this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2023
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That could be true for a GP or something like that, but not for a serious issue where you need tests for a diagnosis, a hospitalization, or ER visit.
Nah, a lot of hospitals do that.
Hospital margins are razor thin because of the constant battling with insurance companies (and the high payscale for doctors and surgeons, high cost of equipment, etc, obviously). They will often negotiate reasonable rates for uninsured people.
I was recently in the ER. Insured. I received a $2000 bill, "negotiated down" from $2,500. $1,800 of it was for 5 minutes with a doctor.
I had a friend recently (regularly... she's a hypochondriac) in the ER. Uninsured. $500. Same ER. Same complaints. Same tests. Same treatment.
so is it better not to have insurance?
i just got a job with insurance for the first time in my life, now covering myself and two kids - pay is just enough to take them off state insurance. the high deductable plan still REALLY hurts to pay the premiums. but not having had insurance in my adult life, i can't tell if it's worth it or not - i have never gone to doctors i couldn't pay for out of pocket at the time of service (so almost never).
I didn't say that. Ignoring tax benefits, it's better not to have insurance "9 years out of 10". The tax benefits (employer insurance is paid is pre-tax) changes the equation a lot.
Admittedly, it also matters about what your doctors charge, and what your medical conditions are.
Heaven forbid, if you have a major critical event that puts you in the hospital for a month or two (happened to a friend this year), then insurance is the only way to maybe not be bankrupt, assuming they even treat you at all (past keeping you from coding) knowing you won't pay.