Hey all, I’m British so I don’t really know the ins and outs of the US healthcare system. Apologies for asking what is probably a rather simple question.
So like most of you, I see many posts and gofundmes about people having astronomically high medical bills. Most recently, someone having a $27k bill even after his death.
However, I have an American friend who is quick to point out that apparently nobody actually pays those bills. They’re just some elaborate dance between insurance companies and hospitals. If you don’t have insurance, the cost is lower or removed entirely. Supposedly.
So I’m just asking… How accurate is that? Consider someone without insurance, a minor physical ailment, a neurodivergent mind and no interest in fighting off harassing people for the rest of their life.
How much would such a person expect to pay, out of their own pocket, for things like check ups, x rays, meds, counselling and so on?
In addition to the actual costs other people are talking about, the mental costs of dealing with the system are inmense.
You have to update your information whenever you change your job. It’s not like your social security number that’d given once and you memorize.
Every year you probably have to review your insurance options and pick one. This is essentially gambling- if you pick a low cost one you save money, unless you actually need to use it.
You probably need to find doctors that are “in network” or pay a lot more.
Sometimes bills are sent directly to you and that’s a mistake. But sometimes you’re supposed to pay and be reimbursed.
You typically don’t know what the costs will be up front, so you have to guess what the best option is. Take a nasty spill on a bike? Is it worth calling an ambulance? Does your insurance cover that? Maybe just walk into the emergency room. But does your insurance cover that? Maybe just call a regular doctor?
In short, there’s a lot of stuff you have to think about as the end user. I’d rather it was just “oh shit you’re hurt, let’s take you to the doctor. Don’t worry about money”