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?

  • nexussapphire@lemm.ee
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    3 months ago

    How do you pay for car insurance or renters insurance? It’s not too dissimilar to that.

    Though, I’ve moved to a state that has deemed me poor enough to give me Medicaid so the taxpayers pay for mine weather I want it or not. It beats paying almost $800 because living with my mother disqualifies me from the affordable care act subsidy.

    • KillingTimeItself@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 months ago

      there are so many insurances that i don’t understand the point of, what am i going to do, accidentally blow up a place i rent? Seems like it’s not my problem.

      • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Renters insurance is great. Upstairs neighbor floods your apartment and destroys your stuff? They replace it. Neighbor lights the place on fire? Replaced. Robbery? Replaced.

        I recently got robbed and it was wonderful knowing that for all that sucked at least I wasn’t out the thousands of dollars that were stolen. And honestly it was weird dealing with an insurer who just said no problem and sent a check