quality of health care when it comes to heart issues

[andrew0099]

Hey everyone.  After reading a lot of the posts on here, I am curious how everyone would rate the quality of care they receive relative to their heart concerns.  Becuase I live in Canada with public healthcare, my family doctor does not hesitate at signing me up for every test in the book. I am scheduled for an upcoming cardiac MRI with no questions asked by a pesky insurance company.... have had every other test leading up to this.  I am not trying to start a political debate here on public vs. private health care... just noticed that some people have been frustrated by insurance companies that wont cover certain tests.  I am simply curious.  thoughts??

[paanda2]

am i also a lucky american blessed with amazing health insurance. i have access to basically any doctor (and this is in new york city!) i want to see and can get any test or drug. that being said though, i don't think that i am any way entitled to this, and it makes me feel terrible that so many people do not have access to the same resources i do. although i have great insurance, i would like to see change in the system so others can have what i have.

[Momto3]

Ditto on what the others have said.  I have never had a problem with medical care.  I have been able to see specialists, have tests, and all followup without any concerns.

Hope your test results are stellar!!  Good luck!

connie

[Jerry_NJ]

I have earned as part of my pay, company provided health insurance since I graduated from College.  I now have government coverage under Medicare, with my private insurance as secondary/back-up.  

My experience has been good, but infrequent as I was lucky to have no need for a heart specialist until I was about 60.  Still, I can say I have received the benefits of competitive medicine:  choice of doctors, facilities, and specialists, and all with reasonable wait times.  I have not seen anything that would appear to be rationing and long wait times, as I understand is common in some countries that have government provided health care.  

I have been served well by our systems in the USA, but they are changing, and time will tell if that is for the better or not.

[twinbee]

My insurance has been great! I've had all the tests (heart mri, heart ct, echo,stress. etc) I get an echo every year. I've been on all different meds (some brand and some generic) and my insurance has paid everything. My insurance has also paid 100% of my ablation which was done out of state. My insurance is a PPI. My co pay is 20.00 for all my doctor visits. My insurance has even approved me for a home PT/INR monitor. So I havve no complaints here.

[ireneo]

I have also had very good care. We use an HMO and usually they get a bad rap. But ours is also into healthy living and preventive care. I like having my doctor, paying a simple co-pay and no paperwork to deal with. My HMO also works with the local hospitals for special cases. I was sent to the university hospital for my heart stuff. No complaints from me.

[dolfnlvr]

My personal experience has been positive.  I am among the lucky ones in the US that has a good health plan that follows through with preventative and assertive medical testing.  Especially in terms of the heart issues I have NEVER had the insurance company fight me on a test or procedure.  

That said, I have had some difficulty with prescription insurance (not the same carrier).  Prescription insurance can be tricky and sometimes they refuse a medication because it is not generic or less expensive. On our plan, you have to use the cheapest med first, then if it doesn't work you get to move up.  Well, when it comes to my heart, I'd really prefer not to play roullette with the medication pistol thanks very much.  

Other than that, I've been quite pleased on that front.