this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024
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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?

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[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Going to make another post here, because I want to explain that American's aren't entirely irrational with our health care.

I spent time in the UK and the US, and I have to say that FOR ME, my personal, EXTREMELY privileged situation - The US healthcare system is better than the UK NHS. I say this knowing that if I lose my job, or I get a major illness, that could quickly change.

I pay a reasonable percentage of my paycheck for health insurance. I live in a mid sized town, in reasonable driving distance to several major cities, and the company I work is the single largest employer in the area, which means every doctor in this area is "in network" and I don't have to do any extra paperwork for medical billing.

If I need an MRI for a sports injury, I can get it within a day or two. If I need a CT scan because something unusual comes up on a test, I can get it the same day. If I need surgery for just about any injury, it'll be done within the week. If I need to talk to an expert, I can drive about 2 hours and get an appointment probably within a month (or less if it is an emergency.)

I will pay $0 additional out of pocket for any of the above.... AGAIN, ASSUMING MY SITUATION DOES NOT CHANGE.

My employer, who spends quite a bit on this insurance, very much enjoys this setup. They are the reason that I have this insurance, and I will lose it if I quit.

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