$1.1M Coronavirus Bill

[MyQul]

Thank God for free at the point of entry NHS

Remember Michael Flor, the longest-hospitalized COVID-19 patient who, when he unexpectedly did not die, was jokingly dubbed “the miracle child?”

Now they can also call him the million-dollar baby.

"Flor, 70, who came so close to death in the spring that a night-shift nurse held a phone to his ear while his wife and kids said their final goodbyes, is recovering nicely these days at his home in West Seattle. But he says his heart almost failed a second time when he got the bill from his health care odyssey the other day.

“I opened it and said ‘holy [bleep]!’ “ Flor says.

The total tab for his bout with the coronavirus: $1.1 million. $1,122,501.04, to be exact. All in one bill that’s more like a book because it runs to 181 pages."

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattl...omes-with-a-1-1-million-dollar-hospital-bill/

 

[Gerryjo]

Thankful for the NHS... Private health care is unreal and hear its the same consultants who work for the NHS.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I thought Americans had to have insurance or hospitals turn them away.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

4.5 million people per year in the US are made bankrupt by hospital bills.

 

[obscure]

I thought Americans had to have insurance or hospitals turn them away.

It’s worth noting that in the article it states:

”There also are special financial rules that apply only to COVID-19. Congress set aside more than $100 billion to help hospitals and insurance companies defray the costs of the pandemic, in part to encourage people to seek testing and treatment (including those with no insurance). As a result, Flor probably won’t have to pay even his Medicare Advantage policy’s out-of-pocket charges, which could have amounted to $6,000.”

I was also reading in the New York Times on similar cases that this is actually fairly common when bills are sent to people directly but will often be ultimately he settled by insurance schemes, although even then talks of having to pay ‘only $10,000’ or similar amounts still seem absurd to me. That and the idea of having returned from hospital likely still being on medication, and probably not feeling that great having to negotiate what seems to be a Byzantine billing system.

 

[MickDundee]

It’s worth noting that in the article it states:

”There also are special financial rules that apply only to COVID-19. Congress set aside more than $100 billion to help hospitals and insurance companies defray the costs of the pandemic, in part to encourage people to seek testing and treatment (including those with no insurance). As a result, Flor probably won’t have to pay even his Medicare Advantage policy’s out-of-pocket charges, which could have amounted to $6,000.”

I was also reading in the New York Times on similar cases that this is actually fairly common when bills are sent to people directly but will often be ultimately he settled by insurance schemes, although even then talks of having to pay ‘only $10,000’ or similar amounts still seem absurd to me. That and the idea of having returned from hospital likely still being on medication, and probably not feeling that great having to negotiate what seems to be a Byzantine billing system.

It’s disgusting that even those with medical insurance would have to pay several thousands of dollars after a lengthy hospital stay. There are large swathes of the country, who are having to chose between medical and being able to pay their rent, and those who are lucky enough to not be in that situation are a lengthy hospital stay away from financial hardship/ruin.

Yet somehow massive chunks of the population are vehemently against the “Socialist” healthcare regime that most of the rest of the developed World operates.

 

[foxy]

In Australia all the hospital stay is covered, one would either have to be mad or both not to have private health cover. It does not include surgery, if one needs urgent surgery and can't afford it then public isn't the way to go the waiting list is long and chance of survival is zilch. Also surgeons want their money up front before they gown up.

 

[Covrich]

Brother lives in SAn Fransicso , said he fell off his bike and suspects he broke his hand but will leave it if he goes into hospital it could cost a fortune just to get painkillers. and they prob cannot do anything anyway

 

[Pod 7]

Many people in America refuse to call an ambulance in an emergency -because the cost of a call out, trip to hospital and examination / tests can cost $2,000 and more.

drugs in the USA cost far far more than here -I mean the cost of buying the drug here not comparing the NHS prescription charge.

 

[trueblue]

I had a family live and work in the US for a couple of years. Despite have a good insurance plan they still had "expenses" for a couple of nights in the hospital. It was $10-$15 just to see a GP.