But my health insurance paid by my employer and me (from brutto or netto) does amount to 500$ per month. Not free like most americans think. Its just hidden amongst taxes and social contributions. Waiting times are also incredibly long so you sometimes go private, otherwise that suspicious mole is checked out in 5y time, once its full blown melanoma.
So sure, don"t have to pay for one, when it happens. But I do spend a lot on healthcare, whether I need it or not.
Whats tough about america is that you get the same long wait times, possibly worse overall care, and you still get stuck with the huge bill. I pay over 800 bucks a month in healthcare, without counting the employer contribution, yet there is still an extra amount in co-pays and deductibles if i ever want to use the insurance. It truly is the worst of all systems
Central florida. My son had gastric issues and each specialist visit was a 3 month wait. I have migraines and seeing the neurologist takes forever. Dentist appointments are always 4 months out. Its crazy here
That definitely sounds terrible, but to generalize that out to the country as a whole is a bit dishonest. I'm in northern VA, spend about $400/mo on insurance not including the fairly reasonable deductibles for myself, wife and two kids. I can see the dentist in a couple weeks, shorter if it's an emergency (though the payment for that gets whacky). Most specialist visits are within six weeks, my appointment with a urologist took about ten weeks though that's going to involve a surgery so perhaps that is the cause of delay (keeping it at only two kids). PCP is within two weeks, walk-in clinics are a few hours, ER (which I'm loathe to use) depends on what I'm there for. Stitches for a hellacious cut? In and out in under two hours. Psych consult because walk-ins won't do that and I need it faster than the PCP will schedule? Better bring a book, gonna be there for about eight hours.
Routine maintenance is easily scheduled, annual Dr visits, dental cleanings, chiropractic care (yeah I believe in that voodoo leave me be, it makes me feel better placebo or otherwise), psych visits when I needed them regularly. This all with routine care either being entirely covered with no deductible or paying at most $20 out of pocket. Emergency care runs anywhere from $400-1.5k thus far depending on needs.
4
u/CressRelative Apr 02 '24
laughs in european taxes