What’s needed is some sort of service that covers health at a national level. Model it on systems in other countries but do it better because it’s America.
Had to take my 3 yr old son to the ER last week.
Fear was appendicitis but after 45 min of moaning he burped for 5 seconds & was fine🤦♂️so we asked to leave.
The bill? $4,179 😵💫 WHAT?!
I called the hospital billing dept. You won't believe how this ends.
Here's the breakdown:
$2,215 - "The visit"
$740 - 2 min visit with the doc
$1,224 - "Standard" nurse's swab of my son's throat & nostrils for covid/strep test
$0.07 - Tylenol (how generous)
I proceed to tell them (politely) that the same "tests" are $50 at a pharmacy down the road & they weren't even related to my son's symptoms. There must be a mistake.
Nope.
I tell her we're technically "cash pay" (we are members of a healthcare sharing org), and ask if there is a cash-pay discount.
She says, "Yes. Let me calculate it for you."
Cash pay price: $685 TOTAL
Of course, I'm relieved personally, but I can't help but think...
THIS is why millions are paying insane amounts in insurance premiums every month.
ERs/hospitals are out of control.
Can someone make this make sense?