I’ll never understand why we pretend that things are this expensive.

USA, of course, because I can’t imagine anywhere else in the world working this much harder and not at all smarter.

FYI, Medicare is our government insurance for older or disabled people and is paid for mainly with taxpayer dollars as well as “small” premiums by members.

Screenshot of an itemized bill.The first line is a charge for an initial outpatient appointment lasting longer than 60 minutes, and is for 679 USD. The second line is a payment from Medicare for 149.49 USD. There is a third line for a Medicare Adjustment of 491.38 USD. The total patient responsibility is listed at the bottom and is 38.13 USD.

  • Ah. I misunderstood what the argument was; sounded like you were wondering why people say the prices are so high because you only paid $38.

    One explanation for the costs I’ve seen is that big companies seek discounts for the insurance they provide, so hospitals started just inflating the prices to give them a perceived discount without having to basically sell at a cost to them. Somehow those just became the regular prices everyone pays, and it’s ridiculous. Like it might cost $100 for a single Aspirin.

    • @acetanilideOP
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      130 days ago

      I’m sorry for the confusion!

      Yes I think you are right. I just don’t get the point. It seems like a lot of extra work lol. But as long as the shareholders think it’s better I guess that’s what matters.