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PaperclipPerfector  3d ago (text post)   2253 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 5, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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I don't know. 500,000? 1 million? It's definitely a number that a significant percent of Americans have exceeded. Of course, these are the exact people most likely to have generous government or corporate health plans so it's kind of a moot point.

The actual cost of most care is quite low when you strip away the layers of bullshit. Even complicated surgeries like gastic bypass should only cost around $20,000. Routine surgery is more like $5,000. Pretty cheap when compared to the astronomical cost of Obamacare-era health insurance.

I'd gladly forgo insurance except that I'm afraid that I'd either be refused care or charged astronomical sums for routine stuff. Aspirin? That will be $500. Since there appears to be no enforced regulation against unreasonable profiteering, they could theoretically charge me $1 million for an office visit. I suppose I could negotiate and simply refuse to pay unreasonable bills. The question is, how much hassle do I want to deal with.

I'll probably end up dropping insurance for the same reason I've dropped accountants and lawyers from my life: a strong preference to not pay the Danegeld even when it's easier just to do it.

I just want to say, from significant near-to-me experience- it’s very, very easy to call a medical provider and get large markdowns on the bill. They don’t fight you at all.

Thanks. That's helpful. I might just go commando and do it for my family next year. "Honey, hear me out".

But, seriously, yeah I will probably do it. No more paying for fatties, addicts, and gay orgies for this family!

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