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How much do Americans actually pay for healthcare? (pawb.social)

submitted 3 months ago by savvywolf@pawb.social to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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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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[-] Itdidnttrickledown@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

I quit even responding to them. After two or three years I'll get sued for a very small amount. It will be some radiologist who looked over a xray who has sold his debt to some bottom feeders. I wait until I'm served then I pay it. Within six months some other bottom feeder will serve me again for the same debt. When I go to court showing it was paid I can generally get my money back from the second bottom feeder. I've done this three times and got paid twice. The third time cost me nothing but time. Its long drawn out and stupid but its the shit sandwich we are forced to eat to live in the Home of the fee.

this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024

240 points (98.4% liked)

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