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A comment on U.S. health is lousy compared with peer nations, report says. Parent comment

Re:U.S. health is lousy compared with peer nations, report says by zanny on Thursday January 10, 2013 @01:38PM (#5038821)
I'm American, but I know a lot of people from Canada, and after many conversations, the "2 months for a specialist" is bullshit. In practice, preventative medicine and not having to fear to afford healthcare when you need it drastically reduce the demand on the most expensive and specialized doctors and practices because you deal with problems before they end up in the emergency room.

I have no health insurance right now. If I got sick in Canada, I would absolutely visit my doctor, get a prescription and diagnosis, and be on my way. In the US, I have to pray I don't have a severe disease and try using over the counter meds because I can't afford upwards of $800 doctors visits if they perform any tests. It is around $150 just to walk in the door.

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Re:U.S. health is lousy compared with peer nations, report says by seanx on Thursday January 10, 2013 @03:08PM (#5039421)
How the hell can a doctors visit run to $800?
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Re:U.S. health is lousy compared with peer nations, report says by potatolicious on Thursday January 10, 2013 @03:21PM (#5039495)
Probably on the high end of things, but it's really not that hard. Based on what I've seen from my insurance co. the base rate for my doctor is about ~$250, even for something as simple as simple consultation about the flu (i.e., no tests or other treatment/equipment).

If you have something more complicated, like, say, requiring stitches, or even basic lab testing (urinalysis?), it all adds up on top of all of that. I'd imagine if you went to the doctor and he/she ordered a small battery of tests, you'd run up well over $800 fairly quickly.

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