5 ms·

My default (very good insurance) ER bill is $500 for checking in - I could change my mind and walk out 5 minutes after the intake form and still be responsible

• brianwawok 5y ago
  But like my out of pocket max is 3-5k for my entire family. So a few ER visits or have a baby and you are paying $0 the rest of the year. The reason a doctors visit is 0-$20 and an ER is $500 is because the insurance company is trying to steer you towards the more cost efficient treatment place. Yes you can go to the ER for a sprained ankle, but often you can wait until the next day and go to the doctor for better treatment for 1/10 the cost. Incentivizing you to make more budget friendly choices if capitalism. We like capitalism here right?
  • shakezula 5y ago
    > We like capitalism here right? I like to think we like objectivity. Your analogy about ERs is based on situations that aren't emergencies, so I'm not really sure how to square that with reality. Even following that analogy, you shouldn't delay medical attention to save money, and the insurance company shouldn't be dictating or steering any part of your medical treatment, period. Incentives only work when you have good information and time to make decisions. When you're in an emergency situation, you can't hop on your phone and shop around for the best deals on trauma surgeons and ambulance rides, and frankly that shouldn't be the expectation.