Posted by baseball55 on August 30, 2017, at 20:07:26
In reply to Re: Sorry - new thread actually-drug prices, posted by linkadge on August 30, 2017, at 16:09:49
> Also, the $325 charge does not reflect the true cost of the service.
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> Clearly, since we are a universal coverage system, (charging cash is not typical), that particular charge is more of a formality (likely not reflective of the true cost).
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I'm sure it doesn't reflect the cost at all because the hospitals never really have to cost out individual services in a universal payer system. But the prices of ER care (or any care, for that matter) in the US also doesn't reflect costs, unless we define costs to include exorbitant profits for for-profit hospitals, insurance and drug companies, ridiculously high salaries for many specialists and administrators and huge surpluses for "non-profit" hospitals. In the US, a breakdown of costs for treatment might include $500 for a liter of saline solution, $45 for gauze bandages, and on and on. These are the "base prices." Insurers will bargain them down. But those without insurance will be charged the base rates, making medical bills the second most common reason (after losing a job) for bankruptcy filings.
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poster:baseball55
thread:1094629
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20161215/msgs/1094767.html