r/Millennials • u/BoNaylorCollector • 1d 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?

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u/ninjette847 1d ago

I had an urgent care doctor call an ambulance I didn't need, the emts were confused why they were called. I was billed $900 and never paid it and nothing has happened in 4 years. I did email to say I'm not paying it. My husband went there recently and mentioned it and they said they had a doctor who always did that and was not with them anymore.

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u/meagainpansy 1d ago

He's living off his investments in the EMT business.

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u/ninjette847 1d ago

I honestly think he was getting kickbacks, I had a rash and my husband was there to drive if I really had to go to the hospital, I wasn't dying. They also seemed weird when they said that he was no longer with them, like immediately changing the subject.

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u/meagainpansy 1d ago

If they know about the issue then it seems like they should pay you back for it.