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For someone with health insurance (as is legally mandated under the ACA) this would have cost about $30 ($20 office visit, $10 prescription). Completely agree
by ac29 10y ago
For someone with health insurance (as is legally mandated under the ACA) this would have cost about $30 ($20 office visit, $10 prescription).
Completely agree that the prices they charge to the uninsured are insane. Not sure what the situation is for tourists, but for American citizens, my understanding is that you cant be refused treatment if you don't have insurance. And most (many?) people without insurance just dont pay the bill.
- ceejayoz 10y ago> For someone with health insurance (as is legally mandated under the ACA) this would have cost about $30 ($20 office visit, $10 prescription). That's not what it costs, that's what they pay at that particular moment. It costs substantially more, which insurance covers out of the premiums being paid.
- ac29 10y agoThe office visit, probably (even though this would be less than 5 minutes of a Doctor's time, or increasingly a Physicians Assistant or similar). The prescription? No way, a course of penicillin or other common antibiotic costs pennies.
- ceejayoz 10y agoDoctor's offices don't bill in minute amounts, they bill for a visit (with variance for complexity). Even a low-complexity visit costs $100+ here in upstate NY. While there are certainly plenty of cheap ones, there are antibiotics that cost $1k for an oral course like Zyvox.
- narrowrail 10y agoWell, the insurance companies have a seat on the National Uniform Billing Committee, so they have a say.