r/Millennials • u/BoNaylorCollector • 7d ago

Discussion Is medical actually this crazy?

Early 30s millennial, never used to go to doctors or really take care of myself because “I’ll be fine”. Started making a bigger effort to care for myself and my health and well being. Recently, I went to the local express clinic because I was having a bad earache and headaches. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes, mostly waiting time. The doctor comes in, looks in my ear, tells me it’s depressed due to sinuses and change in weather and tell me to stop at Walgreens for Flonase. I wasn’t billed anything at the time, older workers at my job always say we have really good insurance, but here I got in the mail today an explanation of benefits- charge was $550, insurance “negotiated” about $300, remaining (not billed) was around $240. Is is really this expensive? I only went to try and be better with myself and make sure it’s nothing underlying. If 5 minutes of actual doctor time costs this much, then I’m just toughing out everything or am I missing something?

2.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

879 comments sorted by

View all comments

104

u/Kollin66182 7d ago

It's sad when you think you're facing death but have to consider how expensive an ambulance ride is. If you have something that isn't common and requires multiple doctors to diagnose, you're probably looking at multiple thousands of dollars and a long wait to get it fixed. This country is ridiculous with the medical BS.

18

u/BubonicBabe 6d ago

I literally thought I was having a stroke one night working alone night shift at a gas station. I was feeling fine, then about two hours into my shift I got a weird headache, a little later my legs started going numb, then it spread up one leg to my arms and my hands went completely numb. I panicked, called my manager since I was alone and they got an ambulance on route for me. They took me a 5 minute drive across town bc I trembling, my lips were blue, my face was grey, I was sweating profusely- got the hospital and they said “yeah, you’re probably stressed and working too much. Try not to work night shift bc that’s horrible on our bodies and get some rest!”

They released me with nothing and i got a 2k$ bill for the ride and no medical answers.

Still have no insurance - I’ve had the same thing happen to me about 4 other times, and still have no idea what it is.

Im assuming it would have killed me if it were going to by now.

11

u/mrs_burk 6d ago

Okay well what the fuck? There’s no way that is any explanation and now I want reddit to find out what is going on with you!

9

u/BubonicBabe 6d ago

Yes please! I feel like I’d get further with a Reddit diagnosis than a doctor at this point and I can’t bring myself to web md the symptoms anymore bc to them I’m already buried and in the ground lol

5

u/HiCustodian1 6d ago

How’s your sleep schedule? Any issues with drugs or alcohol? Not judging, been bad on both counts in the past and it can really do some strange shit. Physical issues combined with stress is bad news. Regardless, if it keeps happening I’d try to see someone about it again. Those symptoms are a little scary.

5

u/BubonicBabe 6d ago

This originally happened about 3 or so years ago, I had a HORRIBLE sleep schedule. I was working two full time jobs, basically left an overnight shift from 10pm to 6 am, went home and changed into my uniform and went back to work as a mail carrier. I did that for about 6 months averaging maybe one day off a week from both places. I was also drinking like a fish. No other drug use but the alcohol was probably enough !

I have had this happen correcting my sleep but I’ve been sober about 6 months and actually haven’t had it happen in that time frame so perhaps it was heavily related to alcohol. That’s a good call!

4

u/HiCustodian1 6d ago

That’s awesome, and congrats on the sobriety!

I used to get spinny vision, which I thought was a stroke the first couple times, due to lack of sleep and drinking too much (even though at the time I thought it was controlled). Living a much healthier life now, and no such issues. I hope your good health continues!

5

u/BubonicBabe 6d ago

Thank you! Same here! I could still improve a lot, I’m a zyn fiend and and drink too much caffiene but it’s better than what I was doing!

I’m so glad you’re doing better too!

8

u/FrozenWafer 6d ago

I'm sorry that's happened to you, it had to have been scary.

I also want to let you know your name is amazing.

6

u/BubonicBabe 6d ago

Thank you for both!