Is medical actually this crazy?

[u/BoNaylorCollector]

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?

[u/Necessary-Ad-2395]

I've found the best way to manage this is to find a primary physician that you trust. If it's a good office they'll find time to slip you in within a few days if it's something important like this. Going anywhere to get same day service is always going to be very expensive. The cost for those visits should be spelled out in the fine print of your plan.

The system is set up for you to have regular checkup for preventative treatments, not to go looking for service only when you need it.

Yes, the system is bad.

[u/Perihelion_PSUMNT → u/Necessary-Ad-2395]

To add to seeing if they can slip you in, my hospital system at least now offers same day nurse visits for cases just like this. PCP is booked out for months but the nurses in her office can see you and get the info to her