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“One Tear In And They Charged Her $40”: Woman Shares How Her Sister Was Charged $40 For ‘Crying’ During Doctor’s Appointment, Goes Viral On Twitter
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“One Tear In And They Charged Her $40”: Woman Shares How Her Sister Was Charged $40 For ‘Crying’ During Doctor’s Appointment, Goes Viral On Twitter

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If you needed a sign that you might be living in a dystopia, this is it. Look, we all know that the situation with healthcare in the United States is ridiculously far from the best when it comes to supporting patients in their time of need. But the system is so broken, that it still somehow manages to surprise us in the nastiest ways.

Well-known YouTuber Camille Johnson shared on Twitter how her little sister got charged a whopping $40 for crying during a doctor’s appointment. The woman also shared a photo of the itemized bill given to her sister. Apparently, the “brief emotional/behavioral assessment” cost more than the capillary blood draw, vision test, and hemoglobin test.

Camille’s post quickly went viral and got over half a million likes in the span of a week. Scroll down to read what the YouTuber said about the entire situation, and how the internet reacted. Meanwhile, if you’ve ever been the victim of nonsensical medical charges, you can tell us about it in the comments, Pandas.

Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Andrew Carroll, CEO/Medical Director of Atembis LLC and Family Physician, for comment on the US healthcare system, the viral tweet, and what likely happened. Read on for his insights.

More info: YouTube | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Popular YouTuber Camille Johnson shared how unfair the US healthcare system was to her sister

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Camille’s sibling got charged $40 for shedding a single tear, and here’s the proof

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“There are different codes for different services performed, and since it’s a ‘fee for service’ system, hospitals often try to code up as many different services as they can to maximize their billings. We really need to move to a ‘prix fixe’ system to get away from this nightmare,” Dr. Carroll told Bored Panda.

“The code was likely for performing what is called a PHQ9 screening, which is a screening tool for depression. This screening does take time, but it’s not that much time. It’s unlikely that the billing was simply for observing someone crying. I’ve seen another bill for ‘Skin time’ which is placing a newborn baby on a mother’s chest right after birth, which is an absolutely ridiculous billing,” he said.

Dr. Carroll told us that he never charges for things like this, “but hospitals will likely charge for it, especially if they need to involve a behavioral counselor to assess the patient.”

We wanted to get the healthcare professional’s opinion on what someone can do if they believe that they’ve been overcharged at the hospital. He noted that there is a large difference between going to a private practice physician and going to a hospital.

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“If it’s a private practice physician, it’s a good idea to discuss it with the billing staff or with the physician themselves. We have a vested interest in making our patients happy and hopefully continue to see us. We do perform a lot of services during a visit, and some of them are paid for by separate codes and some of them are not. If you believe you have been billed fraudulently, always bring it up with the physician’s biller first. It’s easier to get it resolved that way,” the doctor shared.

“If it’s a hospital, it becomes a much more difficult issue. Call the hospital billing department and ask them to explain the billing, and whether they’re willing to adjust or cancel billings, especially if you believe they were services that were not actually provided,” Dr. Carroll said. “If that fails, call your insurance company to dispute services, because your insurance company doesn’t want to pay that bill either. Finally, if you believe you have been billed fraudulently and have not gotten relief from the hospital or insurance company, you can call an attorney to help you out. Medicare also has a hotline for calling in fraudulent billing which you can use if you haven’t gotten relief.”

Camille, who is based in Brooklyn, shared that her sister had been struggling with her health recently, as she has a rare disease. She’s had trouble finding care. According to the YouTuber, all it took was for her younger sibling to shed a single tear and she got charged the full $40.

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She also claims that the doctor never addressed why the patient was crying. Nobody helped her. Nobody did any evaluations whatsoever. It was seemingly a superfluous charge. It’s hard to trust the healthcare system and the folks working there when stuff like this happens.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. There have been earlier reports of people getting billed for getting emotional and crying. It’s dystopian to the max.

Camille moved to New York in 2016 to pursue a career being a full-time online content creator. She focuses on helpful and entertaining videos about beauty, fashion, hair, and lifestyle. Camille calls her fans and community members ‘Camilleans’ and values self-expression, as well as empowering others. Health and happiness lie at the core of what’s important to her.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Other Twitter users pitched in with similar examples of being overcharged at the hospital for ridiculous things

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Here’s what some other internet users had to say about healthcare in the United States

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You know things are bad when reality starts mirroring exaggerations in children’s cartoons

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Bored Panda has analyzed exactly why the healthcare system in the US is so weak when compared to other developed countries, time and time again. In short, there’s very little actual competition within the system, meaning certain companies can dominate the field. What’s more, a huge amount of money gets wasted on bureaucracy, leaving far fewer resources to be spent on the patients themselves. To sum up, it’s a system that puts finances above people. And it shows.

Dr. Carroll, a healthcare professional from Arizona, previously explained to Bored Panda that there are clear financial incentives for healthcare insurance companies to keep the system as it is and avoid changing it. That means sticking to high administrative costs.

“It will be very difficult to reduce the administrative costs without overhauling the payment system altogether,” the doctor told us.

“Unfortunately, these payers tend not to have altruistic intentions towards their members. They cater to the advantage of the employers paying for the benefits, who want to try and spend the least amount of money they can,” he said.

“Employers that pay for benefits will need to demand more of the companies providing the benefits or patients will need to file class-action lawsuits to demand that benefits due to them are not unduly restricted, as they are today.”

Insurance companies are very deeply involved in the provision of care for their patients, Dr. Carroll said. “Their job is not to pay for healthcare but avoid paying for healthcare. It is a terrible system,” he explained.

“We are trained very early, almost like soldiers, to work hard and long hours, deal with extremely stressful conditions, and work through the emotional turmoil of death, debility, and the effect those things have on the patient and their families,” the doctor said that healthcare professionals have it incredibly tough as well.

“I love what I do because I could not see myself doing anything else. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was 5, since I myself had a major medical issue. I remember the care and compassion my doctors when I was that age showed me, and helped me get through my very tough time. I wanted to do that for others, and so far I think I have done so. Insurance companies make it difficult though, and nearly force cold, inhumane, and compassionless rules on patients when they are most vulnerable,” Dr. Carroll told us.

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markalibozek avatar
Mark Alibozek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I have a psychiatrist who as of January hikes up visit rates by 50% despite being over the phone now and they are at home. 225$! Last visit they had me sitting on the phone for over half an hour just to talk for almost ten minutes. Now tells me I have to do this every month in order to get my adhd medication that I've been taking for almost ten years. Pretty sure this is extortion

censorshipsucks3 avatar
censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sure but keep voting for capitalists, go right ahead. You COULD have had BERNIE but noooooo...

i24get avatar
George Gameston
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

All Bernie and Biden want to do is keep the gravey train running, and just shift who pays. What you actually need in the US is a SHIFT in the rip off billing, where doctors and hospitals alike have their bills capped to something reasonable. Every modern procedure performed in the Netherlands is billed at least half the price of an equivilent US institution - yet the treatment is just as good ( if not better in some cases). You people should stop focussing on who pays and instead on HOW MUCH you are paying.

Load More Replies...
danielyamada avatar
Daniel Yamada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could have left out the word "American" because that is obvious.

hunnreich avatar
T.Milly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't even get me going on this subject!! My son recently took a 2.5mi ambulance ride which cost nearly $3000.00. I know insurance doesn't cover ambulance rides but I really want to know how a 2.5 mi ride could cost $3000.00! I had a brief stay in one hospital where they charged me $100.00 PER multivitamin pill. I took 5 pills during the course of my stay. Unreal. American healthcare & services operate on the GREED policy. Makes me sick!

ruthhuijgens avatar
Gnub
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was in an American hospital I'd even be careful not to flush the toilet because I'd expect a $250 dollar bill for that at least. Don't use a towel, don't sit on a chair. And for the love of god don't take one of their vitamin pills! I'm sincerely curious how you can pay such high bills, does it fall under insurance usually? Because in my country people would really not be able to pay a couple 1000's of dollars just like that whenever they'd need to see a medic. They'd never go to a doctor unless maybe if they were truly in agony and dying.

Load More Replies...
ambermae avatar
ACatNamedStromboli
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husbands dad got charged $15,000 to have life flight on stand by. He didn't even have you use the service but they charged him anyway. It's insane. And not all doctors are greedy. A few of mine are sick of the insurance c**p too. One told me that he got into the profession because he wanted to help people and it's hard because sometimes the insurance companies tie his hands. It is messed up.

lissmerriweather avatar
Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THE USA NEEDS SOCIALIZED MEDICINE! We already have socialized police, and fire service. I do not mean we should switch to socialism completely. Honestly, I don't think that works. However I do believe we could combine the best of socialism w/ the best of a democracy ( Like Nordic Democracy) to create a country where individuals can innovate & capitalize while the providing basic necessary care for everyone. It can work, it does work.

lissmerriweather avatar
Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I joke that "I haven't had medical insurance for most of my life so I'm basically a doctor." Both myself & my mother have asthma. I remember about 12 years ago I think, we read that the OTC inhaler 'Primatine mist' was going to be discontinued. We, & ALOT of people were in a panic trying to stock up on these inhalers. They if course sold out quickly, because the cost of having insurance, going to a doctor, getting a prescription, and getting the meds was (still is😔) way too high. So I learned how to treat asthma attacks with natural remedies. Also, because I am clumsy, I have had quite a few injuries that I should have gone to a doctor for, but instead treated them myself. Sprains, cuts, even a couple of hairline fractures. When I was 19, I fell, breaking my leg & ankle, & needed surgery costing me about $20,000, which was hard to pay when you can't work. I have insurance now but it's still too much money. The US needs to change our Healthcare system.

skidog911 avatar
Kusotare
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only people who don't think the American system of healthcare (if you can call it a 'system') is not broken are those that have a vested interest in it.

jenmower avatar
TheNewJenBrady
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was charged $400 for an ambulance ride from a clinic to the hospital emergency department ACROSS THE STREET. And the clinic was an extension of that hospital, run by that hospital, and obviously had the same name as the hospital with the clinic specialty in smaller letters afterwards on all signage

pauldavis avatar
Paul Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that bribery in the form of "campaign contributions" is legal in the U.S., so most politicians are easily bought by any industry. Other countries should take note that this sort of naked capitalism is almost as destructive as pure communism.

zhangchuer avatar
CHuZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a doctor in the UK. Just a few years ago I've needed numerous hospital admissions and major surgery and I can't imagine how I would afford that in the US. The NHS has its flaws for sure, but it does step up when needed despite what the Tories do to try and tear it down.

tahadata avatar
Lara Verne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They charge you for medication, procedures and for a fact they just had to look at you. But tell me one logical reason how can doctor charge you for crying.

tlgmc avatar
tl gmc
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also how is it logical to charge for handing a baby to a new mother. Guess they think they should just drop it?

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lissmerriweather avatar
Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all those who don't have insurance, I am not a doctor, but I just wanted to add some things that have helped me for minor medical issues. For asthma attacks, licorice root is surprisingly helpful. I used it in tea. Ginger & chamomile also help. For minor asthma issues, try playing a simple puzzle game, or some simple activity to keep your mind occupied so you don't exacerbate the problem while your symptoms subside naturally.--Use 2 to 3 drops of garlic oil for ear infections. You can make it yourself. Anniesremedy.com has alot of useful tips for natural remedies for a wide variety of things.

fjlop23 avatar
best turtle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is currently the dumbest thing american healthcare has charged someone for

monicamichelle avatar
Monica Michelle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1200 walk into er 859 per IV stick 1200 per banana bag 3k 1 mile ambulance ride

rangerboat94 avatar
Bryan Hamilton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the ER in Kansas a while back with muscle issues and they started running heart tests on me even though I told them it was a muscle issue. Walking through the door cost me $3700 and the total bill was close to $7000 for being there an hour and a half.

m_faith88 avatar
Faith M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP just can’t quit. NO ONE HAS FREE HEALTHCARE. How do adults keep saying stupid c**p like that? Socialized medicine is just the government taking your money and paying for your lousy second rate care. F that. I’ll pay my own way and keep that greasy creep Bernie and his hair sniffing freak partner out of my life

lauren_christie avatar
Lauren Christie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm suddenly reminded of Les Mis, when Thernandier is singing Master of the House, and going on about how he boosts up the bills by charging people for looking in the mirror twice, or sleeping with the window shut, or for having mice in their room. Keep in mind, that song was considered a FARCE, and the character a shyster and a criminal. Never meant to be inspiration for crooked doctors!

sleepinglioness avatar
somnomania
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the sad thing is that i would LOVE to move to sweden or one of the other nordic countries. but i was just looking into it recently, and i'd never be able to without winning millions in the lottery, because to be able to get disability benefits there, you have to have lived there for three years. unless they can come up with a job my busted a*s can do, with my garbage brain and inability to use regular chairs for very long, and my incredibly erratic sleeping habits, there's no way i'd survive there.

kjl01 avatar
Karen Lyon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have reasonably good health insurance: low copay, meds also low or fully paid for. And while I'm not happy that I had to pay for a second mammogram, I get why. The doctors, though. I went in to the doctor for something minor, was billed for the copay later, and would forget to send it in. Got a nasty phone call about my account, and a letter telling me that I was no longer a patient due to non-payment. It was $20, for crying out loud. I sent it in without a nasty note in kind (although I was tempted.) I guess I'll find out if I can go back to that clinic once the payment comes through. But I have to say, I'm at the point where I will go find another doctor: if they got this s****y over $20, I can't imagine how they treat people who really need serious care. I'd rather find a group that cares about more than the bottom line.

heathervance avatar
AzKhaleesi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took an ambo once... they charged me $5 for the pen they used to write stuff down. A. PEN. That the EMT OWNED. I was like wtf?

dc1 avatar
DC
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going to the doctor sucks anyway, regardless of cost. You gotta train a new one to obey once the old is worn out or died, and every time, you gotta beat the falsehoods of oversimplification out of them again. Being charged for crying when getting to know about some rare disease that sure causes some relevant discomfort - if not, how would anyone go there in the first place? -, some time to diagnose, and so on and so on, and any treatment may very well be a burden, too, as is the disease, ... so you do cry a bit and get charged $ 40 for being overly emotional? Hey, just listen to older people who suffer from depression, follow their model and suck it up. Include in daily life. Don't rinse, but repeat! So, in a few years, you will also be able to come in for your depression, and as the doctor of a grown up crybaby misses out on the revenue if people make crying something normal in a situation that feels fücked up ... have some sympathy, a Porsche isn't for free, let alone a new one every other year!

lauren_christie avatar
Lauren Christie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You gotta train a new one to obey once the old is worn out or died, and every time, you gotta beat the falsehoods of oversimplification out of them again" My regular GP retired, so I went to another one, only he proved himself to be incompetent, so I had to find another one - and now HE has decided to work only in hospitals, so now I have to find ANOTHER one. And it's not just a matter of seeing what doctors are in my area and taking on new patients, I have several complex medical issues requiring long-term care, and God if it isn't a nightmare going to an appointment and trying to vet whether they will be useless or not. Fully agree, "training" new ones is a nightmare

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isabellelamarque avatar
Isabelle Lamarque
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT?! If they wouldn't charged me for crying at doctor's appointments I would've lost fortunes already 😱 accepting a serious illness is an emotional thing. You're paying for being human and having feelings by those who are supposed to help and support you during this time? 😱 That's so wrong on so many levels

circular-motion avatar
Mer☕️🧭☕️
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kind of thing is EXACTLY why I have a Paypal fundraiser for the MONTH I spent in the hospital plus the cost of a prosthetic leg from the resulting amputation. (It's https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8K4lSxydpv if you have anything to spare.)

hmcastilloest2014 avatar
Moezzzz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a $330,000 medical bill for a spinal stimulator. It was literally a 4 hour procedure and I went home from the office. Insurance paid everything but $6500. I'm still screaming about this b******t. Oh, and I still have pain.

nadineg_1 avatar
SCP-3998
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dislocated my knee. Went to the hospital, Xrays, doc looking at it, etc. $40 was the end price, and that's because I CHOSE to buy the leg brace. Edit; I live in Canada

cartooncasey avatar
Casey Payne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ambulance ride for one mile $730.42. My roommate got mugged. We called the police. Police called for an ambulance to do a health check. The ambulance, by order from the police, took my friend to the nearest hospital which was only 2 & 1/2 blocks away. They barely touched him. Performed no inspection other than questions. Roommate got charged a little bit over $1,500. A worthless, mandatory ride less than 1,500 feet for more than $1,500? There's no justification for that. That's not a system - That's chaos.

noneanon avatar
Random Anon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is disgusting, truly. The whole medical industry is basically predatory in nature.

breakmyheart avatar
Something
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The USA's medical system is a hybrid of a capitalist system and a socialist system, and it perfectly combines the flaws of each.

ruthhuijgens avatar
Gnub
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fail to see the socialist part though? Usually very socialist means very cheap but also rather inefficient (long waiting times or long procedures to get the right aid) but this does not seem to be an issue in the US. US healthcare just kills you with sorrow over its unaffordableness. (Which is in a sense, very efficient. A very self-sustaining system.)

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mariamandjik295 avatar
Maria Mandjik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Canada and we have free health care but it is not as good as it used to because our Conservative governments have been in a mission in the last 30 years to get rid of it and go private health, that would be disastrous but American providers have been aggressively influencing our politicians.

m_faith88 avatar
Faith M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t have free healthcare. You pay with taxes and crappy care

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mark_wkelly avatar
Mark Kelly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad I live in canada. Yes I know we don't have a perfect system but at least we don't have a bill at the end

kiloalphatango avatar
Miss Kat O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get it.... so I assume Americans pay taxes right? So where do your taxes go if they aren't funding healthcare?

rhemore1 avatar
Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If ariel ufret so dissatisfied with England's medical practices at the moment (we all are) then I suggest she goes back home, simple.

markalibozek avatar
Mark Alibozek
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I have a psychiatrist who as of January hikes up visit rates by 50% despite being over the phone now and they are at home. 225$! Last visit they had me sitting on the phone for over half an hour just to talk for almost ten minutes. Now tells me I have to do this every month in order to get my adhd medication that I've been taking for almost ten years. Pretty sure this is extortion

censorshipsucks3 avatar
censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

sure but keep voting for capitalists, go right ahead. You COULD have had BERNIE but noooooo...

i24get avatar
George Gameston
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

All Bernie and Biden want to do is keep the gravey train running, and just shift who pays. What you actually need in the US is a SHIFT in the rip off billing, where doctors and hospitals alike have their bills capped to something reasonable. Every modern procedure performed in the Netherlands is billed at least half the price of an equivilent US institution - yet the treatment is just as good ( if not better in some cases). You people should stop focussing on who pays and instead on HOW MUCH you are paying.

Load More Replies...
danielyamada avatar
Daniel Yamada
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could have left out the word "American" because that is obvious.

hunnreich avatar
T.Milly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't even get me going on this subject!! My son recently took a 2.5mi ambulance ride which cost nearly $3000.00. I know insurance doesn't cover ambulance rides but I really want to know how a 2.5 mi ride could cost $3000.00! I had a brief stay in one hospital where they charged me $100.00 PER multivitamin pill. I took 5 pills during the course of my stay. Unreal. American healthcare & services operate on the GREED policy. Makes me sick!

ruthhuijgens avatar
Gnub
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I was in an American hospital I'd even be careful not to flush the toilet because I'd expect a $250 dollar bill for that at least. Don't use a towel, don't sit on a chair. And for the love of god don't take one of their vitamin pills! I'm sincerely curious how you can pay such high bills, does it fall under insurance usually? Because in my country people would really not be able to pay a couple 1000's of dollars just like that whenever they'd need to see a medic. They'd never go to a doctor unless maybe if they were truly in agony and dying.

Load More Replies...
ambermae avatar
ACatNamedStromboli
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husbands dad got charged $15,000 to have life flight on stand by. He didn't even have you use the service but they charged him anyway. It's insane. And not all doctors are greedy. A few of mine are sick of the insurance c**p too. One told me that he got into the profession because he wanted to help people and it's hard because sometimes the insurance companies tie his hands. It is messed up.

lissmerriweather avatar
Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THE USA NEEDS SOCIALIZED MEDICINE! We already have socialized police, and fire service. I do not mean we should switch to socialism completely. Honestly, I don't think that works. However I do believe we could combine the best of socialism w/ the best of a democracy ( Like Nordic Democracy) to create a country where individuals can innovate & capitalize while the providing basic necessary care for everyone. It can work, it does work.

lissmerriweather avatar
Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I joke that "I haven't had medical insurance for most of my life so I'm basically a doctor." Both myself & my mother have asthma. I remember about 12 years ago I think, we read that the OTC inhaler 'Primatine mist' was going to be discontinued. We, & ALOT of people were in a panic trying to stock up on these inhalers. They if course sold out quickly, because the cost of having insurance, going to a doctor, getting a prescription, and getting the meds was (still is😔) way too high. So I learned how to treat asthma attacks with natural remedies. Also, because I am clumsy, I have had quite a few injuries that I should have gone to a doctor for, but instead treated them myself. Sprains, cuts, even a couple of hairline fractures. When I was 19, I fell, breaking my leg & ankle, & needed surgery costing me about $20,000, which was hard to pay when you can't work. I have insurance now but it's still too much money. The US needs to change our Healthcare system.

skidog911 avatar
Kusotare
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only people who don't think the American system of healthcare (if you can call it a 'system') is not broken are those that have a vested interest in it.

jenmower avatar
TheNewJenBrady
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was charged $400 for an ambulance ride from a clinic to the hospital emergency department ACROSS THE STREET. And the clinic was an extension of that hospital, run by that hospital, and obviously had the same name as the hospital with the clinic specialty in smaller letters afterwards on all signage

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Paul Davis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The problem is that bribery in the form of "campaign contributions" is legal in the U.S., so most politicians are easily bought by any industry. Other countries should take note that this sort of naked capitalism is almost as destructive as pure communism.

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CHuZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a doctor in the UK. Just a few years ago I've needed numerous hospital admissions and major surgery and I can't imagine how I would afford that in the US. The NHS has its flaws for sure, but it does step up when needed despite what the Tories do to try and tear it down.

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Lara Verne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They charge you for medication, procedures and for a fact they just had to look at you. But tell me one logical reason how can doctor charge you for crying.

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tl gmc
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also how is it logical to charge for handing a baby to a new mother. Guess they think they should just drop it?

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Bonesko
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To all those who don't have insurance, I am not a doctor, but I just wanted to add some things that have helped me for minor medical issues. For asthma attacks, licorice root is surprisingly helpful. I used it in tea. Ginger & chamomile also help. For minor asthma issues, try playing a simple puzzle game, or some simple activity to keep your mind occupied so you don't exacerbate the problem while your symptoms subside naturally.--Use 2 to 3 drops of garlic oil for ear infections. You can make it yourself. Anniesremedy.com has alot of useful tips for natural remedies for a wide variety of things.

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best turtle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is currently the dumbest thing american healthcare has charged someone for

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Monica Michelle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1200 walk into er 859 per IV stick 1200 per banana bag 3k 1 mile ambulance ride

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Bryan Hamilton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the ER in Kansas a while back with muscle issues and they started running heart tests on me even though I told them it was a muscle issue. Walking through the door cost me $3700 and the total bill was close to $7000 for being there an hour and a half.

m_faith88 avatar
Faith M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BP just can’t quit. NO ONE HAS FREE HEALTHCARE. How do adults keep saying stupid c**p like that? Socialized medicine is just the government taking your money and paying for your lousy second rate care. F that. I’ll pay my own way and keep that greasy creep Bernie and his hair sniffing freak partner out of my life

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Lauren Christie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm suddenly reminded of Les Mis, when Thernandier is singing Master of the House, and going on about how he boosts up the bills by charging people for looking in the mirror twice, or sleeping with the window shut, or for having mice in their room. Keep in mind, that song was considered a FARCE, and the character a shyster and a criminal. Never meant to be inspiration for crooked doctors!

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somnomania
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the sad thing is that i would LOVE to move to sweden or one of the other nordic countries. but i was just looking into it recently, and i'd never be able to without winning millions in the lottery, because to be able to get disability benefits there, you have to have lived there for three years. unless they can come up with a job my busted a*s can do, with my garbage brain and inability to use regular chairs for very long, and my incredibly erratic sleeping habits, there's no way i'd survive there.

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Karen Lyon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have reasonably good health insurance: low copay, meds also low or fully paid for. And while I'm not happy that I had to pay for a second mammogram, I get why. The doctors, though. I went in to the doctor for something minor, was billed for the copay later, and would forget to send it in. Got a nasty phone call about my account, and a letter telling me that I was no longer a patient due to non-payment. It was $20, for crying out loud. I sent it in without a nasty note in kind (although I was tempted.) I guess I'll find out if I can go back to that clinic once the payment comes through. But I have to say, I'm at the point where I will go find another doctor: if they got this s****y over $20, I can't imagine how they treat people who really need serious care. I'd rather find a group that cares about more than the bottom line.

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AzKhaleesi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I took an ambo once... they charged me $5 for the pen they used to write stuff down. A. PEN. That the EMT OWNED. I was like wtf?

dc1 avatar
DC
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going to the doctor sucks anyway, regardless of cost. You gotta train a new one to obey once the old is worn out or died, and every time, you gotta beat the falsehoods of oversimplification out of them again. Being charged for crying when getting to know about some rare disease that sure causes some relevant discomfort - if not, how would anyone go there in the first place? -, some time to diagnose, and so on and so on, and any treatment may very well be a burden, too, as is the disease, ... so you do cry a bit and get charged $ 40 for being overly emotional? Hey, just listen to older people who suffer from depression, follow their model and suck it up. Include in daily life. Don't rinse, but repeat! So, in a few years, you will also be able to come in for your depression, and as the doctor of a grown up crybaby misses out on the revenue if people make crying something normal in a situation that feels fücked up ... have some sympathy, a Porsche isn't for free, let alone a new one every other year!

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Lauren Christie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"You gotta train a new one to obey once the old is worn out or died, and every time, you gotta beat the falsehoods of oversimplification out of them again" My regular GP retired, so I went to another one, only he proved himself to be incompetent, so I had to find another one - and now HE has decided to work only in hospitals, so now I have to find ANOTHER one. And it's not just a matter of seeing what doctors are in my area and taking on new patients, I have several complex medical issues requiring long-term care, and God if it isn't a nightmare going to an appointment and trying to vet whether they will be useless or not. Fully agree, "training" new ones is a nightmare

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Isabelle Lamarque
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT?! If they wouldn't charged me for crying at doctor's appointments I would've lost fortunes already 😱 accepting a serious illness is an emotional thing. You're paying for being human and having feelings by those who are supposed to help and support you during this time? 😱 That's so wrong on so many levels

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Mer☕️🧭☕️
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This kind of thing is EXACTLY why I have a Paypal fundraiser for the MONTH I spent in the hospital plus the cost of a prosthetic leg from the resulting amputation. (It's https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8K4lSxydpv if you have anything to spare.)

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Moezzzz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a $330,000 medical bill for a spinal stimulator. It was literally a 4 hour procedure and I went home from the office. Insurance paid everything but $6500. I'm still screaming about this b******t. Oh, and I still have pain.

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SCP-3998
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dislocated my knee. Went to the hospital, Xrays, doc looking at it, etc. $40 was the end price, and that's because I CHOSE to buy the leg brace. Edit; I live in Canada

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Casey Payne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ambulance ride for one mile $730.42. My roommate got mugged. We called the police. Police called for an ambulance to do a health check. The ambulance, by order from the police, took my friend to the nearest hospital which was only 2 & 1/2 blocks away. They barely touched him. Performed no inspection other than questions. Roommate got charged a little bit over $1,500. A worthless, mandatory ride less than 1,500 feet for more than $1,500? There's no justification for that. That's not a system - That's chaos.

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Random Anon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is disgusting, truly. The whole medical industry is basically predatory in nature.

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Something
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The USA's medical system is a hybrid of a capitalist system and a socialist system, and it perfectly combines the flaws of each.

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Gnub
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fail to see the socialist part though? Usually very socialist means very cheap but also rather inefficient (long waiting times or long procedures to get the right aid) but this does not seem to be an issue in the US. US healthcare just kills you with sorrow over its unaffordableness. (Which is in a sense, very efficient. A very self-sustaining system.)

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Maria Mandjik
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Canada and we have free health care but it is not as good as it used to because our Conservative governments have been in a mission in the last 30 years to get rid of it and go private health, that would be disastrous but American providers have been aggressively influencing our politicians.

m_faith88 avatar
Faith M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t have free healthcare. You pay with taxes and crappy care

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Mark Kelly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Glad I live in canada. Yes I know we don't have a perfect system but at least we don't have a bill at the end

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Miss Kat O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get it.... so I assume Americans pay taxes right? So where do your taxes go if they aren't funding healthcare?

rhemore1 avatar
Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If ariel ufret so dissatisfied with England's medical practices at the moment (we all are) then I suggest she goes back home, simple.

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