General Discussion

Old Crank

(7,429 posts)

38. We are in Germany

Fri Jun 26, 2026, 10:29 AM

Friday

It will be 11 years for me July 1st.
My wife came on a work visa, I came on her coattails, Now we have permanent visas.
Ours is the statutory insurance. I was on hers for a while as a dependent. Then on my ownwhen I claimed social security. Then she was on mine as a dependent until her German pension kicked in and now her social security.
I've been paying less than Medicare part B and she is now a bit above that because of the German pension.

When hospitalized I have only been charged for my hospital stays. $10 per day. My cochlear implant $50, I did have to pay $135 for some therapy. Another 5 nights for gallstones and gallbladder surgery. My wife just had a breast cancer lump removed and radiation therapy. 3 days for the lumpectomy, $30. Radiation covered. Yes there have been some other expenses. But what a difference.

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Hospital Bill, German style [View all] DFW Thursday OP

30 years ago lapfog_1 Thursday #1

We can only hope popsdenver Thursday #2

I can't look. Thanks for posting. I just can't look. Have a great day. twodogsbarking Thursday #3

It was peanuts compared to what you'd pay back in the USA DFW Thursday #9

I'm glad to see you posting today& that you are well enough to do so. irisblue Thursday #4

Thanks for the kind words! DFW Thursday #6

Best wishes DFW and thanks for the perspective. ED Evolve Dammit Thursday #5

No sweat! I haven't been in an American hospital overnight since 2011. DFW Thursday #7

OMG. Thats why med bills are #1 cause of bankruptcy. Evolve Dammit 13 hrs ago #65

That was a weird deal with the billing. DFW 3 hrs ago #67

Here's our Canadian Health story Tripper11 Thursday #8

Here in Germany DFW Thursday #14

Stay Well DFW! We love your posts from across the pond. joanbarnes Thursday #10

If I have not been the cause of fatal boredom DFW Friday #37

Heheh blm Friday #52

What good authority? DFW 3 hrs ago #68

Ain't freedom to choose your poison relogic Thursday #11

Actually, my Doctor in Dallas said I was right to get the procedure done in Germany DFW Thursday #15

Yes relogic Thursday #18

I left Pennsylvania in 1975, so I'm in the dark about what it is like there now DFW Thursday #20

My dear PA relogic Thursday #22

We love you, DFW. So happy to hear that everything is going well for you! ❤️ littlemissmartypants Thursday #12

As well as can be hoped for, anyway!! I am grateful for your comment!! DFW Thursday #21

Many Happy Returns to your bride and condolences for the loss of her mom. ... littlemissmartypants Thursday #23

It's amazing what can happen in fifty years! DFW Thursday #24

It really is! 🌞❤️ littlemissmartypants Thursday #25

Northern Germany, my husband's father Tree Lady Thursday #29

You can still get the citizenship without moving there right away. DFW Friday #42

Happy for your outcome but disappointed in the bill......... KS Toronado Thursday #13

I'm a legal resident here, so you heard wrong DFW Thursday #17

The 19% VAT tax is also used to pay for many of those "free" services MichMan Friday #55

In the US, each state can levy its own state sales tax DFW 3 hrs ago #66

My Angiogram cost $20k 14 yrs ago. Jacson6 Thursday #16

Now THAT is a typical horror story, the likes of which I hear often DFW Thursday #19

Living the life. Love that you are at it. cachukis Thursday #26

I'm still alive DFW Friday #43

Wisdom pays dividends. cachukis Friday #44

Wow, what a great happy ending story! DFW Friday #45

The best of times, the worst of times. cachukis Friday #46

Sometimes the simple things stand out DFW Friday #47

My grandfather was a supervisor in the Back Bay cachukis Friday #49

Thanks, we intend to try! DFW Friday #54

The Scots certainly woke it up. cachukis Friday #56

It would be basically free here in Sweden, so there's that. Celerity Thursday #27

Is that for legal residents, or anyone who shows up? DFW Friday #33

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This message was self-deleted by its author Celerity Thursday #28

I'm glad you are doing well MustLoveBeagles Thursday #30

Thanks! DFW Friday #34

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That sounds typical for all three countries DFW Friday #32

We are in Germany Old Crank Friday #38

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We took TK insurance Old Crank Friday #58

Thanks! Yes, it so seems to have been successful. DFW Yesterday #59

My daughter did her BA abroad in France - TBF Friday #39

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Recommended. H2O Man Friday #48

A socialist country here in Europe. DFW Friday #50

Medical care and education. H2O Man Friday #53

Hospital Bill here in Canada (for Canadians, naturalized included) Justice matters. Friday #51

Canada seems to have learned from the mistakes of other countries. DFW Yesterday #60

Thank you for this touching reply. Justice matters. 18 hrs ago #64

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My last cardiac episode in the USA was in 2011. DFW Yesterday #61

I still feel that it should be completely free, paid with higher taxes Polybius Yesterday #62

Thanks for the well-wishes DFW Yesterday #63