Everybody deserves to be healthy because being full of energy means leading a good life. However, health becomes a real issue if you have to pay your weight in gold whenever you need to go to the hospital.
When US Senator Bernie Sanders asked his Twitter followers what the most absurd medical bill they’ve ever received was, the floodgates opened. The stories were shocking, to say the least. So here is a compilation of the most ridiculous medical bills that Americans were presented with. Get ready for your jaw to drop and your eyes to pop because some of these are unbelievable. Upvote the bills you found the most shocking, leave us a comment and remember to share with your friends.
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I have a huge lump in my throat from reading the ones where babies die. I can't possible imagine what you went through
Some of these bills reached tens-of-thousands and even hundreds-of-thousands of bills. I’ll be honest with you, when I saw them I genuinely thought I was either seeing things or that somebody accidentally added a couple of extra zeroes.
Is anything in that country for free? Can you breath for free? Or... maybe you went for the stitches removal to an all inclusive 5stars resort?
That is a shame, I swear I think doctors request test just to run up the bill.
If people have an word to say in that country, they have to change sòmething. It's very wrong. How it came to this situation I cannot imagine. The life itself has the rating below money.
The harsh reality is that healthcare is incredibly expensive in the United States, and plenty of people always wonder: “Why?” Investopedia explains that healthcare in the US is “about twice as expensive as it is in any other developed country.” However, despite the cost, the US healthcare system is only the 37th in quality, according to the World Health Organization.
Ah, but the eggs they do so you can sue them for $12K or more.
I hear ya. My bill for a UTI was $6,000. They didn't even diagnose me. I walked and told them what was wrong what antibiotic I needed. What am I paying $6,000 for?
How is it that a human life obviously has no value in this nation? How can America ever be "great" again, as long as this madness continues?
Harvard economist David Cutler told Investopedia that the main reason why US healthcare costs are sky-high is this: “The administrative costs of running our healthcare system are astronomical. About one-quarter of healthcare cost is associated with administration, which is far higher than in any other country.”
What’s more, the cost of medical drugs in the United States is far higher than in other developed countries. Meanwhile, American doctors are afraid of litigation, so they practice what’s called ‘defensive medicine’ — they order lots of different tests even when they know what the diagnosis is.
Fight all bills. They know some people will just give up. I fought & they paid it. It may not work 100% of the time, but something like this definitely. Also, take the complaint to Facebook.
Aren"t the ER acțions/operation free of change? Or ER is considered as privat hospitals? You are not paying taxes in that country, to have state hospitals? Just wondering... anyway, strange medical system.
What do you think of the US healthcare system, dear Pandas? Have you ever had any massive medical bills? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments.
The ambulances in the US are insane. I have flat out refused to get into one when necessary because I couldn't afford the bill. Asked my friend to take me to the hospital from the Urgent Care instead of the ambulance they had "called" for me. Luckily, she is no stranger to the US Healthcare Mafia.
Pharmaceuticals are big business and could care less if your life is at risk because you cannot afford medications. Cost very little to make these treatments compared to the bill you get. They justify this on the bases of "research". This is another vile industry just like insurance. No compassion
Didn't you know there is a $900 speaking fee, plus $75 eye contact fee. Then another $25 just for walking in the door?
That doesn't sound right. EHS crews will always take you to the closest hospital in a life threatening emergency
Do you have to make a credit to afford a child? Or paying rates after the birth? That country is not right.
Going out-of-network without patient consent and later slamming them with the bill when insurance won't field it is a practice commonly called "balance billing" or "surprise billing". Some states have been taking measures against this. I expect I probably can't paste links, but there are a lot of various initiatives around the US to get laws passed to prevent this. Look for your state and the phrase "balance billing", and if yours has no protections in place, I strongly advise you help petition your lawmakers to rectify it.
That's a sick country. I am not reffering to peoples' health, but the medical system is sick.
My bro was rear ended here in Canada and had no bills and even received almost 10 grand
I'm mean did the doctor make eye contact? that's already a$ 75 charge just for that.
At this point, I do believe they just declare how many digits the bill should include and let a random number generator do the rest.
Note: this post originally had 64 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I am from the UK and 10 years ago I suffered a very severe motorcycle accident where I was hit by a disqualified and uninsured driver. I was taken from the accident to hospital by air ambulance. At the first hospital they realised that my head injury was worse than they thought and that I needed to be taken to a specialist neurological unit. I was transferred by air ambulance again to the specialist hospital where I spent 3 weeks in a coma. In addition to my head injury I suffered a smashed left hip, broken pelvis, broken left arm and shoulder and a shattered left wrist. I had to have 6 different operations and over two years of Physiotherapy. None of this cost me a single penny and every single one of the NHS employees I encountered was absolutely superb and totally professional from the Medics and Neurosurgeons who saved my life, to the hospital porters. Since then I have had a career change and I now work as a Physiotherapist and I love every day at work.
I really, really wish people would appreciate our NHS more. I wish people would fight for it more, it's an amazing thing, but we won't have it this way for much longer I'm sure. Reading this list of bills is insane, as a fellow Brit I have paid for nothing but dental throughout my life.
I totally agree. I used to work in the NHS. People don't appreciate the NHS, they will when it's gone. There are adverts all day for 'medical negligence' claims companies. The government has sold off any profitable parts to the private sector, and they charge ridiculous amounts, paid for by our taxes. The NHS runs on the good will of hard working staff members who stay late every shift because the managers know they have compassion and won't just leave patients. It's heartbreaking, they ran it into the ground with budget cuts. Staff haven't had a pay rise since 2008. I'm certain that the NHS's days are numbered, very few people in the UK remember the days before universal health care, so we've become complacent.
I experienced medical aid in the UK as somewhat less accessible than in Germany, at least for 'small' problems. But I did love the fact that you could just get treated. Theoretically, my visits would have had to be paid by a European insurance , which would have meant lots of paperwork. No practice ever bothered. They just treated me and that was it. It mystifies me how people keep voting the Tories who are doing their best to destroy this great system.
Martin, congratulations on your recovery...I’m Canadian and my story is ...3 years ago I had a prostate biopsy and cancer was confirmed. In the preop. I had to have a chest X-ray and they found a lump about the size of a grape on my right lung.. A needle biopsy confirmed lung cancer so I had prostate surgery followed by lung surgery. They removed one third of my right lung. A year later, my eurologist informed me that my PSA numbers were not going down so I had to have 32 radiation treatments on the prostate bed. Some time later, I had my gall bladder removed and recently I had hernia surgery. This was a three year roller coaster ride but I’m hoping that’s it for a while....what was the cost for all this you ask?...it was $0.00. I never saw a bill or any other documentation related to costs, just like you in England or millions of patients all over the world with socialized medicine. Due to the insane medical costs in the USA I can’t go there...cheers🍷🇨🇦
I'm an Aussie who has travelled four times to the UK..on my third visit l spent my first evening in the A&E in London..l spent 3 hours there and it cost me nothing because l was asked for my Australian medicare card which l travelled with..thanks UK for having a medical policy that recognises Australian medical coverage..I've been to the States twice, thankfully l never needed medical treatment for anything..actually what is funny, the A&E doctor did not diagnose what was wrong with me, she did not even look at the area that was giving me grieve.I'd had a fall a couple a days before l flew out for my trip back at home..l thought I'd sprained my ankle.when l got to the States and spent a week with my friend SHE diagnosed what l had done AND supplied me with what l needed, a boot to support my foot/ankle/calf.(storm trooper boot is it's nick name) turns out I'd totally torn my fibial tendon from my foot bone.thank god l did not attend an American hospital the bill would have killed me.
We pretty much choose to die than go to a hospital because holy fecking bills. As a student of medicine, I know what goes on in hospitals and the amount of resources it takes, but even I agree that the expense is too much.
The NHS did a great job with my hearing Loss in my left ear, My Doctor diagnosed me with an ear infection and some condition I can't remember the name of. Referred to an ENT, got a scan, had an operation, got my hearing back and since then six month check on my ear, microsuction every time. COST.... £0. (apart from prescription ear drops)
I don't understand all the down votes on peoples comments. Everyone is right. The american health care system is garbage. Almost everything about this country is garbage and getting worse day by day. I wish I didn't live here. (don't say, well move, because if I could I would)
Same. Most of the world is going to shit one way or another. Ours is astronomical bills.
american health bills sound terrifying
Immigrate to Canada! We're awesome here :) You can get benefits/coverage from the gov't until you're on your feet!
I've looked into it, trust me. But you basically have to have family in Canada, already have a job lined up, or be rich.
Unfortunately, coming to Canada isn't very easy. It's really difficult to get a work visa and getting your citizenship is no easy task, even if you marry a Canadian. I know an ex-American who was sent back to America for half a year while her papers were getting sorted out, and she's been here for 15+ years, married & had two children in that time. My cousin's fiancee wants to come live here, but until they can find the funds to get her an education visa, she can't. It's unfortunate, but we're not as welcoming as our reputation says we are.
I love the quality and kindness I get through my Kaiser healthcare.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Maybe start a GoFundMe for your trip. That seems to be a favorite for your ilk.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Why don't you move, then? With that attitude, we don't want you here.
Sadly, many of us don’t have enough money to move, because we’re too busy paying incredibly high medical bills.
You speak for an entire country? Woweeeee!
Who is "we"?
American health care is inhumane.
and nothing like what you see on TV probably.
Well, there's Breaking Bad.
I am from the UK and 10 years ago I suffered a very severe motorcycle accident where I was hit by a disqualified and uninsured driver. I was taken from the accident to hospital by air ambulance. At the first hospital they realised that my head injury was worse than they thought and that I needed to be taken to a specialist neurological unit. I was transferred by air ambulance again to the specialist hospital where I spent 3 weeks in a coma. In addition to my head injury I suffered a smashed left hip, broken pelvis, broken left arm and shoulder and a shattered left wrist. I had to have 6 different operations and over two years of Physiotherapy. None of this cost me a single penny and every single one of the NHS employees I encountered was absolutely superb and totally professional from the Medics and Neurosurgeons who saved my life, to the hospital porters. Since then I have had a career change and I now work as a Physiotherapist and I love every day at work.
I really, really wish people would appreciate our NHS more. I wish people would fight for it more, it's an amazing thing, but we won't have it this way for much longer I'm sure. Reading this list of bills is insane, as a fellow Brit I have paid for nothing but dental throughout my life.
I totally agree. I used to work in the NHS. People don't appreciate the NHS, they will when it's gone. There are adverts all day for 'medical negligence' claims companies. The government has sold off any profitable parts to the private sector, and they charge ridiculous amounts, paid for by our taxes. The NHS runs on the good will of hard working staff members who stay late every shift because the managers know they have compassion and won't just leave patients. It's heartbreaking, they ran it into the ground with budget cuts. Staff haven't had a pay rise since 2008. I'm certain that the NHS's days are numbered, very few people in the UK remember the days before universal health care, so we've become complacent.
I experienced medical aid in the UK as somewhat less accessible than in Germany, at least for 'small' problems. But I did love the fact that you could just get treated. Theoretically, my visits would have had to be paid by a European insurance , which would have meant lots of paperwork. No practice ever bothered. They just treated me and that was it. It mystifies me how people keep voting the Tories who are doing their best to destroy this great system.
Martin, congratulations on your recovery...I’m Canadian and my story is ...3 years ago I had a prostate biopsy and cancer was confirmed. In the preop. I had to have a chest X-ray and they found a lump about the size of a grape on my right lung.. A needle biopsy confirmed lung cancer so I had prostate surgery followed by lung surgery. They removed one third of my right lung. A year later, my eurologist informed me that my PSA numbers were not going down so I had to have 32 radiation treatments on the prostate bed. Some time later, I had my gall bladder removed and recently I had hernia surgery. This was a three year roller coaster ride but I’m hoping that’s it for a while....what was the cost for all this you ask?...it was $0.00. I never saw a bill or any other documentation related to costs, just like you in England or millions of patients all over the world with socialized medicine. Due to the insane medical costs in the USA I can’t go there...cheers🍷🇨🇦
I'm an Aussie who has travelled four times to the UK..on my third visit l spent my first evening in the A&E in London..l spent 3 hours there and it cost me nothing because l was asked for my Australian medicare card which l travelled with..thanks UK for having a medical policy that recognises Australian medical coverage..I've been to the States twice, thankfully l never needed medical treatment for anything..actually what is funny, the A&E doctor did not diagnose what was wrong with me, she did not even look at the area that was giving me grieve.I'd had a fall a couple a days before l flew out for my trip back at home..l thought I'd sprained my ankle.when l got to the States and spent a week with my friend SHE diagnosed what l had done AND supplied me with what l needed, a boot to support my foot/ankle/calf.(storm trooper boot is it's nick name) turns out I'd totally torn my fibial tendon from my foot bone.thank god l did not attend an American hospital the bill would have killed me.
We pretty much choose to die than go to a hospital because holy fecking bills. As a student of medicine, I know what goes on in hospitals and the amount of resources it takes, but even I agree that the expense is too much.
The NHS did a great job with my hearing Loss in my left ear, My Doctor diagnosed me with an ear infection and some condition I can't remember the name of. Referred to an ENT, got a scan, had an operation, got my hearing back and since then six month check on my ear, microsuction every time. COST.... £0. (apart from prescription ear drops)
I don't understand all the down votes on peoples comments. Everyone is right. The american health care system is garbage. Almost everything about this country is garbage and getting worse day by day. I wish I didn't live here. (don't say, well move, because if I could I would)
Same. Most of the world is going to shit one way or another. Ours is astronomical bills.
american health bills sound terrifying
Immigrate to Canada! We're awesome here :) You can get benefits/coverage from the gov't until you're on your feet!
I've looked into it, trust me. But you basically have to have family in Canada, already have a job lined up, or be rich.
Unfortunately, coming to Canada isn't very easy. It's really difficult to get a work visa and getting your citizenship is no easy task, even if you marry a Canadian. I know an ex-American who was sent back to America for half a year while her papers were getting sorted out, and she's been here for 15+ years, married & had two children in that time. My cousin's fiancee wants to come live here, but until they can find the funds to get her an education visa, she can't. It's unfortunate, but we're not as welcoming as our reputation says we are.
I love the quality and kindness I get through my Kaiser healthcare.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Maybe start a GoFundMe for your trip. That seems to be a favorite for your ilk.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Why don't you move, then? With that attitude, we don't want you here.
Sadly, many of us don’t have enough money to move, because we’re too busy paying incredibly high medical bills.
You speak for an entire country? Woweeeee!
Who is "we"?
American health care is inhumane.
and nothing like what you see on TV probably.
Well, there's Breaking Bad.