3 ms·

> In the US this would have taken many weeks and thousands of dollars. The many weeks part is not true, the $ part is pretty much random and unknown. Every ti

> In the US this would have taken many weeks and thousands of dollars. The many weeks part is not true, the $ part is pretty much random and unknown. Every time I've gotten injured, it has been a next day appointment, or I just walk into urgent care, and an MRI/Xray scheduled a day or two later. The imaging clinic my doctor uses provides a complete price sheet before any services are given, saying exactly: 1. How much the overall bill is 2. How much they will be billing and reimbursed from the health insurance company 3. What the patient's total will be > Meanwhile, back in Seattle, I'm also in Seattle, find a better clinic! (Also ERs are overkill for 99% of things, sucks if you get injured after Urgent Care hours though...)

paulsutter 7y ago
It wasn't an injury. I was at Swedish for a routine checkup and the doctor handed me a piece of paper and said "take this to the emergency desk, they can get you a scan". I had no intention of being checked into the ER and no idea I was about to be imprisoned for 8 hours. It wasn't a big deal for me to be robbed like that, but for most working people a surprise unnecessary $5500 bill would be a real problem, so it's infuriating.
- Reelin 7y ago
  > imprisoned for 8 hours You mentioned this twice, but unless you left out some major details you were never actually imprisoned. If you demand to leave it's almost always a felony to stop you.
  - paulsutter 7y ago
    They kept telling me I could not leave. If I knew how long it would take I would have called my lawyer to confirm, but it was always, “Just 20 more minutes and the doctor will be here” It was especially frustrating because I’d been asked to show up to the morning appointment fasted, and of course there was no food in the ER, but I guess it was more important to run up the tab. I’d prefer a Mexican hospital any day.

paulsutter 7y ago

It wasn't an injury. I was at Swedish for a routine checkup and the doctor handed me a piece of paper and said "take this to the emergency desk, they can get you a scan". I had no intention of being checked into the ER and no idea I was about to be imprisoned for 8 hours. It wasn't a big deal for me to be robbed like that, but for most working people a surprise unnecessary $5500 bill would be a real problem, so it's infuriating.

Reelin 7y ago
> imprisoned for 8 hours You mentioned this twice, but unless you left out some major details you were never actually imprisoned. If you demand to leave it's almost always a felony to stop you.
- paulsutter 7y ago
  They kept telling me I could not leave. If I knew how long it would take I would have called my lawyer to confirm, but it was always, “Just 20 more minutes and the doctor will be here” It was especially frustrating because I’d been asked to show up to the morning appointment fasted, and of course there was no food in the ER, but I guess it was more important to run up the tab. I’d prefer a Mexican hospital any day.