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?

  • Horsey
    1•3 months ago

    I pay 9.79$/month for medical only, pre-tax, myself only on the plan, working for a mental healthcare nonprofit. My medical copays have been free lately for routine office visits. I have to get labs done 4 times a year for the meds I take and those have all been free so far. Because they’re classed as “preventative” to make sure nothing goes wrong with the meds, it’s free 🤷🏽‍♂️. Non preventative things have a 2000$ deductible, so I have to pay that much before medical care for the calendar year becomes free to me. That means that if I get sick in December, I have to pay 2000$to cover for December and again in January to cover for the next year.

    Dental coverage is free. I pay 40$/visit as a copay for cleanings and all else (if I’m not in perfect health) I pay 30% of that bill. Recently I had periodontitis and my bill after treatment was 600$.

      • Horsey
        1•3 months ago

        That’s what my employer offered I guess 🤷🏽‍♂️ when I was a university teacher I paid zero for deductibles but they took out like 100$ pre tax every month IIRC. Right before I quit they started charging for copays and I was pretty pissed.