Re:U.S. health care's widespread overbilling problem
by tacostakohashi on Monday July 10, 2017 @07:42PM
(#14740547)
Yep - if you're sick and in the U.S., don't go to the hospital, go to the airport.
Re:U.S. health care's widespread overbilling problem
by dingo_bat on Monday July 10, 2017 @11:56PM
(#14741473)
> I was charged $1200 to get my daughters arm cast changed (no xray, just a nurse changing the cast),
I hope the nurse got paid at least half of that.
Re:U.S. health care's widespread overbilling problem
by technics256 on Monday July 10, 2017 @07:59PM
(#14740638)
Did you need to speak Japanese to get this done?
Re:U.S. health care's widespread overbilling problem
by harisenbon on Monday July 10, 2017 @08:07PM
(#14740656)
I'm in the middle of nowhere, so in my case I would need a smattering. However, almost all doctors can read/write English, even if they can't speak it. I've had 80 year old doctors proudly write down the word rheumatism, where I can barely get by with spellcheck.
In bigger cities, you'll definitely be able to find doctors who can speak English easily.
Even without insurance all our procedures cost total less than ~$100 apiece.
The most expensive thing I've ever had in japan was my full body workup last year for $500.
It included: stomach ultrasound, 5 blood tests, eye exam, MRI(brain) and barium scan. All without insurance.
By comparison, in the US I was charged $1200 to get my daughters arm cast changed (no xray, just a nurse changing the cast), and $800 for an ultrasound.
It is literally cheaper to fly to Japan and get treatment without insurance than to use my health insurance that I pay $1300/month for.
Also, as a bonus, because of the set prices of medical procedures in Japan, insurance is super cheap. For a family of 4 it was costing me around $500/month when I used to live here.