So I just got the bill for the emergency room visit I had to make in January. The whole thing cost a little less than $3500, which is about what I expected. The ambulance had to be called, which obviously cannot be cheap. But I only have to pay $200 because it turns out that the medical insurance provided by my university is really good. I'd never had a chance to sample the American healthcare system before. All I heard were horror stories about how each trip to the hospital results in ruinous bills that no insurance can cover. I'd actually started saving money to cover the bill while I was waiting for it. So it's good to know that a college professor can afford good healthcare.
I now love my great university that gave me this wonderful insurance even more. I'm a very happy camper right now, people. And yes, I know that this expression is horribly cliched, but I like it anyway.
8 comments:
It is true, U. S. Universities do almost alway have good healthcare plans. I know someone who wroked for Yale in a non-academic position. (She may still work there; I am not sure.) She had breast reduction surgery and cosmetic breast reconstruction and paid nothing out of pocket. This was in 2008, if I recall correctly.
I heard that Yale had a good health insurance plan, but I never went to the doctor while I was there, so I couldn't confirm this for myself.
I've been living in the US since 2003 and this was my first ever visit to a hospital. Which, I think, is in itself very good news. :-)
Your experience was typical of most American citizens that benefit from the best health care system in the world. We should all keep this in mind as we witness the current administration pressing forward with an attempted government takeover of health care. Let your elected representatives know in no uncertain terms that they have no business being in the health care business. Granted, there are some changes that need to be forced upon the health insurance industry. That can be done without tearing down the whole system as proposed by Obamacare.
The quality of medical care was fantastic, that's true. Really great. The doctors and nurses were wonderful. And my husband could e with me the entire time, which really helped. But imagine what would have happened if I had no insurance. I know that you wouldn't have dared even to call the ambulance if the insurance wasn't there. What do the people with no insurance do?
I imagine people with no insurance would be screwed.
People with no insurance have several options. They can get in touch with the hospital to find a way to reduce the cost or find a good repayment plan. Most good hospitals out there have plans in place to help out people who don't have insurance or the means to pay. I mean, it's not like this is a rare occurrence and they would rather get something than nothing.
Of course one could have called the ambulance - and they would have taken him/her to the nearest hospital or emergency room designated to accept such patients. The myth in this country is that people with no insurance have no access to health care - nothing could be farther from the truth.
I recognize that my personal knowledge of the matter is quite limited (thank God) so I welcome any useful information.
I heard today that there is a lot of pressure for our good health insurance to be reduced significantly, though. :-(
Post a Comment