A Question for Americans regarding hospital treatment

@Parrot : I was in the hospital for 4 hours. They put me on a bed, drove me to the CT scan dept and the Xray debt. Took my pulse, did a very limited examination, took bloodsamples to see if I had a heartattack, gave me some cheap meds and then send me away without any improvement (for which I don't blame them btw).

1 month ago I paid for a CT scan in Bumrungrad about 150 dollar. And not in a dump like the hospital in Spokane and not with an overweight doctor running around in a Hawai shirt and staff from which I wondered if they were qualified.

I would never say that the costs there should be the same as the costs here or in the Netherlands, but if the price of a hamburger is comparable, should the excess price for medical treatment be within limits ?

Anyway, maybe I am completely wrong with my ideas about medical costs, I am awaiting an itemized bill to compare with dutch costs.
And who knows : maybe I discover that Dutch costs are in my eyes and to my surprise unreasonable high as well...

Maybe it's not a good idea that in my nanny state ( thank you Sateev) people are not aware what the real costst of medical care is, because they never see a bill.

Many factors in Medical billing in the states, one of the biggest costs malpractise insurance. That's for the doctor and the hospital. The only thing that will fix that is Tort reform,don't see that happening.

Yes if you have no insurance and it is not immediately life threatening you will be left in the hallway and them transfered to County ran General hospital ( California) Medical insurance is no cheap either ten years ago my policy in the states was $450.00 a month. Imagine a lot more these days. Even ten years ago not a lot of people could afford coverage.

There are reasons States, Counties and the Feds are upset about health care. You see the major portion of Medicare are passed on to the states. That was supported by the feds. That is one of the first things they will look at on thee chopping block.

What will be the end result, it is mandated by the FEDS for the stares to cover it, no money coming from the FED. Where is the money going to come from? States, Counties and Cities have been down graded by the thousands.

Just a thought I see a lot of people critical of America, because of over spending. You want free health care it's got to be paid for. So unless Americans are willing to pay the price, nothing will be there.

Obama care is a answer, but in the end it has to be aid for. How do you do that and cut the budget?

I guess I was luckier then you Dahm the doctors I had contact with were some the hardest working people I knew.

So let me tell you the hidden charges in your bill. the malpractice insurance, every one who skipped out one there bills.

Most hospitals and Doctors today in America are working with in major corporation's who need to show profits and pay investors.

So when you add in those factors health care work under to day. That is not an unreasonable bill for America.

The Key is not to do the leg work yourself, send a letter to the hospital telling them you are insured give them your insurance details and refer them to whoever is assigned to he claim and let them work it out. Not much more you can do other then become your own insurance adjuster, I doubt you have the training for that.

I have to tell you in the end you are the one responsible. So I would lean on your insurance company. they have people paid for getting itemized lists and negioating bills. You ave already paid for that.

Comparing Dutch cost with U.S. costs is apple and oranges

No you will not be denied reentry