy a view across a local river which is rather nice and surely better than a desert or a car lot.
Any thoughts appreciated.
"As the research shows, health insurance won't completely protect you. Many people were bankrupted by high deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses. You should have at least the amount of your deductible in savings."
https://www.thebalance.com/medical-bankruptcy-statistics-4154729
You can read a little about this ar
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/12/us-healthcare-system-leaves-brits-baffled-enraged
The US medical system is pretty much based on your ability to pay and or your insurance willingness to pay. Most of us have horror stories of fighting with insurance companies, not be covered, and a great deal of bankruptcy for medical bills.
And although it looked like things were improving for access to medical care and for access to insurance, that is being undone now. Personally I would not come here if I had medical problems and was not rich or at least able to afford very good insurance -- and that is very expensive for an individual on his own. Even our medication costs are triple the rest of the world (or worse).
Lately too, we have the anti-immigrant view here, and so things are not likely to be easy for folks who come here as non-citizens.
Good Luck
Russ
I moved to the US 6 years ago from England and have had to transition from a well loved NHS to a completely different approach to health care. The health care system here is complex. Depending on what treatment you need for MG, it could be relatively inexpensive - prednisone and mestinon. However, if you need more expensive drugs or hospital treatment, the costs can go way up there.
You can get an idea of medication costs at https://www.goodrx.com/.
Health Insurance is an absolute must, but can also be costly with high deductibles, copays and co-insurance costs. The premiums can also be well into the hundreds of dollars a month. Do your research into health care costs carefully and be prepared to have a good sized nest egg to cover the unexpected. You could take a look on healthcare,gov/see-plans to get an idea of typical premiums, (if you don't have coverage through any other means), other costs and coverage for the location you would like to live.
I live in Alabama and there is a good MG center in Birmingham, Alabama.
Other than Birmingham, good MG neurologists are few and far between where I live. I have a good general neurologist who is familiar with MG and open minded.
Its the deep south here, guns and red-necks are just a small part of this very friendly, welcoming and low cost-of-living state. I love living in the south and there are plenty of civilized small towns not too far from some of the bigger cities. It is hot and humid in summer and I do miss the cooler summers of the UK.
The places you mentioned are beautiful places too and I am sure that other members will be happy to point you to their favourite places. This wonderful country and her people has so much to offer.
I hope you find the perfect place for the both of you, where ever life takes you.
I agree wholeheartedly with everything Russ posted to you about this. Before you and your wife make a decision to move to the US, research and talk to some people here whose demographics are similar to yours. Navigating the healthcare system here is stressful.
Thanks
I agree with Russ and what he posted. I am on disability/Medicare. The costs finally were under cotrol with the affordable care act and now the current administration is undoing and sabatoging the health care system. My costs this year have doubled. That includes medication, co-pays for doctors visits and MRI’s. Our country is in a bit of turmoil and as mentioned an anti-immigration policy is a large part of the current administrations agenda. If I were you, I would wade it out and not make any quick decisions. Good luck and take care!
Robin