A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill

Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by AshamedCaptain on Thursday November 26, 2020 @07:31AM (#25219416)

The last time my daughter required stitches, the hospital did it for free. They didn't even ask for my name. I didn't even had to fill any paperwork (which would have been a chore since I didn't have the EU health card with me and I speak very little of the local language). Happened at French alps during last year ski season.

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by bromuro on Thursday November 26, 2020 @07:40AM (#25219488)

Same happened in Italy to a friend from latin-america, traveling as tourist.

She left the hospital with a smile, impressed how easy and friendly people were. Nothing serious so nothing to pay. She was very worried and they even managed to make her smile.

This was in Verona, Italy some years ago, in the ER of Borgo Roma. It was late night and just a short queue to wait. It has been a great human experience and we will be always grateful to the doctors there.

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by me_me_me on Thursday November 26, 2020 @11:54AM (#25221590)

I remember a podcast, it had an account of a guy. He woke up in the middle of the night with chest pain and in sweat. He though 'I think I might a heart-attack coming'. He drove his car as he might not be able to afford ambulance.

This was my first time i learnt of US health system.

Imagine waking up in the middle of night, realize you might have heart-attack and the next thing you think of is if you can afford an ambulance.

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by Jedd on Thursday November 26, 2020 @07:37AM (#25219462)

This information would be significantly enhanced with when that last time was, and what country you were in at the time.

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by galoisgirl on Thursday November 26, 2020 @08:05AM (#25219688)

Why, do you want to travel to a French ski resort to get some stitches done for free?

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by Jedd on Thursday November 26, 2020 @08:34AM (#25219869)

No, thank you, but it's a very sweet offer. As an Australian I already qualify for free healthcare, and I don't require any medical attention at the moment.

Referring back to the (G)GP - when trying to put geo-political context around such comments, it's useful to mention the geo-political context of your comment.

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by galoisgirl on Thursday November 26, 2020 @08:41AM (#25219918)

> it's useful to mention the geo-political context of your comment.

Really? How so?

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Re:A Kid, a Minor Bike Accident and a $19,000 Medical Bill by EForEndeavour on Thursday November 26, 2020 @09:38AM (#25220345)

I'd tell you, but the Stasi would arrest me.

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