waffleironhead
Diamond Member
- Aug 10, 2005
- 6,924
- 437
- 136
if you go to the forest and punch a moose in the face and eat it is it free?
Probably the same place you get free electricity, free food, free water, free housing, etc. No where. Things have a cost and can't just be generated for free.
If the cost is hidden from you (paid via taxes, insurance, etc), it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.
Can someone comment on this article then?$75K is still too much because even with out of network coverage, with blueshield I believe the OOP isn't anything above 12-$20K (individual vs. family). Certainly not $75k! Just because you receive a bill, it doesn't mean you're responsible for that amount!
Of course everything has cost, the question is since you pointed out that there are charity hospitals. Assuming one went to one of these mystical places in the US you'd get free care without any requirements? Your insurance company only exists because they like being there they aren't out for profit, your Dr. office that is affiliated (invested) in a lab where your test results go isn't making a profit. Come on we both know the US system generates the highest bills in the world and we see very little life benefit from it.
Can someone comment on this article then?
http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/19/news/economy/health-insurance-bills/
Looks like it *is* possible...
Come on we both know the US system generates the highest bills in the world and we see very little life benefit from it.
So where exactly does one get free care?
Can someone comment on this article then?
http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/19/news/economy/health-insurance-bills/
Looks like it *is* possible...
I am a special snowflake. That is until I found out that I was in the middle class. Now I'm a paycheck whore destined to die poor.Why are you owed or believe you are owed free care?
$75k is NOT $10k. The bill was $10k, well within a oop limit for out of network coverage.
Of course everything has cost, the question is since you pointed out that there are charity hospitals. Assuming one went to one of these mystical places in the US you'd get free care without any requirements? Your insurance company only exists because they like being there they aren't out for profit, your Dr. office that is affiliated (invested) in a lab where your test results go isn't making a profit. Come on we both know the US system generates the highest bills in the world and we see very little life benefit from it.
did you read and understand the article?
It doesnt have to count premiums, balance billing amounts for non-network providers and other out-of-network cost-sharing, or spending for non-essential health benefits.
But can you end up with huge bills even with insurance? Sure. Happens to millions every year.
An acquaintance of mine has a coworker who had a heart attack, had an ACA approved plan, and still has a $75,000 hospital bill for the emergency room and ambulance.
Now, I've read some articles that say this is actually possible, because if, say, you're away from the insurance company's in-network hospitals, the out of network fees don't contribute to your yearly max out of pocket? Or they're not covered, period?
If this is the case, simply traveling around the US presents a huge risk (small risk, but game over if you do get injured), right?
just because he got the bill doesn't mean he's responsible for it. it could have been that it didnt go to the insurance at all just yet and he has to do that part himself and will get reimbursed or they will cover it before he has to fork out the majority of that.
did you read and understand the article?
I agree with fuzzy, I'm pretty sure it's possible.
https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/out-of-pocket-maximum-limit/
Most plans would have a separate / higher out-of-pocket maximum for out-of-network care, but I don't think it's a requirement.
Yes. This is a HUGE issue.
Say I buy a health insurance plan in California and the only in-network providers are within a certain radius of my city.
I get into a car accident while in Colorado and get sent to the emergency room. Since the Colorado hospital is out of network, and out of network charges do not count towards the annual OOP maximum, by *default* I will be footing the entire bill of the Colorado hospital. Maybe I'll get lucky and the hospital will only charge me the fees that an insurance company would normally pay, but it could still be a *massive* bill, subject to no limitations on amount.