Two other IMO important properties of this setup is that insurances are required to offer basically the same thing: they have some leeway in requiring one to jump through some hoops before visiting a doctor, but then there is no concept of a "network" of doctors, nor can insurances have any exclusions for preexisting conditions (I gather that post ObamaCare this is also true in the USA?).
/* either of you: please feel very free to tell me to butt out */