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Poll: Do you have health insurance? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Thayenga 
Germany
Local time: 21:51
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
Health insurance is one of the best "investments" one can make - especially at an advanced age. Medical bills can easily amount to a small fortune, and down-time due to illness can, under the worst circumstances, quickly end a good career and leave nothing but debts behind.
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Mary Worby
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:51
German to English
+ ...
One of the remaining perks of living in the UK is the NHS, such as it is. It means health insurance is a luxury rather than a necessity.
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Evans (X)
Local time: 20:51
Spanish to English
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| Not health insurance as such | Aug 10, 2011 |
but critical illness insurance, in the event of an illness that prevents me from working. Like Mary I rely on the UK's NHS for health treatment, but if I was off work for any length of time due to serious illness I would lose my income as the self-employed get no sick pay, so I pay for critical illness insurance cover.
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slmxyz
Ireland
Local time: 21:51
Turkish to German
+ ...
| it breaks my heart that some folks don't have a health insurance | Aug 10, 2011 |
Every person needs to see a doctor some day or the other. Personally I'd feel very uncomfortable if I wasn't insured, even though it's been ages that I have seen a doctor.
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Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 20:51
Member (2009)
Spanish to English
In the UK healthcare is free for everyone and extremely good (despite what people think).
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Interlangue (X)
Angola
Local time: 21:51
English to French
+ ...
The basic health insurance is compulsory in this country – has been for decades for hired personnel, only several years for self-employed.
Hospital insurance is highly recommended nowadays and is tax-deductible.
I also have a minimum wage insurance to cover any illness or accident that prevents me from working (the contract says it pays out after one month - cannot confirm, never needed it so far).
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 21:51
Spanish to English
+ ...
Living and working in Spain, I pay social security contributions every month and enjoy the state-provided healthcare as a result. I am very happy with the services provided so far, which I find considerably better in many aspects than in my native UK.
However, if the poll is about private health insurance, then the answer is no, as it would be like wearing two pairs of socks for no reason.
[Edited at 2011-08-10 18:30 GMT]
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Martina Klett
Germany
Local time: 21:51
Member
Italian to German
+ ...
In Germany, you have to have health insurance, even as a self-employed person and - as Thayenga - I consider this a good investment, especially since I see my doctors' bill every time I go there, before forwarding them to the insurance company...
[Bearbeitet am 2011-08-10 09:53 GMT]
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Having health insurance is compulsory for everybody in Holland.
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Paul Dixon
Brazil
Local time: 16:51
Portuguese to English
+ ...
| No - can't afford it | Aug 10, 2011 |
In Brazil, taxes (the highest in the world) take up most of your earnings, and rates for translation work are often very low. What little is left goes on food (expensive) and rent (among the highest in the world).
In Brazil we have some companies that offer a kind of health insurance but without fees, you get a card and then see a doctor paying less than normal rates. The advantage is that you only pay when you need it. Regular health insurance is very expensive and, depending on yo... See more In Brazil, taxes (the highest in the world) take up most of your earnings, and rates for translation work are often very low. What little is left goes on food (expensive) and rent (among the highest in the world).
In Brazil we have some companies that offer a kind of health insurance but without fees, you get a card and then see a doctor paying less than normal rates. The advantage is that you only pay when you need it. Regular health insurance is very expensive and, depending on your age and what kind of cover you want, could exceed 10,000 reais which is 17 times the Brazilian minimum wage. ▲ Collapse
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Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 20:51
Member (2010)
French to English
+ ...
There is a two tier medical system here where there are very long waiting lists to see specialists otherwise for those who have Medical cards (means tested) so as I age, I feel I need to keep paying for private health insurance. This year cost me €680 so it's expensive but it means I'll get a much faster appointment. So far I haven't needed it but just got back from doctor who wants me to see cardiologist!
[Edited at 2011-08-10 10:36 GMT]
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Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Local time: 20:51
Member (2010)
French to English
+ ...
There is a two tier medical system here where there are very long waiting lists to see specialists otherwise for those who have Medical cards (means tested) so as I age, I feel I need to keep paying for private health insurance. This year cost me €680 so it's expensive but it means I'll get a much faster appointment. So far I haven't needed it but just got back from doctor who wants me to see cardiologist!
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Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 15:51
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
The tax-funded health system in the U.S. applies only to the very poor and to people who are old or disabled. So health insurance is essential.
Whether one can afford *good* health insurance or not is another matter.
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I make mandatory contributions to the French national health care system, and I also have a private "mutuelle" insurance policy for the part that is not covered by the basic coverage. The additional policy costs around 35 € a month, for just me (not the rest of my family).
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