If a government can tell you what meds, what doctors, and where to buy the meds, what test and how often the test are done. You have arrived at government controlled health care similar to the Brits 1 provider system.
We are in that boat. Medicare and Tricare Life (Retired Military over 65). And it SUCKS big time!
It does not cover the costly things, even with a co-pay system like eye glasses or hearing aids which most people over 60 need. I’ve been pricing hearing aids, All are now digital, $3,000-6,0000, they are not rechargeable, and those tiny 1 -2 day batteries are quite expensive.
And I’ll probably have to purchase a separate insurance policy for the cleaning and repair of them. As that is not covered either. I don’t mind a reasonable co-pay, but at my age having to foot the entire bill really bites big into my retirement money. I thought my yearly $500, glasses were expensive enough ( I wear special lenses that don’t come cheap), this is many thousands worse on my retirement.
Costco hearing aids are $2500. The batteries are cheap and they last a week.
I never quite understood why a hearing aid is not considered a covered medical device. Can you (or anyone) tell me what they tell you about that? (My mother is in need of a hearing aid, but the cost is prohibitive, as you know.)
Regards,
PS: The NHS’s actions regarding smokers is preposterous. I wonder...do doctors THEMSELVES agree with this? Or are they just going along with what the government tells them?