Health Insurance is the Problem
“As a broker in the health insurance business, I loved your article on the insanity of health insurance for all. Let me tell you what happened to me.
I needed an MRI for a shoulder injury. Well, knowing approximately what MRIs cost due to my wife having one six months earlier, I asked my doctor what they charged. I was given a figure of about $1500. I asked to be referred to the place where my wife had hers done at a cost of about $575. The tech sent me to their office manager who asked me about my wife’s MRI that only cost about $575. Amazingly, within 30 seconds, I was scheduled to have an MRI at MY Doctor’s for $575. Unbelievable.
What happened next was even a bigger shocker. I just saved my insurance company $900. So I called them to explain that I had negotiated a lower price. Yeah, yeah, they noted my chart. Unbelievably, when they received the bill (for $575) they paid $875 because that was their minimum UCR [”Usual, Customary and Reasonable” Fee]. I was furious but had few options.”
I don’t have insurance, and I’m honestly glad. I’d be worse off it I had it. Though I should probably get some high deductible catastrophic insurance, but beyond that I don’t think it is worth it.