Amazing how much lifesaving meds are overpriced in the US

[tridacna]

I just spent 5 days in a hospital for due to a bacterial leg infection.
I had to pay NT$9,000 for the room ( I chose a room with only two people could have chosen a cheaper room with 4 or a more expensive room for one. ) Plus NT$2503 for some inspections not covered by local medical insurance every one in the country has.
So NT$11, 503 which is NT$30.9 to US$ so my out of pocket expenses just under $373
All my other costs including daily visits from infectious disease specialists ( One who does the chamber O2 came to see if I needed that treatment. ) Daptomycin aka Cubicin was one of the injected medicines. Goin to see the specialist on Thursday, leg is better but still swollen and around ankle a bit painful.

Would hate to think what this would have cost in the USA

Don't assume that ALL Americans lack healthcare. If you have decent insurance in the US, it would probably cost you even less. Most working Americans have pretty good insurance. Much of this discussion is about people who lack proper insurance.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Don't assume that ALL Americans lack healthcare. If you have decent insurance in the US, it would probably cost you even less. Most working Americans have pretty good insurance. Much of this discussion is about people who lack proper insurance.

I have other insurance that will pay what my basic coverage does not have. Thing is the costs on the bill are way less than what you would get billed for in the USA. So I didn't claim that Americans lack health care at all. Just compared what it would cost in the USA for the same treatment and consultations with infectious disease specialists. I saw mine every day.

 

[Blackcrusader]

That sounds scary. How did this happen?

Not sure really. Could have been from diving, coral cuts etc. Water borne diseases can enter through cuts or injuries, through you ears, eyes, nose, mouth etc Can happen from eating seafood but I really am not a sea food eater.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Don't assume that ALL Americans lack healthcare. If you have decent insurance in the US, it would probably cost you even less. Most working Americans have pretty good insurance. Much of this discussion is about people who lack proper insurance.

Not ALL Americans lack health care, but I challenge your statement that most working Americans have good health insurance. I believe most Americans have minimal health insurance set forth by employer mandates to provide HI, and a few in top notch jobs might have excellent insurance. The problem is not everyone is talented enough or good enough to land those super good jobs and there aren’t a lot of them to be had (well excuse us for being dirt bags!) There are a lot of mediocre jobs and employers are constantly look for areas to cut costs, one if which is the quality of the employees health insurance and other benefits.
Then you have the self employed sector who really gets ripped off. If I wanted super good health insurance I would have to pay more than what my house payment is including taxes and insurance. It also depends on where you live in the US. I live on the west coast. Our definition of low income is completely different from somewhere in Mississippi. Low income here is rolling pretty damn good in many other states, but Federal low income standards apply equally across the states. Federal low income standard in California is homeless. So for instance I just saw something on the news about what it takes to be considered normal income in San Francisco. They figured a million and a half a year just to be normal and 4.5 million just to “feel” wealthy!
The ones who benefit the most from Obamacare are the dirt poor poverty stricken who get everything, and the super rich who can afford anything. The rest of us have to pay dearly for it.

 

[DandyDon]

The ones who benefit the most from Obamacare are the dirt poor poverty stricken who get everything, and the super rich who can afford anything. The rest of us have to pay dearly for it.

Your statements probably have a lot of truth, but at least the previously uninsurable can now find medical insurance. The nice couple who rents my farmhouse (very cheaply!) didn't have any and I offered to help them shop for affordable coverage. They kept putting that off. They argued that the plans they could afford would pay little on clinic visits, but I explained that they could afford those while it's the big hits that they can't - like the $35+K list price on each of my leg angiograms & stent work, and I have had several. Medicare & my supplement paid for all of those in full, but they could be looking at huge debts or denial of services. They still put it off. The local hospital admitted him when he thought he was having a heart attack, but fortunately, they did not have to call the helicopter company to fly him to Lubbock. He's still supposed to see a cardiologist, but he'll probably stall on that. I do hope that they get signed up for medical insurance now. I could let them live rent free no more than they pay until they moved to government housing, but my help would be limited.

Back to saving on medicines: The Xarelto that got me started on this thread is available on several programs for much less than the list price, unless one is on Medicare or other government programs. Whatever, there are many possible challenges for some in affording medicines, and I wish that everyone would bookmark this site in case they might need it for themselves, friends, or relatives: Drug Price Comparisons & Online Pharmacy Safety | PharmacyChecker.com It's a wonderful starting place in shopping for various expensive meds even tho one may well find even better answers as they continue exploring. I got my $1,000/month Xarelto supplied for $11/month.

 

[Beau Holden]

Whatever, there are many possible challenges for some in affording medicines, and I wish that everyone would bookmark this site in case they might need it for themselves, friends, or relatives: Drug Price Comparisons & Online Pharmacy Safety | PharmacyChecker.com It's a wonderful starting place in shopping for various expensive meds even tho one may well find even better answers as they continue exploring. I got my $1,000/month Xarelto supplied for $11/month.

Just book marked it. Thanks!

 

[Dormant]

Don't assume that ALL Americans lack healthcare. If you have decent insurance in the US, it would probably cost you even less. Most working Americans have pretty good insurance. Much of this discussion is about people who lack proper insurance.

I disagree. Most US employees have poor insurance with super high deductibles and expensive premiums.

 

[tridacna]

Not ALL Americans lack health care, but I challenge your statement that most working Americans have good health insurance. I believe most Americans have minimal health insurance set forth by employer mandates to provide HI, and a few in top notch jobs might have excellent insurance. The problem is not everyone is talented enough or good enough to land those super good jobs and there aren’t a lot of them to be had (well excuse us for being dirt bags!) There are a lot of mediocre jobs and employers are constantly look for areas to cut costs, one if which is the quality of the employees health insurance and other benefits.
Then you have the self employed sector who really gets ripped off. If I wanted super good health insurance I would have to pay more than what my house payment is including taxes and insurance. It also depends on where you live in the US. I live on the west coast. Our definition of low income is completely different from somewhere in Mississippi. Low income here is rolling pretty damn good in many other states, but Federal low income standards apply equally across the states. Federal low income standard in California is homeless. So for instance I just saw something on the news about what it takes to be considered normal income in San Francisco. They figured a million and a half a year just to be normal and 4.5 million just to “feel” wealthy!
The ones who benefit the most from Obamacare are the dirt poor poverty stricken who get everything, and the super rich who can afford anything. The rest of us have to pay dearly for it.

I disagree. Most US employees have poor insurance with super high deductibles and expensive premiums.

Not those in gov. (Inc fire, police etc). Yes to those at Walmart. I’m sure you’re right. I’d like to see those numbers though. I personally pay $1,500/month for a sh1tty Obamacare plan.

 

[Dormant]

And most people do not have those coveted gov jobs. Most jobs exist in private sector and many are Wal Mart type jobs. So, no, most Americans indeed do NOT have good health insurance.

 

[tridacna]

And most people do not have those coveted gov jobs. Most jobs exist in private sector and many are Wal Mart type jobs. So, no, most Americans indeed do NOT have good health insurance.

Worth a read:

The State of U.S. Health Insurance in 2022

This brief presents findings from the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey to describe the state of Americans’ health insurance coverage in 2022.

www.commonwealthfund.org

We'd definitely be better off with a single payer system. It 's just not going to happen.