it doesn't, that's just what the bill says. The $500 aspirin stories are about what's printed on the bill but that is no where close to what is actually paid.

it doesn't, that's just what the bill says. The $500 aspirin stories are about what's printed on the bill but that is no where close to what is actually paid. This is a huge problem IMO and i mentioned it upthread. The prices printed on bills are never what's paid (unless some poor patient thinks that's what they actually owe). It's all negotiable. Taking away price negotiating and enforcing that what is on the bill is what is expected to be paid would help a lot. These ridiculous numbers would go away and people would actually know what their healthcare actually costs. edit: here's something to try, let's say your in teh US and you have a prescription card that does not cover brand medications, only generic. Goto your pharmacist and ask them how much you'll have to pay to get the brand. Then, offer to pay them half that amount in cash. You'll be surprised at the results.