5 ms·

Am European, can confirm. The idea that the first thing a kid gets in this world is a bill for healthcare services is amusing in a chilly sort of way. I mean, i

by alxlaz 9y ago

Am European, can confirm. The idea that the first thing a kid gets in this world is a bill for healthcare services is amusing in a chilly sort of way. I mean, it's not like the poor kid had a choice in the matter of whether he's born or not. What happens if the parents can't afford it? Does he, like, get to go back in until the parents pay? If he had an ailment, and it got cured, do they give it back to him? Do they put him in suspended animation :-)?

TomMarius 9y ago
It's the same in Europe though. The hospital will send a bill to the insurance company (usually there is one default and you can switch your children to another any time) in the name of the child.
- Symbiote 9y ago
  There is no "insurance company" in Britain or Denmark, the two countries I've been/am eligible for state healthcare as a resident. I've never seen any paperwork in either country regarding billing or other costs, and that's as an adult.
  - TomMarius 9y ago
    Yes, the paperwork is hidden from you, but its present, the hospital still needs a way to obtain funds from NHS, see: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_England https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_England - "The National Health Service (NHS) is free at the point of use for the patient though there are charges associated with eye tests, dental care, prescriptions, and many aspects of personal care." Please note that you basically listed two exceptions (plus other Nordic companies), most of EU countries have a system that combines private insurance companies with a combination of public, semi-public and completely private health providers.
- alxlaz 9y ago
  Of course there's a bill being handed out someplace, since hospitals pay medics in money not booze. Yes. The insurance operator (public or private) gets the bill. It may not look like much to those of us who hang out on HN, but if you have a normal job, serving drinks or selling stuff in a brick and mortar shop or whatever, there's a world of difference in details like who gets the bill, what you need in order to get insurance and so on.

by alxlaz 9y ago

TomMarius 9y ago

It's the same in Europe though. The hospital will send a bill to the insurance company (usually there is one default and you can switch your children to another any time) in the name of the child.

Symbiote 9y ago
There is no "insurance company" in Britain or Denmark, the two countries I've been/am eligible for state healthcare as a resident. I've never seen any paperwork in either country regarding billing or other costs, and that's as an adult.
- TomMarius 9y ago
  Yes, the paperwork is hidden from you, but its present, the hospital still needs a way to obtain funds from NHS, see: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_England https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_England - "The National Health Service (NHS) is free at the point of use for the patient though there are charges associated with eye tests, dental care, prescriptions, and many aspects of personal care." Please note that you basically listed two exceptions (plus other Nordic companies), most of EU countries have a system that combines private insurance companies with a combination of public, semi-public and completely private health providers.
alxlaz 9y ago
Of course there's a bill being handed out someplace, since hospitals pay medics in money not booze. Yes. The insurance operator (public or private) gets the bill. It may not look like much to those of us who hang out on HN, but if you have a normal job, serving drinks or selling stuff in a brick and mortar shop or whatever, there's a world of difference in details like who gets the bill, what you need in order to get insurance and so on.