Universal Healthcare

Spent 3 days on the hospital in June.

Bill for insurance was 40,000

Self payer discount for me brought the bill to 13 000.

In short hospitals overcharge insurance customers

 

That kid already has health problems.

 

Like what?

 

Yep, they're called his parents.

 

You mean charging $25 for a Tylenol PM is too much?

 

Naw, sperm and egg donors. Don't deserve the title of “parents”.

 

Your forgot the rest:
6) Don't get cancer.
7) Don't get old.

 

Wait, you are on insurance. So you want to force everyone else off insurance but you are on insurance yourself. Why don't you set the example then?

 

No, i don't have insurance.. my bill came with two amounts.
40,000 for insured customers
13,000 for self payers

 

And you also had to submit financial records too before they lowered the bill to make that determination. At least that's the way it works in most metropolitan hospitals.

And do you have 13 grand lying around, or did you put it on a credit card?

There's a lot you are leaving out, Robert.

 

My apologies. I thought I really had you there.

I don't think a single bill is reflective of all bills, so if there is a study or something you could show me, that would be nice. Not all hospitals are as nice to self payers as yours was. Also, The bill for insurance is haggled over and the insurance negotiates a lower rate.

 

I don't want government controlling my healthcare.

 

More than likely the hospital charged it to the state's Medicaid program, or something along similar lines. He's not telling you the whole truth.

 

How about this. Why don't we pass a law that sets insurance rates based on weight? Healthy people get dirt cheap rates and the big fat fatties pay through the nose. That's the way it ought to be. Sign me up.....until then, I'll forego insurance for self pay out of pocket.

 

DOH.. leading causes of cancer

Smoking
Obesity
Drinking
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation
Lack of exercise
Lack of fruits and vegetables
HIV

This right here accounts for nearly half of all cancer deaths. All pretty much prevetable.

 

Half of cancers, but not all. And live long enough, you'll come down with something. Sure, healthcare would be a lot cheaper if we are spending more of our lives healthy, but eventually we will come down with something.

 

The hospital tried to find me financial assistance but at the time i made just over thr cut off amount. My price was not discounted for income at all. It was only discounted for being a self payer.
220 per month for the next 5 years

 

Yes, it was discounted, based on what they think you could pay. $220 per month for five years? They are probably charging you interest too.

And they are more than likely charging the state for the portion you can't afford, which means everyone else is paying for your real bill.

 

That would be something I'd write into the bill.. for all nonnelective care government would only be the payer, they'd hsve no say in who gets what care.

 

Should taxes be taken from me to pay for healthcare you need because you mske bad decisions? I say hell no.

 

No it wasn't i know more about my own bill than you do..
No they are not charging me interest..

You are entirely ignorant about my bill.
The state is paying nothing of my bill.
I am paying 100% of it

 

The $40k bill was probably straight from their charge master, which is typical of any non-insured patients, but to have it come down to $13k means that a portion of it is being written off to be paid by some other program the hospital has access to, which means in a convoluted way, your neighbors are paying a portion of it through taxes and the Medicaid program.

 

You are wrong. As i have said several times.
The bill had an " insurance amount"
And a discount for being a "self payer"

 

Robert, that is complete and utter BS.

Look, I'm not even going to ask you the particulars of your hospitalization since you should protect your privacy, but the bottom line is that insurance rates are lower and pre-negotiated. They are looking at what you can afford and where else they can get the rest paid, regardless of whether or not you are informed of it.

The only thing less expensive than an insurance rate, is for the state or the federal government to make up the difference.

You can make up any BS you want, but this is my business, and you are pawning off a complete falsehood.

 

Such bullshit. Cash payers ALWAYS have a lower bill because doctors don't have to deal with the insurance rip-off/government bureaucracy game.