People have separated themselves from paying for their own and their families medical bills so completely.
This loaded statement of mine bears an addendum. When people who are willing to pay for their own equipment and meds find out the real cost, it is a shock. Much of the cost comes from others’ unpaid bills, and the inflated cost the insurance companies are willing to pay.
This is a subject my husband and friends and I have discussed much of late.
When my car’s oil needs changing, I can take it to my mechanic or to the local Jiffy Lube-type place. The Jiffy Lube-type place will charge me $15. My mechanic, because he’s full-service, will charge me more like $30.
But the oil will cost the same, and will be roughly the same price as if I bought it myself at O’Reilly.
Why is it, then, that the two Advil my husband was given in the ER cost us $42? I could buy literally hundreds of Advil caplets for $42.
Why is health care so erratically and illogically priced, and how do we solve the problem?