Originally Posted by
Pineapple Guy
Hockey, let me add some additional numbers for your consideration.
To reach that out of pocket maximum, you had to have charged at least $43,000 in medical expenses at the in-network rate. Add in another $500-1000 of expenses for the "free" preventive services you might have utilized, and you're at roughly $44,000 of medical expenses on the year. And that's at the UHC negotiated discount, generally about 50%. So, let's do the real math on that $88,000 of medical expenses that the doctors/hospitals actually charged:
$44,000 - written off by the doctor as a loss
$9,248 - your share of the remaining $44,000
$34,742 - Delta's share of the remaining $44,000
Yes, we pay a ton for health care. That is a huge problem in this country. But you're not the only one "taking it in the shorts". Do I wish we all had "free" health care, like we used to. Of course. But whose pocket do you propose to take that money from? I'm just asking a serious question.
And BTW, just what medical plan do you plan to take, if you're gonna drop the Gold HRA? There are no silver bullets out there. Choose carefully.
Pg, $44k or $34k to hit the out of pocket max? I'd have to add up ours we just hit the max. The big picture though of your post I completely agree with.
But Bar, this brings up a question. When your kid went to childrens what again was the difference between what the hospital would charge you for no insurance and what you had to pay.
I've gotten suspicious over the last year of extra costs because you have insurance. I got suspicious about a lot of stuff that happens once youre admitted actually. ERs might be expensive but I think they do a phenomenal job.
Of course I dont know where the money is. Got family and friends all over the medical industry from clinic managers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, drug/equipment reps, ambulance owner, everyone seems to struggle. many excet the doctors went chapter 11 or were unemployed at some point or walked away. the doctors just seemed to not make very much, they sound like 10 year rj fo's.