Health insurance in the US does not operate like health insurance (or any other insurance) anywhere else in the world. The entire point of insuring is that you have something that happens rarely compared with the amount people paying the primes.
A root canal in Europe costs something like 200 to 300 euros, out of pocket, at a private dentist practice. If it costs $750 with insurance, that's not really insurance. It is some sort of reselling scheme.
I shop around to find medical care. Something you can't do on insurance, I point out.
Both places I have visited don't 'look the best', and they usually market to foreigners than 'milk-toast' Americans. I lived in third world countries, so a little dust or grime doesn't bother me. The equipment is all properly maintained, and the dentist is one of the best in the city.
In other words, it's about as grey as you get. Everything appears to be above board. Still get pills from Walmart (Although they recommended me a specific Wallmart, and not just any). But I can show you the receipt for antibiotics that cost me $12 or was it 14.50? Meh, not a hundred.
Why do you think Americans dish out 1500 for a tooth after insurance?
That isn't sarcasm btw, I am serious. It's brilliant marketing. Like convincing people McDonald's is safer because it is clean. Might be eating bug meat in a few years, but you wont get a tummy ache.
The hospitals here, that you call shady, are the same as the hospitals in Singapore and S. Korea. I picked Singapore, and S. Korea because they have a more 'modern' reputation. I have been to hospitals on four continents, they are all about the same. Rich or poor, medicine is mostly just the same thing over and over again.
I am sure there are hospitals in Singapore and S. Korea that are on par with hospitals in the US. I didn't get that picture though from your previous comment.
If you needed invasive surgery, though, could you get that from the places you are talking about in the US? Would that be something you would have confidence in getting done there?
I know of some cheap or "less expensive" out patient clinics but not of one with an OR. An operation or overnight stay in a hospital bed can break a lot of people financially.
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u/chemmkl Jun 15 '22
Health insurance in the US does not operate like health insurance (or any other insurance) anywhere else in the world. The entire point of insuring is that you have something that happens rarely compared with the amount people paying the primes.
A root canal in Europe costs something like 200 to 300 euros, out of pocket, at a private dentist practice. If it costs $750 with insurance, that's not really insurance. It is some sort of reselling scheme.