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?

  • linearchaos@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    9 months ago

    Doc will not provide anesthesia for free. The insurance company will not budge.

    I’m not in a situation where I can just keep hopping over doctors while they all send me to collections, even though $600 is too much to swallow at the moment.

    If I do end up with any form of GI cancer, a lawsuit against the insurer seems pretty reasonable.

    • Teils13@lemmy.eco.br
      2·
      9 months ago

      The people here already spoke of the option of medical tourism, can’t you look up that ? A colonoscopy is not some advanced tech, any decent hospital in latin america will be able to do that. Since you earn US dollars, you could research about making a trip to Mexico (possibly the cheapest option, because it can be done by bus or car), Cuba (possibly the cheapest too, because of the conversion rate and short plane distance), Brazil, etc for the travel, lodging and procedure (and even a little tourism too if you have the time and will XD ).

      • linearchaos@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        9 months ago

        I’m mid-atlantic. Procedure + flight + basic accommodation is still around 2/3 of the anesthesia. Medical tourism works well when you’re uninsured or when the whole procedure isn’t covered. Sadly, I’m already paying a fortune for the insurance. It’s a mid-high plan Blue Cross. F’ing insane they’re taking this line.