Whew insurance, WTF hospitals?

[thistlechaser]

I got my itemized bill from the hospital today. I have insurance (THANKFULLY), so it was sent for my information.

I was in the hospital exactly 14 days.

Total bill? $144,769

I nearly fell over. Just the hospital room and (awful) food cost $84,000 for the 14 days.

My antibiotic, the only one that worked, cost $250/dose when put in by the home nurse. When put in at the hospital? $3,990/dose.

I'd like to have a word with those who claim America has the greatest health care system in the world. The service I received was nearly 100% perfect, I have no complaints at all there, but the prices are just so unreasonable that 'unreasonable' doesn't even describe it.

One shot of nasal spray for a stuffy nose, put in by me, cost $179.

In related news, I'm still on the mend. Getting better every day, but still weak and little energy. Returning to work on Monday, so we'll see how that goes.

Comments

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

I am seriously considering moving to Canada when I get older, just for the healthcare...my family has a history of cancer and that would bankrupt people here, even WITH insurance.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Serious illness can still bankrupt people here - if you're too ill to work, your health care is covered, but you'll still burn through your savings with regular living expenses. Disability payments are not huge.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Still better than here. We do not get much in the way of disability either, and at least the hospital bills won't be 10k a day.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

10K per day for the room (and food) alone. The highest care room I was in (for five days) was 10K/day. Then they moved me down a level and it was 9K/day, then lastly to an 8K/day room.

Every time I think about this, I boggle again.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Sheesh, for that much you can have the Presidential suite at a world class resort and have personal valet service...

[resonant.livejournal.com]

We don't have pharmacare up here. Medication given to you in a hospital is free, but you have to pay for medication from a pharmacy. Medication prices are a lot less than in the US, but people living with chronic conditions requiring expensive medication will go through their savings quickly.