Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

Exactly, Insurance companies have created this problem, and it isn't going to get better.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

Up to £1100'no tax.up to £43000. 30% then 40%. Not sure what in dollars as we have a lousy exchange rate.we also pay national insurance which is supposed to cover medical costs but probably does not.All medical costs are free.
Due to two things we sometimes have to wait for treatment.one is that people are living longer and the other is three million immigrants.Hiwever if it is serious tbe care is immediate.
It is not perfect but in my humble opinion miles better than the US system. In fact quite a few folk from the U S come over for treatment and do not always pay but they are clamping down on that.n

Quaking Aspen Loc: Cottage Grove, OR

Well, boiling it down to the simplest terms, there are five entities involved in our medical 'system'
1. hospitals
2. doctors
3. pharmaceutical companies
4. insurance companies
5. patients, the consumers

The status quo is lucrative for the first 4 who have deep pockets. Number 5 (you and me) gets screwed. This basically is why the problem is so intractable.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

I envy you. When you are not dying, what a couple weeks make difference? Shang

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

My wife pays about 25% flat tax in Norway. The Health care system there should be the standard for the world but that would mean dumping the idea of insurance itself.

You don't get a bill or even paperwork there because everyone pays their taxes and there are no loop holes for the wealthy. Considered one of the happiest places in the world to live.

Overall we pay much more in the US in taxes if you consider everything purchased.

shangyrhee Loc: Nashville TN to Sacramento CA

I agree with you but the order has to be 1 Insurance companies for deceptive &cohersive business 2 Pharmaceutical for pure greedy business 3 Hospitals & 4 Doctors for being running dogs for 1 & 2 5 Patients for being stupid as pawns of 1 & 2 & not knowing what is good for themselves. It is harsh situation but can be corrected by learning from the neighbor and others in Europe and Asia. Shang

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

Wow! But not surprising.

It has always been my opinion that the "Affordable" cars act was totally off target about the price of health care. Until we rein in the providers - doctors, hospitals, pharma, etc. the price will continue to escalate.

We are the only major country in the world that maintains our kind of healthcare system - the most costly and least effective.

Ed

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

Sorry to see your bill so high, Jerry!
I hope you may get the charge removed or at least reduced under the "Trumpcare?"

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

It is sad that healthcare is such a complicated game. So many deductibles, co pays and variables in coverage. Too bad for us to have let it get to this point. You practically need a book keeper and lawyer to navigate the complicated system.

They say insurance profits have tripled since 2005 and clinics are going up daily at an astonishing rate. I am taken back when I enter most healthcare lobbies with the lavish excesses. A lot of smoke has been hiding the facts and accountability for too many years.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

It's not Obama, Trump or any other living politician. It harkens back to the days of the advent of Medicare when "Usual and Customary" prices were set in a stone base and have only gone up.

The entire system is screwy. Hospitals have no idea what it costs them to provide care, and physicians offices are only slightly better.

But it is a form of "Socialism" as those with insurance/ability to pay do help provide care for those who can't/won't pay. And the Emergency Rooms have to accept anyone who knocks on their door.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

It's not a hospital "write off" per se. Doctors & hospitals enter into contractual agreements with insurance companies. When an insured uses a "preferred provider" (one who has contracted with the insurance company), the doctor or hospital has agreed to accept what the insurer pays for any given procedure and is not allowed to balance bill the patient for any amount over that amount. Thus the doctor or hospital "adjusts" the balance. They are not actually writing anything off. The patient is only responsible for any deductibles, copays or coinsurance amounts.

bob44044 Loc: Ohio

When the government gets involved the price soars. That's with anything the government gets involved in.

garytcoles

This is why so many people are retiring or just moving to other countries. Healthcare costs are astronomical even if you have insurance and for the uninsured, it is a complete disaster. A lot of telecommuters find medical care, insurance, and the cost of living can be slashed by living out of the US or Canada or the UK. I am in Mexico now and have met US physicians who have moved here to get away from insurance companies and attorneys. They have also indicated that the medical care here is great.

Typically, I take my family to one of the doctors affiliated with the local pharmacies. The doctor's visit costs between $2 to $2.50. The first time I went to one of these offices, it was for an eye infection. The doctor insisted on almost a complete physical before prescribing medication. I have to admit it was the best medical care that I have ever received.

If you would like to know more about living in other countries, you can visit https://bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com. Lots of great information there -- but a quick disclosure. I am an unpaid contributor to the site.

bob44044 Loc: Ohio

Healthcare costs are astronomical because of Obamacare

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

[quote=jerryc41]I cut my thumb with a rotary blade on a Dremel tool at the end of January. I came inside, cleaned it, bandaged it, and took it easy. It was still bleeding through the bandage the next day, so I called my doctor. "Go to the ER."

After waiting a while, I was taken to the "Express" area. A nurse washed my thumb, bandaged it, and gave me two shots for tetanus. Luckily, I was in the "Express" area, so that took only ninety minutes.

Today I received the bill.

ER Services $3,185.00
Pharmacy $2,488.30
Preventive Care $20.00 Maybe that was telling me to be careful.
Total $5,693.30

Medicare has paid $773.18 and "adjusted" $4,664.01, leaving me with a bill of $276.11. My secondary insurance hasn't paid yet, but I should be liable only for a copay of $25 for an ER visit. When I called the hospital, she said their new policy is to bill the patient after a certain period of time, even if they haven't heard from insurance. So, I'll wait another month and see what happens.[/quote
The tetanus shot was not necessary, unless you were using the tool in a stable.