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

submitted 4 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] 9 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I'm trans in the US. After insurance I pay about $300 to $400 every 3 months for blood tests and a follow up. My meds cost me an additional $90 for 3 months as well. They are my hormones and another medication unrelated to me being trans. I get my meds at a local independent pharmacy, so they are relatively cheap. I used to get them at a large chain pharmacy and they were about twice as much there.

I also used to work as a cashier at a pharmacy. I once had to ring someone up who was paying over $3,000 for some cancer medication. It also wasn't uncommon to see people paying around $500 for medications that they need to be alive.