What do people dislike about the health care system in the U.S.?
We have received a Definition of Benefits from our insurance company through the latest exclusionary process. This was a “stress test” intended to check heart health during exercise. (Test results were negative, not important for this response.)
The total stay in the hospital was about 90 minutes. So we were charged about $ 70 per minute.
The US national average for similar procedures can be $ 891 [1]. We were also charged for medical treatment only: $ 928.35, which was administered intravenously
Luckily we have health insurance. Our provider paid $ 0 for this particular claim, but somehow negotiated a loan of only $ 2,299 for our process, so “only” we have to pay that amount.
We are very lucky that nothing is wrong, and we did not stay long in the hospital or need major procedures.
Here's the thing — we don't even have bad insurance. I work full-time and my wife works about 35 hours a week. Her employer, public schools, offers a better insurance scheme (negotiated by the teachers' union) than I can get from an international company so we can use her own to pay for the family.
But it would take him a month to pay this one medical bounty on his salary. Luckily I also work, either we will break in or, if so, we are drowning in our emergency aid money to pay off this one medical debt.
have two quick thoughts:
People who say health insurance is optional, should not be approved, and can go outside are NOT OK. The entire US medical system is based on them. Without access to health care they can afford to pay for a few health check-ups at your local doctor's office, unless they are very wealthy. In the same process, they would be fined $ 6,300 — just enough to soak up low-income people. So their options are to pay for a medical plan, or risk a death due to lack of needed treatment.
This transcends simple selfishness. IT'S A CRIME. I wish the ANC could start investigating medical and PROSECUTE cases. Instead, they just sit back and do nothing to improve health care. Compatriots, humor and tears were often used in the defense of our nation — but let me tell you, these medical expenses made our $ 600 Pentagon used in a toilet seat look like a trip to a corner shop.
So now my wife and I have to ask if we can do another test that could save a life, if at all cost. Obviously my wife’s life is more important to me than any medical bills, but she feels remorseful and guilty of spending money. These are decisions that no one should face.
Our health system is broken. It's time to dump her and move on. Please do not teach me about the "inefficiency" of government spending. THERE is nothing more “effective” than what we have now. Not when a standard exam costs more than a monthly salary. I would gladly buy a public option today if one were available. This madness must end NOW.