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How much do Americans actually pay for healthcare? (pawb.social)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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?

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (9 children)

My employer's insurance plan, which is REALLY good mind you, takes $2800 annually in premiums, then actually starts to cover your expenses after you've spent $1600 on health care. That is, unless you're "out of network", AKA the hospital/office doesn't have a contract with your insurance company, in which case it kicks in after $3200. So basically, minimum of $4400, max of $6000, and that's for like the top 1% best insurance available, assuming you're only doing things your insurance covers.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I wonder how this compares to my Canadian tax contribution to healthcare

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

The portion per capita that Americans pay for Medicare and Medicaid is about the same as Canadians pay for our Healthcare. Then they get the privilege of paying insurers and others for the coverage they have if they don't qualify for those two programs.

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