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?
On average they actually spend $12.500 per year (total, PPP adjusted, at leat that’s the number for 2022)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_total_health_expenditure_per_capita
You as a Brit spend $5.500 (also adjusted) (And as a bonus, at the same time you’re also expected to live 2.8 years longer than the average American.)
Plus the Brit coverage is universal while the US has a significant number of uninsured. We pay double on average including for those that aren’t covered at all. Even though the long lines myths are overblown for countries with universal care, it is important to remember that in the US a lot of people never get the care and we still have massively long wait lines unless we can afford to be first in line. The wealthy have a fast pass.
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I spend more than that just for insurance for two. Actually using it costs far more. Strep? $250. Video call a random person when I’m in bed after puking my brains out? $100 for a five minute call where they tell me to drink water. Minor surgery? Thousands of dollars in bills sent between two months and two years after the surgery.
I really wish you people that it’ll become better one day. It’s just a rip-off and and a way to funnel money from normal people to the rich. Looking at other countries, you could do away with the scary bills. And on top have an extra free $5.000 each year. Per person. And I think it’s extra cruel to rip off people with their health.