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?
Currently, nothing.
If your income is low enough, you can get free insurance through the government. In my experience, the regular doctor checkups and stuff is covered, along with prescriptions and any emergency room visits. The dental portion only covers the worst dentist in town, and vision is non existent.
It’s not great, but medically necessary things are covered without copay or arguing with an insurance company to get it paid for. It’s good enough that I’ve known people who purposely kept their income low to continue to qualify for the free insurance.
Problem is you have to make so little that you can’t live on it with more than 1 person to care for