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

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/asklemmy

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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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[–] BugleFingers 10 points 4 months ago

Here's a break down of my last healthcare stuff.

Weekly insurance out of paycheck: $127

Psychiatrist (ADHD) $150ish a visit, meds are ~$98

Last PCP visit (included some general blood tests) $217 (mostly lab which wasn't covered)

Last ER visit: $792, waited over 10 hrs told to take an Advil and go home. Turns out I tore some of the sack (for lack of a better word) around my organs from weightlifting. it was thought a suspect gall bladder issue. I learned this from not the hospital.

And my appendix removal ended up costing me just over $9,000.

This is all what I paid out of pocket, the actual numbers for gross was, well, gross. I don't need medical aid too often but it ends up pricey if I do.