Hospital prices are not carved in stone, you can still argue for reduced deductible exposure and any contribution your insurance requires you to pay for your visits. A lot of Doctors will waive your portion of the office visits, too.

these sorts of things during my being uninsured. I only went to the Dr. or hospital when it was an emergency, but had I have known what you just said I would have done my yearly exams

Congrats on getting insurance!

they wanted $800 a month with a 7500 deductible. Glad it is working for you

And thanks!

make a good living.

so while I was contracting the money was good and if I could have sustained permanent contracts I could understand the amount. It was never taken under consideration when I wasn't working and had no income

But $800. a month suggests it is for more than one person, too. Was it only for you?

??????

that's even better than my work health insurance

As well as your income and age--in Central Ohio for '18, my choices were all HMOs--choose which hospital system you want to use. We chose a Bronze for $89 a month for the two of us, but higher deductible and out-of-pocket max (we hit that this year in a different plan with one emergency surgery). With luck, we won't need much and can pay down this year's expenses.

as an example of how they gouge the uninsured.

Medical providers have lots of prices, so a 40% discount to something that is way more than what insurance companies are charged is not a bargain.

or what?? I just got a raise on my Social Security. A whole $11 a month. What should I blow it on? Oh, yes, my house payment went up $60 a month so there is that. The fight for universal health care would be fantastic. Other countries manage it for their citizens, why not the USA?

That's $720/yr. Did your house insurance or property tax go up that much? That's a lot.

And my Soc. Sec. raise went entirely to my Medicare premium, but I still have to pay fed income tax on 85% of the increase that I didn't get.

Too many American politicians read both Ayn Rand and Adam Smith, embraced the first, and did not understand the second in any way whatsoever, so of course they all worship "rugged individuality" in the form of deregulation and their favourite catch-phrase "free market solutions." Because health care for all would be akin to slavery, y'see. You'd be forcing doctors work for you without pay, and that's just as good as stealing! And I can't believe that's the actual right-wing talking point about this, because that is so disingenuous on the face of it, I can't believe anyone says it with a straight face, but:

https://www.politico.com/story/2011/05/paul-right-to-health-care-is-slavery-054769

Link to tweet

Why did your house payment go up? If you own, do you have a variable rate mortgage?

Or did rent go up?

ended. So, the interest rate increased.

been sick nor have I had any injuries. Of course I also haven't had any checkups or exams in that time either, so there's that. I am eligible for Medicare in March but if the REPUBLICANS are going to end that or turn into a voucher program not sure if I should even bother.

I was very concerned about not getting my annual check ups. I'm afraid now for when I go.

No one is going to do anything with Medicare, is my thought. If republicans try and touch it no one would ever vote for them.

I started working in the early 80s and have been hearing SS is going away Medicare is going away. I think when you hear the same things for a few decades eventually you just stop believing in it

Even the pukes won't end Medicare in three months. If it does turn into a voucher program, it will probably be for new participants, not for existing accounts.

for prostate cancer. I know how great it is....for now.

I always thought that health insurance being linked to employment with certain employers was an absurd idea.

Disconnect the two and thing will be easier and better for both business and the people.

I've been there recently. It's rough. Googling home remedies for stuff because I couldn't afford a doctor or prescriptions. Trying to cook vegetables and exercise between bouts of sitting at home feeling frustrated with my life.

It's tough but very important to keep a positive attitude.

Each doctors office, hospital or collection agency will determine how much they will accept as payment, and some won't budge on the amount.

I once asked a specialist if they would reduce the price because I was uninsured and they said if they did that the insurance company would drop them as a provider.

And being uninsured, you're paying such jacked up prices that 40% off is probably still not as low as an insured person would pay. Plus, the insured person is only paying a percentage, the insurance company pays the rest.

Suggesting that you can get an automatic discount because you're uninsured is as irresponsible as the repubs who say just go to the emergency room, it's freeeeee! That debt can and will follow you for life.

me with repubs, and if you read my full post I did state

I'm not sure if this is universal. I didn't know it until I started racking up health bills then I got that call from UCONN looking for their money. Once the person on the other end of the phone realized I was without insurance he lowered all my bills by 40%

I did read your post. Just becasue you got a deal from UCONN doesn't mean that everyone else will. Also, what if your medical bills had been a million dollars and you go a 40% discount, would $600K be an ok amount?

for an e room visit back in 2011. I looked it up. I understand that this is the norm, if uninsured they can charge whatever their hearts desire. Don't expect much help from DR or hospitals. Best bet is to get care through clinics, most charge on what you can afford.