US healthcare is so fucked! I just got a bill for $20 for a copay, so I checked the bill, and holy shit...

I have had three doctor visits this year:
- one to meet my new doctor (and get my jabs)
- one to sign paperwork for my chronic condition medication
- and one for lab work for my chronic condition medication

Amount I've paid (this year):
- ~$50 for copays
- ~$600 for visits
- ~$300 for medications

Amount paid by insurance: ~$1070

(which is notably less than the cost of 4 months of insurance premiums)

Amount insurance is still deciding on: ~$3700

Not only have I paid for the insurance, but I've also paid out at almost 50% of the cost of care so far, *and* I could be on the hook for nearly 4x that amount if insurance doesn't feel like paying.

Just saying, I wouldn't have ratted on Luigi.

#US #Healthcare

@alice I love it that, unlike other national health care systems where you just go to the doctor, America's for-profit healthcare industry has decided that doctor's visits cost an arbitrarily exorbitant amount so that they can cover 80% of it and make it seem like you got a good deal. if, you know, they cover it at all.
@alice "this head of cabbage normally costs $200, but thanks to your food insurance it only costs $20! ...what do you mean it only costs $2 most other places? we have the best food distribution system in the world!"
@YKantRachelRead @alice …but the Free Market will fix this - just get multiple bids from doctors and hospitals while you’re sick and needing care.. or so I’ve been told.

@steff @alice @YKantRachelRead

Let me just rub some Market Forces on that, should fix it right up

@steff @alice @[email protected] Don't forget to flex your equivalent market power. If none of the bids from the many medical facilities competing in your neighborhood are good, don't get the necessary medical procedure. Hold out for a better price even if it kills you.