Help - USA Healthcare for Dummies!

caveatemptor1

So myself and my husband are moving to the US on L1a and L2 Visa very shortly. I have to admit that there are so many small cultural nuances that I don't understand and any help would be fantastic.
In particular, Im a bit bogged down in trying to understand healthcare. We are covered under his company's insurance scheme for medical, dental and optical. From what I understand, here are the terms for medical care:

- PPO scheme: Employee + Dependants coverage
- Hospital In and out-patient: 100% after deductible (80% (non-network))
- Out of pocket maximum: $3,000/individual - $6,000/family (Network)
- Deductible: $ 1,500/individual - $4,000/family (Network)
- Co-insurance: 100% (network) – 80% (non-network)
- Prescription drug: in network (i.e. coverage table)

Can anyone enlighten me as to what all of this means! Ive done a bit of googling and I think PPO is that you can choose any doctors from within the insurance company network. Other than that, im still in the dark!

Also, Im confused as to how it all works then if Im honest. In Ireland, we have a GP who refers you to other doctors. In the US, is this the case or do you have a series of doctors? A dermatologist, sports medicine for injuries, gynecologist for contraception, dentist, hygienist etc?
Its amazing how difficult it can be to find really simple, straightforward information but its fundamental information we need to understand!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Dave1442397

Don't worry, it may never make sense, but you can always call the HR people at work to help you out.

Here's a link showing the differences between an HMO and a PPO. It might help with some of your questions - https://www.humana.com/individual-and-family/products-and-services/medical-plans/hmo-vs-ppo

Basically, if you get all your medical care from the approved network, it will cost you less and you should have less paperwork to deal with.

You can use doctors outside the network (some people do this because they have existing relationships with preferred doctors) but it will cost more. No point to that in your case, where everything is new to you.

Your Primary Physician (= GP in Ireland) can refer you to specialists as needed. With a PPO, you don't actually need a referral to see a specialist, but you should try to pick one within the network. You can always look at the insurance company's website for a list of doctors/dentists/specialists and pick the ones you like.

Dental coverage may or may not be part of your plan, but if it is, they usually cover cleaning and exam every six months, and then they have partial coverage for fillings, crowns etc. If you get into cosmetic dentistry it most likely won't be covered.

There may also be vision coverage, which can be good or bad, depending on the provider. Ours is pretty good, covering an annual eye exam and paying 100% for my contacts, plus an allowance of a few hundred dollars towards glasses.

As far as actually using the coverage, you'll find in most cases you don't have to deal with the billing side of things. You go to the doctor/dentist, they bill the insurance company, and then you'll get a bill for whatever wasn't covered under your insurance. They're pretty good about telling you how much you'll have to pay out of pocket - they're used to dealing with insurance companies.

For prescription drugs, the insurance company keeps a list of 'approved' drugs. They will generally push you towards generic drugs when possible. If a doctor prescribes something that's not covered and is expensive, go back and ask them if they can give you a prescription for a generic version of the drug, or switch to something that is covered by insurance. Again, doctors are pretty well up on what's going to be covered, and will work with you to minimize your cost when possible.

Some companies have an option for flexible spending accounts, which have all sorts of names depending on the company and insurance company. This is a way to set aside pre-tax dollars in an account that can only be used to cover your out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays for drugs and any other medical costs that were not covered by your insurance.
Be careful if you use this option. Some companies allow you to roll over unused funds to the next calendar year, but in some cases, it's use it or lose it. You may also not be able to take remaining funds with you if you leave your employer - again, that depends on the company and the type of health plan you have.
If you know up front that you'll have monthly prescriptions to fill, and have say a $50 out-of-pocket co-pay per month, then you can set aside $600 in your flexible spending account and use that for the co-pays (the insurance co usually gives you a Visa card that you can use for this).

caveatemptor1

Wow, thank you so much for such a comprehensive reply, that is exactly the kind of information we need!
I presume out of pocket is the amount we will have to pay personally and anything above that is covered by the insurance. Are GP fees usually covered or do you pay per visit like in Ireland?

I will ask HR to send me a more comprehensive overview of the plan but sometimes even the different terms used can be confusing so thank you so much for helping to clear up some of my concerns!

One other concern we have is establishing a credit rating, it seems impossible to do anything such as get a mobile phone contract or get car finance without establishing yourself as credit worthy in the US. we have obviously done these things in Europe but I'm just concerned that it will take a long time here. Have you any advice on how we can make it as smooth as possible?

We have reference letters from previous landlords, have perfect credit scores in the UK (where we lived for 5 years prior to this move) and can get some support from the company but it important to us to have credit in our own names.

Thank you again!

spideog7

caveatemptor1 wrote: »

- PPO scheme: Employee + Dependants coverage
- Hospital In and out-patient: 100% after deductible (80% (non-network))
- Out of pocket maximum: $3,000/individual - $6,000/family (Network)
- Deductible: $ 1,500/individual - $4,000/family (Network)
- Co-insurance: 100% (network) – 80% (non-network)
- Prescription drug: in network (i.e. coverage table)

Your deductible is what you pay for procedures before your insurance company will pay anything. The exception to that is co-pays, most insurance will have a set fee for some basic services like GP, Specialist, Urgent Care, ER etc. if that's the case you pay the co-pay only (regardless of how much the visit costs) but be aware that the copay doesn't count towards your deductible.

For services with no co-pay you will pay the billed rate up until you've paid your entire deductible in the year. After that you may have to pay a co-insurance (in your case the insurance company covers 100% after your deductible). Again the co-pay is an exception, even after you've paid your entire deductible you will still have to pay your co-pay.

Just by having insurance you will get a discount on the cash price, this is the agreed rate that the insurance company has with the provider, in many cases the difference is drastic, I've seen the cash price be 10x the actual network rate on some of my bills.

Example:
You have minor surgery the bill is $10,000. The insurance rate is $2000. You pay $1500, now your deductible is gone so you pay your co-insurance on the remaining $500, in your case this is 0% so the insurance company pays the rest.

Example:
You have an ER co-pay of $150. You go to the ER and a few weeks later the bill for $2000 arrives, you pay your co-pay of $150, nothing else. This is the case regardless of how much you've paid towards your deductible.

Side note: Be aware that an Urgent Care is much cheaper than ER (usually your specialist co-pay I think) for simple things like x-rays, stitches etc. where possible go to an Urgent Care (usually only open 8am to 8pm or similar times).

Dave1442397 wrote: »

As far as actually using the coverage, you'll find in most cases you don't have to deal with the billing side of things. You go to the doctor/dentist, they bill the insurance company, and then you'll get a bill for whatever wasn't covered under your insurance.

Be careful with this, the hospital will try to bill you as much as they can, even though the insurance company has paid them the agreed network rate already, so double check your bills and make sure you understand them.

In general the best way to deal with the terribly expensive and complicated healthcare system in the USA is to never get sick.

caveatemptor1

Thanks so much Spideog7, that is all really useful information particularly the examples. I think I may need to clarify with HR regarding CO-pay as we have had no mention of that.
Really don't intend to get sick any time soon but even for the future, if we plan to have kids we need to know what maternity costs we could be liable for.

I always find healthcare insurance a minefield, regardless of what country we live in! Its just getting used to a different system again!

él statutorio

caveatemptor1 wrote: »

Wow, thank you so much for such a comprehensive reply, that is exactly the kind of information we need!
I presume out of pocket is the amount we will have to pay personally and anything above that is covered by the insurance. Are GP fees usually covered or do you pay per visit like in Ireland?

I will ask HR to send me a more comprehensive overview of the plan but sometimes even the different terms used can be confusing so thank you so much for helping to clear up some of my concerns!

One other concern we have is establishing a credit rating, it seems impossible to do anything such as get a mobile phone contract or get car finance without establishing yourself as credit worthy in the US. we have obviously done these things in Europe but I'm just concerned that it will take a long time here. Have you any advice on how we can make it as smooth as possible?

We have reference letters from previous landlords, have perfect credit scores in the UK (where we lived for 5 years prior to this move) and can get some support from the company but it important to us to have credit in our own names.

Thank you again!

Depending where you are, what some companies do is, on top of health insurance you have a savings account that you and your employer pay into, it can only be used for medical expenses, like getting medicines etc but it's also used to offset medical costs, like if your insurance covers 80% of some procedure you'd use your HSA account to pay for the rest. It's tax free (or at least reduced tax) so it's worth looking into it if it's offered.

You can get a bill plan with t-mobile with no credit history. (I did) the only caveat being that international calls were blocked (texting was fine though).

With regard to car financing, in my situation we just bought our cars with cash on Craigslist. You'll have insurance and registration to add to that though (Not to mention sales tax on the transaction).

Letters from landlords will probably help, (where are you moving to?) but if you're moving to somewhere like San Francisco it may just come down to money.

Pick a bank and speak to them about establishing a credit history, they're actually super helpful in the branches in my experience (Bank of America) and they helped me get set up.

él statutorio

spideog7 wrote: »

Side note: Be aware that an Urgent Care is much cheaper than ER .

This, so much of this!

We got burned in the ER this year when our little one had a fever. Ended up with a $2,500 bill which we had to pay because we had a $5k deductable.

Learned an expensive lesson!

TeaBagMania

In short, healthcare in the US sucks and that idiot obama is only making it worse.

Don’t feel obligated to enroll with your employer’s insurance benefits. I found an insurance plan outside my company with better benefits for less money. Find a local healthcare insurance agent.

Medical and Dental will be two separate policies (in all my years I’ve never seen them combined)

Credit is easy enough to establish here compared to Ireland. Get a hold of one of the big credit card companies like Capitol One. They will start you out with a small credit limit card and slowly raise the limit over time as you establish yourself. Typically a year or two.

I’ve had the best luck with credit unions versus banks. They can provide, checking, savings, CC accounts and lines of credit if needed.

iusedtoknow

TeaBagMania wrote: »

In short, healthcare in the US sucks and that idiot obama is only making it worse.

Don’t feel obligated to enroll with your employer’s insurance benefits. I found an insurance plan outside my company with better benefits for less money. Find a local healthcare insurance agent.

Ignore this advice. L1 visa means that you earn over a certain level, and the coverage is usually 80% or more covered by your employer. A similar level of coverage as with what I get through my employer would cost us around $15000 a year per person - instead...we pay 2000 between us

As for your comment about Obamacare. My wife is a physician at a teaching hospital here in San Francisco. The amount of people that are now able to afford healthcare and get the treatment needed both by being able to afford insurance through Covered California and the lowering of Medicaid thresholds is incredible. Her unit recently completed a transplant on a patient that up until Obamacare...would simply have died waiting for mediCal to release the funds to even have them put on the transplant list.

TeaBagMania

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Ignore this advice. L1 visa means that you earn over a certain level, and the coverage is usually 80% or more covered by your employer. A similar level of coverage as with what I get through my employer would cost us around $15000 a year per person - instead...we pay 2000 between us

As for your comment about Obamacare. My wife is a physician at a teaching hospital here in San Francisco. The amount of people that are now able to afford healthcare and get the treatment needed both by being able to afford insurance through Covered California and the lowering of Medicaid thresholds is incredible. Her unit recently completed a transplant on a patient that up until Obamacare...would simply have died waiting for mediCal to release the funds to even have them put on the transplant list.

You might pay less with your employer as opposed to outside coverage, not all of us are blessed with such great insurance at work. All im saying is double check with an insurance broker, they can compare outside plans to what is offered by your employer.
Obamacare is nothing more than another tax on people that already have insurance. If people want healthcare they can get a job and pay the insurance premiums just like I have being doing my entire life

iusedtoknow

TeaBagMania wrote: »

You might pay less with your employer as opposed to outside coverage, not all of us are blessed with such great insurance at work. All im saying is double check with an insurance broker, they can compare outside plans to what is offered by your employer.
Obamacare is nothing more than another tax on people that already have insurance. If people want healthcare they can get a job and pay the insurance premiums just like I have being doing my entire life

well not everyone is blessed with the ability to get jobs or ones good enough that provide healthcare (especially contractors or people that get 1099 instead of w2 taxes), some fell through the cracks others suffered as the economy changed. Obamacare has allowed everyone the chance to get insurance, not based on what job they do or even if they can afford it. It's a tax that a US tax payer (and irish citizen) I am willing to pay. I'd much rather pay towards someones healthcare than see them die due to lack of medical care.

Most people on the board were raised in Ireland/Europe where universal healthcare is the norm and appreciated by everyone in society.

Back on topic...
The OP is coming on the L1/L2 visa meaning that they will be in the higher end salary wise. Most companies that bring people over on L1 (like myself) offer extremely competitive and high quality coverage that will suit people that are here for a few years. We went with the PPO with united and couldn't be happier. It takes some time to get through it all and understand it - but one thing that helped us was joining One Medical. They charge $100 a year, but they pave the way through the system a lot easier than many Primary care physicians. They're basically healthcare concierges but work with your insurance company and help you navigate

spideog7

él statutorio wrote: »

Depending where you are, what some companies do is, on top of health insurance you have a savings account that you and your employer pay into, it can only be used for medical expenses, like getting medicines etc but it's also used to offset medical costs, like if your insurance covers 80% of some procedure you'd use your HSA account to pay for the rest. It's tax free (or at least reduced tax) so it's worth looking into it if it's offered.

There are rules regarding the HSA that mean they are only available for catastrophic healthcare plans, which means the plan will have no copay and usually (but not necessarily) a higher deductible.

The idea is to put more of the burden for cost on the consumer so that they a) shop around and b) don't make unnecessary visits thus freeing up the system. Depending on your tax bracket they can be quite advantageous since a lot of stuff can be paid from a HSA including vision and dental care, even if you don't have insurance that covers that.

Dave1442397

caveatemptor1 wrote: »

I presume out of pocket is the amount we will have to pay personally and anything above that is covered by the insurance. Are GP fees usually covered or do you pay per visit like in Ireland?

One other concern we have is establishing a credit rating, it seems impossible to do anything such as get a mobile phone contract or get car finance without establishing yourself as credit worthy in the US. we have obviously done these things in Europe but I'm just concerned that it will take a long time here. Have you any advice on how we can make it as smooth as possible?

We have reference letters from previous landlords, have perfect credit scores in the UK (where we lived for 5 years prior to this move) and can get some support from the company but it important to us to have credit in our own names.

Thank you again!

You're welcome!

Yes, out of pocket is just what you'll have to pay personally - the rest is covered. You can check your ER coverage and see what the co-pay is. Our plan has a $100 co-pay for the ER, but I'm not sure about Urgent Care, as we've never used it.

I wouldn't get too worried about all this stuff. My wife had some serious surgery a few years ago, with a 10-day hospital stay (8 days in Intensive Care, 2 days in Precautionary Care).

The bill was $190,647.37. We paid $240. Works for me.

As for credit history, it takes a while to build up in this country, but it's easy to get started. Look at the big banks like Wells Fargo or Bank of America. Here's BoA's page about cards to start with - https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/credit-cards-to-build-credit.go

For car loans, etc, try to use a Credit Union, as suggested by others. Your company may be associated with a CU, but if not, I think the best one out there is Pentagon Federal - www.penfed.org

You can join PenFed for around $20 by supporting the National Military Family association.

They tend to have the best rates for car loans (except when dealers are offering 0% financing). I got 0.99% for my car, used.

Without a credit history, the dealers will try to jack the rates up as high as possible, which happened to me back in 1990.

PenFed may not give you the lowest rate with no credit history, but they will do what they can to help you secure the best rate possible.

Also, know that you can refinance a car loan. If you end up with a high rate, but build a good credit rating over six months to a year, you can simply refinance your car loan at a lower rate.

I like this site for getting your credit rating at any time - https://www.creditkarma.com/

By law, the three major credit agencies have to give you a free copy of your credit report every year. That's worth doing just to make sure everything looks ok as far as credit cards in your name, etc. There's only one legit web site to order this - see https://www.ftc.gov/faq/consumer-protection/get-my-free-credit-report

At any major corporation, you'll find plenty of people on visas who have just gone through all this. I work with a lot of people from India who are here on H1B visas, and they know all about getting started. Just ask around when you get here and you'll get help in no time. Remember, trust but verify! Not everyone does their research.

caveatemptor1

Dave1442397 wrote: »

I wouldn't get too worried about all this stuff. My wife had some serious surgery a few years ago, with a 10-day hospital stay (8 days in Intensive Care, 2 days in Precautionary Care).

The bill was $190,647.37. We paid $240. Works for me.

Wow, this does put my mind at ease a lot. I think a lot of what had me worried was the bad press that healthcare in the US gets. The system here has many flaws but when you grow up in it, you understand how it works. It just seems more complicated due to the raft of different options in the US!

Thanks all for the advice on credit unions, it hadn't even entered my mind and makes so much sense for car loans.

él statutorio wrote: »

Letters from landlords will probably help, (where are you moving to?) but if you're moving to somewhere like San Francisco it may just come down to money.

We are moving to Boston, a city well accustomed to Irish newcomers so I am sure they will be used to dealing with people in our situation but thank you all for your help and putting my mind at ease!

Does anyone have any advice on househunting? Is craigslist/zillow/trulia the way to go or is it worth our while engaging realtors? My husband will be going ahead of me next week so the poor guy will have to find our home on his own - I think he is feeling the pressure! I will follow in the new year.

Thank you all again, it makes such a difference to talk to people who have been through the move and know where we are at!

Dave1442397

caveatemptor1 wrote: »

Does anyone have any advice on househunting? Is craigslist/zillow/trulia the way to go or is it worth our while engaging realtors? My husband will be going ahead of me next week so the poor guy will have to find our home on his own - I think he is feeling the pressure! I will follow in the new year.

Thank you all again, it makes such a difference to talk to people who have been through the move and know where we are at!

If you're renting, then Craigslist/Zillow/Trulia are great places to look, and will give you a good idea as to how much houses/apartments are renting for in the area.

Where I live, you can rent a nice 3 bedroom apartment for $1500/mo, but you can rent a house in a nice neighborhood starting at around $2000/mo.

Personally, I would avoid sharing walls or ceilings with neighbors. You just never know how loud your neighbors will be until you move in. With a house, you get a little more separation.

TeaBagMania

iusedtoknow wrote: »

well not everyone is blessed with the ability to get jobs or ones good enough that provide healthcare (especially contractors or people that get 1099 instead of w2 taxes), some fell through the cracks others suffered as the economy changed. Obamacare has allowed everyone the chance to get insurance, not based on what job they do or even if they can afford it. It's a tax that a US tax payer (and irish citizen) I am willing to pay. I'd much rather pay towards someones healthcare than see them die due to lack of medical care.

Most people on the board were raised in Ireland/Europe where universal healthcare is the norm and appreciated by everyone in society.

Back on topic...
The OP is coming on the L1/L2 visa meaning that they will be in the higher end salary wise. Most companies that bring people over on L1 (like myself) offer extremely competitive and high quality coverage that will suit people that are here for a few years. We went with the PPO with united and couldn't be happier. It takes some time to get through it all and understand it - but one thing that helped us was joining One Medical. They charge $100 a year, but they pave the way through the system a lot easier than many Primary care physicians. They're basically healthcare concierges but work with your insurance company and help you navigate

The fact that someone decides to be a contractor and work a 1099 job or do nothing and sit at home without insurance is their decision and shouldn’t affect me personally. Insurance plans are available in a wide variety and affordable enough that even a minimum wage employee can afford them. The problem is people choose not to purchase health insurance because they don’t need it today right now or lack the foresight to think about what could happen tomorrow

I’m so glad you’re willing to pay the obamacare tax, you can pay my share too because I am not willing to get raped yet again with another tax.

With the universal health care system in Ireland you pay the tax and get the healthcare benefits, so why are we paying insurance premiums as well as getting taxed for obamacare?

Back on topic

Just because the OP is on a particular visa or earns a higher salary means nothing. It’s what their employer is willing to offer. I work for a well known worldwide corporation that sells products around the globe, in fact, our devices are probably in almost every home and business on the planet yet our insurance is garbage, and there is no special plan for senior management or corporate executives that ear over X amount. Everyone is offered the same insurance plans regardless

InTheTrees

TeaBagMania wrote: »

With the universal health care system in Ireland you pay the tax and get the healthcare benefits, so why are we paying insurance premiums as well as getting taxed for obamacare?

Because ObamaCare would never have passed without including the participation of the insurance companies that pay for the politicians reelection campaigns.

How would you have fixed the old system?

TeaBagMania

There was nothing wrong with the old system, you pay your insurance premiums and go to the doctor when you need to. That simple

Obamacare only works for those that have been out of work for year, and in this country you have to NOT want a job to be out of work for a year. I saw 15 jobs on the chalk board at Home Depot last week

Also, because of obamacare we’re seeing more employers only hire part time employees so they can forgo having to pay for the benefits, yeah thanks obama you’re plan is really helping the economy.

That idiot in the white house destroyed a system that wasn’t broken

él statutorio

TeaBagMania wrote: »

There was nothing wrong with the old system, you pay your insurance premiums and go to the doctor when you need to. That simple

Obamacare only works for those that have been out of work for year, and in this country you have to NOT want a job to be out of work for a year. I saw 15 jobs on the chalk board at Home Depot last week

Also, because of obamacare we’re seeing more employers only hire part time employees so they can forgo having to pay for the benefits, yeah thanks obama you’re plan is really helping the economy.

That idiot in the white house destroyed a system that wasn’t broken

If you really believe that the old system wasn't broken, then the idiot isn't in the White House.

The new system may not be perfect but it is better than the old one.

TeaBagMania

él statutorio wrote: »

If you really believe that the old system wasn't broken, then the idiot isn't in the White House.

The new system may not be perfect but it is better than the old one.

The new system is perfect if you’re unemployed and plan on staying that way, it’s just free healthcare for them and more money out of the pockets of the working people.
We can only pray the next president reverses everything
The true definition of an idiot is those that happily agree to pay more taxes in an already overtaxed society

spideog7

What about the millions of people who, through no fault of their own, have pre-existing conditions?

While I'm not the biggest fan of the ACA it is a reasonable compromise given that the conservatives will fight any real solution tooth and nail. It benefits more than just freeloaders.

TeaBagMania

If the government wants to get into the healthcare business and offer plans to those with preexisting conditions im all for it, as long as those participants pay the premiums for the benefits.
My issue is the government passing the buck onto me for other individuals healthcare.

él statutorio

TeaBagMania wrote: »

The new system is perfect if you’re unemployed and plan on staying that way, it’s just free healthcare for them and more money out of the pockets of the working people.
We can only pray the next president reverses everything
The true definition of an idiot is those that happily agree to pay more taxes in an already overtaxed society

The US is not by any means an over taxed society.

iusedtoknow

él statutorio wrote: »

The US is not by any means an over taxed society.

Damn right. My federal tax rate is 25% (more or less)

In europe, if i was earning what I do here it would be 48%. The US is many things, over taxed it is not.

TeaBagMania

él statutorio wrote: »

The US is not by any means an over taxed society.

Ill agree to disagree with you on that issue, IMO for what we\I currently pay we should already be receiving state healthcare coverage.
On a separate note, over half of my property taxes go the county school system, and I don’t even have kids!!!
Every time I open my wallet the government (federal, state, and local) has their hand in it. I understand all countries have taxes but the US squanders it and gives it residents almost nothing in return. Don’t see any other country on the planet sending their citizens tax money to offshore countries that hate them and would rather see them dead.

TeaBagMania

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Damn right. My federal tax rate is 25% (more or less)

In europe, if i was earning what I do here it would be 48%. The US is many things, over taxed it is not.

Start adding it all up, California has one of the highest state taxes, then add any local or city taxes, and don’t forget your property taxes. Im sure there are more I can’t think of.
In the end you probably won’t be far off

él statutorio

TeaBagMania wrote: »

Start adding it all up, California has one of the highest state taxes, then add any local or city taxes, and don’t forget your property taxes. Im sure there are more I can’t think of.
In the end you probably won’t be far off

It's still significantly less than what I'd pay in Europe.

iusedtoknow

TeaBagMania wrote: »

Start adding it all up, California has one of the highest state taxes, then add any local or city taxes, and don’t forget your property taxes. Im sure there are more I can’t think of.
In the end you probably won’t be far off

Even with CA state tax, my marginal rate hovers around 28%-30%. Still a lot lower than what we'd be paying in Ireland - in fact I ran our figures through a tax calculator....it is A LOT less than we'd be paying in ireland.

él statutorio

iusedtoknow wrote: »

Even with CA state tax, my marginal rate hovers around 28%-30%. Still a lot lower than what we'd be paying in Ireland - in fact I ran our figures through a tax calculator....it is A LOT less than we'd be paying in ireland.

My missus is an accountant, she ran all the numbers too and we're hitting around the same percentages as yourself. In Ireland it was significantly higher.

TeaBagMania

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_tax_rates


Im looking at the individual max column, the max federal taxes are about the same before you throw in state and local, and let’s not forget that Ireland max includes healthcare

iusedtoknow

TeaBagMania wrote: »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_tax_rates


Im looking at the individual max column, the max federal taxes are about the same before you throw in state and local, and let’s not forget that Ireland max includes healthcare

No....it does not. You are forgetting the Universal social charge which can be upto 7% on top of your income tax, depending on your income bracket that actually pays for health care etc.

and then not to mention the E100 you pay to go to A&E and the ~E75 or more you pay to go to your GP.