American reacts to U.S. vs Australian Healthcare cost

[@Birdlover26withBacon]

Aussie here. In one of my medical trips I had to go see the GP to get referred to a specialist clinic. I also had to get blood tests done, another check up AND and MRI. Including the specialist appointments I paid $15, and that was for my lunch. All completely free. America is insane

[@kengel100]

If you ask they usually bring some free sandwiches 😂

[@donnastapleton7812]

Same I didn’t pay anything for specialist appointment stay in hospital and gallbladder removal

[@peterdubois65]

@@kengel100 lol had those sandwiches three to four times a day whenever the nurse brought me a cuppa tea

[@MrThomas864]

Guys n gals I took my brother to hospital twice in the last 2 months and both time the hospital not only brought him but ME TOO free sandwiches (Edit) my brother never paid even 1c to be seen or spend over 5 weeks there

[@omegadivingacademy7937]

Most of these people did not really have any idea of prices. If you are in any town other than the big centers you can line up the people who are totally crazy with the Aussie med system. The thing is most of Aussie is not inhabited. Population 26 million a lot easier to manage plus no one talks about the Aussie taxes compared to the average US persons tax. Finally ever try to get into Australia they even have medicals you have to meet or no allowance into the country. Could you imagine doing that in the USA. The social system in the UK is almost bunkrupt because of the open door policy. Australia is a huge place but litely populated .Texas is 30 million . it is like comparing the Titanic to a row boat. A better comparison would be Australia to Singapore

[@fontainemullins5620]

I had a tumour removed from my parotid gland 10 days ago. For the calm-me-down injections they gave me before going under, the anesthesia, the 3 hour operation, the 4 meals, day and night stay, plus snacks whenever I wanted - cost the grand total of $0. Such amazing doctors, surgeons and nurses. We are so lucky.

[@anserbauer309]

Last year, I went to my local hospital for an infection that was potentially fatal. I had MRI, X-ray and ultrasound. Was airlifted to city hospital (2 hours away) and had gastroscopy and barium radioactive CT scan and spent a week in ICU with IV morphine, antibiotics and steroids. Got a cab voucher to the train station on release. Train cost $34 to get home. Paid another $25 for a month of meds. Followed up with weekly Drs appointments for a month, podiatrist appointments and chronic disease management plan because of infection. $59 sounds like a bargain to me.

[@amyhudson1016]

As it should be. Wishing you a speedy recovery

[@findmeintime]

my taxes probably paid for it; you're welcome

[@amyhudson1016]

@@findmeintime you assume she hasn’t paid taxes and Medicare levy also?

[@pascalswager9100]

I've had 2 aortic replacements, first was 9 hours, second was 14 hours and it cost Me nothing.

[@annejohnson491]

Hi from Bundaberg Australia. I just thank God I live in Australia. My mother had a triple bypas when she was 55. By the time she died 18 years later, she had 14 stents in her heart, bowel cancer was removed straight away at 65. After spending more money on lunch and parking, my mum lived the last moments of her life in my arms. Australia gave me my mother for 3 years travelling around Australia and 15 years together, which is what Australian health care did for me.

[@lashinka2574]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mum, but I'm very pleased to hear that you got those extra years together. You can't put a price on time we have together in this life, and thank god in Australia we don't have to! ❤❤❤

[@stubertg5241]

I work in health and studied different systems at uni. IIRC the United States spends double per capita what we do and we still have significantly better outcomes across the board. So much so we were forbidden for using the US health system for an assignment to compare different systems to because it was just too easy to blow holes in it.

[@eala9800]

Most Australians don't know how much a day in an Aussie hospital costs because we don't actually pay for it. By that I mean we don't usually see a bill, so unless you saw an invoice it can be hard to guess how much a day in hospital costs 😀

[@annaduffield8964]

Absolutely I’ve had hospital stays and they were all free. My brother had his appendix removed didn’t cost him. So many mothers I know don’t pay for the hospital care when having a baby besides which every mother receives an allowance for every child they have In essence we are paid to have children… we don’t pay to have them. My brother and his wife had initially planned to move back to Australia after they got married to have their kids here for that very reason.

[@kerryticehurst5046]

We do pay through our Medicare Levi unless you are on centrelink. Paying it forward is money well spent you never know when you might need it.

[@julzhunt7790]

Exactly

[@RyanLye1975]

Even if .. you have ALL the money in the world, American health care is NOWHERE NEAR the best health care in the world. Very ordinary in fact.

[@BeowulfNode]

Agreed. I broke my foot and received for free: ambulance ride to the hospital, 2~3 x-rays and a CT scan, quality pain killers, a plaster cast, and a pair of crutches on my first hospital stay, which was just overnight. Then a couple of check ups before surgery, which took their team about 6 hours, and 23 more x-rays during the surgery so they could see they had pinned the alignment of bones right before put in the plate and all the screws. After which I woke up with O2 nose tubes, and a button operated IV morphine attached. The hospital stay after surgery was 4 nights until they could find the right mix of oral pain killers that were not morphine. Then I had regular check-ups in the hospital to have them cut off the old cast, clean the surgery wound, and re-apply the cast. During that process they gave me a cam walker boot (aka moon boot). Then a few more check ups. Each of the checkups also included an extra x-ray to check on the progress before they sent me off to physio-therapy to re-introduce me to walking again. I don't remember how many physio sessions there were, but I'm guessing at least 6. The only time I paid for anything was for car parking at the hospital, and pain killers I used when out of hospital, totaling probably a few hundred $ AU, of which the hospital parking made up a significant percentage.

[@theimperfectscrapper5313]

So, over the past 12 months I've had cancer. I've had PET scans, MRIs, CT scans, multiple biopsy, 4 surgeries, 4 months of IV chemo, 6 months of oral chemo. The whole thing has cost me around $500 mainly for the "take home" meds. Everything else has been free.

[@evaadams8298]

Same here.. I had Stage 4 metastasised Ovarian Cancer, an operation called a Peritonectomy took 10 hours, spent 7 weeks in Hospital, 6 months of chemo and cost me nothing.....

[@kevin_g1164]

I have brain cancer and the same thing for me. In fact less than a week ago they were removing the cancer in a 3 hour operation. Find it amazing I am here at home on the internet just like normal. Total cost AUD $0. I have had so many head MRIs now I call it the jack-hammer machine! And they still say do I want head phones!!!!

[@theimperfectscrapper5313]

@@evaadams8298 I’m so happy you got good care from your medical team, but I truly wish we could wave a magic wand and have cancer removed from this world. Your journey has been a tough one. Sending lots of love your way!

[@theimperfectscrapper5313]

@@kevin_g1164 so great to hear you are recovering at home from your surgery. As I mentioned in the post above, I wish we had a magic wand to rid the world of cancer forever! Sending lots of love for your rest, recuperation and recovery!

[@Redwarfa]

Me too

[@judymclean6677]

My husband was peeing blood, went to emergency, found out he had kidney cancer the same day, fast forward one month, he had his kidney removed, keyhole surgery….7 days in hospital, that was 10 years ago. He’s fit and healthy and it costs us $0🥰 Love me some Australia ❤️

[@GeTtHeDoG1883]

How did they get the kidney out?

[@judithhogan453]

@@GeTtHeDoG1883they cut it out

[@judithhogan453]

Your husband was lucky. Mine had one kidney out, not keyhole. Was good for 10 years then it was found in the good kidney. That was removed and he had dialysis after. Unfortunately he passed a few months later. Please make sure checkups are done on the good kidney regularly and don’t let the doctors say it’s not necessary

[@judymclean6677]

@@judithhogan453 oh that’s awful. I’m sorry for your loss❤️. Yes he goes for regular check up…now I’m going tell him to book an interim appointment. Don’t want yo take any chances😬

[@NeilBlanco]

Hey Ryan. I live in Sydney and I don't have private health care. Just recently I was having pains in my neck. I went to my GP and she suggested I get an MRI scan to make sure I didn't have any problems with my discs. I went to get the MRI and then back to the GP with the results. She looked at the MRI and said I had some arthritis and calcium build ups on my bones which is probably what was causing the pain. She suggested going to physiotherapy which I got 5 free visits on Medicare. She said she also saw something in my scan that looked a bit strange. It looked like I had a growth in my nasal cavity and she suggested I go to an ENT specialist. I went to the specialist and got a camera put up my nose. They said that there was a growth in my adenoidal tissue and it looked a bit suspicious and I should get a biopsy and a CAT scan just in case. They said that the growth was so far up my nose that I would need to go under for them to get the biopsy. I got booked in for day surgery about 2 weeks later because it wasn't really urgent. Went in at 8:30am and got the surgery and was out by 11:30am. I was given follow up medication for free from the hospital. Had a follow up with the ENT specialist about a week later to discuss the results of the biopsy. Luckily all was clear. OK, I know this was a long story but the point of it is that I don't have private health care and did this all on Medicare. The GP, specialist, hospital stay and surgey, physio, follow up appointments all cost me $0 out of pocket. The only thing I paid for was the Uber to and from the hospital...

[@PeterJohnson76]

You were verry lucky. My Dad has major neck and spine issues, and his operations are around $15,000 to $20,000 each... Private health covers some of this.

[@sandradoran1586]

Exactly 💯

[@colinpryor6590]

In Australia we have "free health care" but everyone helps pay for it through our taxes which I'm very grateful for because not everyone are financially well off and it would be a terrible place to live if your financial situation determined if you live or die.

[@DiDiana55]

Yes, Thankyou for mentioning that because I paid my Medicare tax and never needed it, only once I did need it to be free and I didn’t qualify anymore😔I had to pay because I wasn’t working and wasn’t paying tax🤷🏻‍♀️

[@colinpryor6590]

@@DiDiana55 that's very strange that you had to pay for it because once you have a Medicare card you have it for life. I've got to pay extra than the normal amount of Medicare levy because I earn over the threshold and don't have private health insurance. But in the end it still works out cheaper for me than having private health insurance and I think our public health system is one of the best in the world.

[@dusk1234567890]

It’s not free healthcare. I pay money when going to gp. I get some ba k but not every gp bulk bills.

[@davtra]

@@dusk1234567890 Medicare can't keep up with current costs so GPs choose to charge. Some GPs will provide "free" (paid by taxpayers) if you're income disadvantaged.

[@josma5218]

@@DiDiana55 that’s rubbish. Not working or paying tax has nothing to do with it.

[@chriskelly9476]

My American cousin and my friend (here in Australia) both had knee reconstruction surgery in the same year. My cousin already pays thousands for health insurance and he still paid more than 10k USD for the surgery. My friend paid just over $100 AUD for his surgery which included his post-surgery meds, hospital parking for his wife and the BBQ ribs she smuggled in for his dinner 😆

[@mgreen1206]

Yeah I’m a nurse and I can tell you we are so lucky.. I’ve worked for over 25 yrs in ED and mental health units and last yr spent most of it as a patient as have life threatening illness and I paid nothing..in fact as I live in rural area and had to go to westmead hosp as an out patient they put me up in hotel on grounds for free..then paid for my transport home.. all I kept thinking was if I was in US I would be dead as I would not have let my family go into hundreds and thousands of debt

[@Cassxowary]

The ribs part is messed up but otherwise nice 😝 and yahh 😕 it’s all capitalism no health or care

[@kerrydoutch5104]

A friend of mine had a difficult pregnancy spent a couple of weeks residential in the hospital pre birth. Constant care and supervision as it was a high risk pregnancy. Shared room with 1 other person.. Intensive care for baby for a week. My friend was American and was terrified of the cost but she had Permanent Residency so was eligible for Medicare. The whole thing cost her nothing.EDIT - Plus I cut my hand really badly had multiple stitches at A&E then follow up checks on the wound. After removal of stitches found I'd severed the tendon in my thumb. Was called back for overnight stay and microsurgery next morning to repair tendon. Had a half caste for eight weeks plus physiotherapy to regain proper movement in my thumb. Cost? Again .... nothing. Just my time. If I keep thinking I can name many examples from friends and family where hospital treatment and care has cost nothing. America's nuts.

[@MrThomas864]

It's literally not a first world country, and U see Soo often ppl from there calling it "the greatest country in the world) the delusion is scary

[@Crosleyq]

This is confusing as for most Australians these costs are covered by Medicare - the question of what it would be if you were uninsured is an odd one as many aren't uninsured and private is usually for private hospital or for things otherwise not covered by Medicare like a private room in hospital.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

I've been to Hospital 3 times via Ambulance in the past few years, ambulance, MRI, CT scan, X-rays, Ultrasound, 3 top specialists, 5 days stay, physiotherapy, meds, etc cost $0.00!! Every vote counts! 😏👍

[@krpurple2678]

The cost of parking is huge in some hospitals! Lol

[@scotty5166]

ambulance is 1000 a ride depending on where live in Australia, some cities cover it in other fees, some do not.

[@judithhogan453]

In south Australia I have to pay for ambulance cover, under $100 per year.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

@@judithhogan453 It really isn't a big burden at that price, we are so lucky we dont live in America! 🤗👍

[@bluegittins.]

I recently went into icu, died a little and had intensive scans, daily blood tests for like 2 months, now im in rehab hospital with every day physio. I have spent exactly no money. Australia is awesome.

[@deedee2172]

How do u die a lil😢😂

[@bluegittins.]

@@deedee2172 oh, you die, it just doesn't stick.

[@antheabrouwer3258]

A day in the hospital in Australia under Medicare is free..I was examined by a doctor, looked after by nurses, and had a MRI. No cost. Childbirth is free under Medicare.

[@janedwards6726]

Yeah, my son was free ( until I took him home 😁)

[@MrThomas864]

@@janedwards6726 lol

[@RandomStuff-he7lu]

Spent the day in hospital. Got a cast. Got an MRI. Had surgery. Spent a few days in hospital. Got a Pulmonary Embolism so that was a CT. In and out for months being treated. $0 out of pocket.

[@DanDownunda8888]

Just a minor technical point, Medicare doesn't pay for anything in a public hospital, if you're a public patient, your State Government does. Nothing that happens in a public hospital to a public patient goes on your Medicare records, because they never hear about it.

[@janedwards6726]

@@DanDownunda8888 good point. Of course most, if not all, those state funds come from the federal government, and my understanding is this comes from the medicare pool. Am I wrong?

[@dragon13304]

I had a collapsed lung a few years ago. I stayed in Hospital for 8 days with a drainage tube and eventually had Pleurodesis surgery which would have cost me well over 20K in US dollars but it was all Free! Thanks to the Australian Medicare system.

[@bradbrisbane]

I'm confused by the Aussie comparison. My brother just spent 12 weeks in hospital with several MRIs and weeks in ICU and cost nothing for him. Cost us heaps to park at the car park to visit though.

[@angelavinen2881]

That comparison is for those who don't qualify for Medicare like tourists and international students.

[@kerrynicholls6683]

See they don’t see that using their tax’s for the good of everyone, as a good idea. They call it Communism and socialism, both of which they have no idea about. But I guess they are going with the devils they know, instead of trying something else, and finding out if it’s better or worse. The devil you know is apparently better then the devil you don’t. Except in this case, they are wrong, and it would benefit everyone, which they also don’t want. It’s inhumane, and goes against their own religious beliefs. But they are a bunch of hypocrites in power. While the people who vote for them are idiots and are ignorant. So this is what they end up with. The overlords of the Republican Party want the rich to be richer and the poor well, who cares, they can all die. Sorry, this is my take away from watching American politics. Love ❤️ from Q.L.D Australia 🇦🇺

[@illawarriorhill70]

They were quoting prices for those NOT covered by Aussie medicare

[@judyhanson2682]

Our system is weird. If you don't have health insurance all hospital expenses for everything is absolutely free. The reason for pri ate health insurance here in Australia is you can then choose which hospital you want to go to. You can choose a private hospital instead of a government hospital. Cheers Ryan

[@louise7552]

And private health insurance is for cosmetic surgery as well.

[@t2force212]

Also Private insurance let's you jump the wait times on certain check ups and surgeries

[@indigocheetah4172]

I have worked for the Private and Public Hospitals . I prefer working in the Public Hospitals , as an RN. The staff ratio to Patients in the Public Hospitals is better.

[@Dr_KAP]

Many patients with private insurance still go to public hospitals as a private patient- this allows them to choose their doctor and if they’re lucky they may get a better room. Private insurance is not just hospital, it covers the cost of ambulance in many states and also things like dental, physio, prescriptions above PBS price etc

[@indigocheetah4172]

@@Dr_KAP, the private patients in a Public Hospital also add funds towards the running of the Hospital.

[@garybennett7835]

I’m Australian I had to have a kidney stone removed and I wasn’t in a health fund which means you have to wait a bit longer without the doctor of your choice.Any way I had it removed by a doctor in a hospital for free 🎉. No drama and no massive bill !

[@indigocheetah4172]

Hello Ryan , as an RN. I have worked in the Public Hospitals ,here and in the UK. The difference between the Private and Public Hospitals , is you pay for everything and have your own Doctor. The same Nurses work in both Public and Private Hospitals. Our care in Australia is exceptional. With private medical insurance it has hidden costs as there is a gap depending on your health cover. We are indeed fortunate in Australia . PS; please post Dame Edna .

[@annmillar1481]

Well I wish you would tell the average patient who uses our public hospitals that. Some australians seem to have this sense of entitlement.. that means instant attention when they call on the buzzer. It doesnt matter that our nurses are working in conditions worse than they were 3 years ago. Most of the problem is lack of staff, but a lot of patients out there dont care.. their attitude is,, your getting paid so attend to me immediately,

[@alexandradosado3084]

Australian here, a year ago i was in hospital for 10 days and i never had to pay for anything, the same when i had my son, i never paid for anything.

[@hazelem1266]

I had a total knee replacement in a public hospital in Melbourne. Incidentally the very hospital I work in as a nurse and I knew all the doctors and theatre staff. I also knew the type of and quality of the equipment. Total cost was $16 for my discharge medication. I was offered a bath chair and whatever aid I thought I would need, free for a month. A nurse and physiotherapist came 2-3 times a week to my home. Every single post op visit was free. I am also an immigrant, living and working in Australia for 20 years. Love my new country.

[@helengazzara8725]

The Alfred?

[@hazelem1266]

@@helengazzara8725 Frankston public hospital. I had the best experience for this major surgery. And my knee, nearly 8 years later, is still going strong with us hiking and walking. We also did the Camino de Santiago 18 months post op, walking 20 km a day.

[@waynedieckmann9840]

I'm Australian, love your content. It's like watching a toddler learning to walk. Doing some research I figure the state has spent over a million dollars on medical needs just keeping me in the workforce.

[@ethkuliyan4536]

Our. Hospital emergency is struggling in Australia . I recently seen a 9yr old boy waiting with a broken arm with bone protruding through the skin . He waited 9hrs to be seen by a doctor . My mum went in an ambulance for suspected stroke and was seen 14hrs later on private health insurance cover . We have a crisis as far as a shortage of doctors

[@Crispin90]

I spent a week in Brisbane’s largest public hospital prior to Christmas. I had a myriad of tests and finally left with an implant. I now have remote medical monitoring and indefinite ongoing follow up specialist visits. All of this has been and will continue to be free.

[@kevin_g1164]

Last year in the RAH I was fitted with a pacemaker that includes daily remote monitoring. Total cost; operation, pacemaker, hospital stay and remote monitoring has been AUD $0. My wife paid much more to park the car.

[@annieparker3107]

Queensland has the best health care in Australia.

[@luciebatt]

I saw my neurologist today for a new script for the next medication to try for my migraines. I popped into his room for five minutes while he explained it and grabbed the script, got told to make an actual appointment for two months time to follow up. I wasn’t charged. My neurologist rocks :). The med also only cost $6.40.

[@majorlaff8682]

Go to a Terry White chemist if you're a senior. He knocks off another $1. A senior would only pay $5.40.

[@PeterJohnson76]

This doesn't sound right. I have several people in my family with completely messed up backs spines and necks, etc. The consultation fees Start at $300. Are you actually seeing a neurosurgeon ? and if so, who?

[@luciebatt]

I didn’t say I was seeing a neurosurgeon, I see a neurologist. He charges $180 for a regular visit but as I was just picking up a script, he didn’t in that instance.

[@trig1900]

A hospital stay in Australia varies in price depending on whether you are a public or private patient and what in area you are being cared for. For example, a stay in an ICU [intensive care unit] at a privately funded hospital will be about $3,000 - that's for the bed and care, which is what the private hospital will charge the government if you are admitted as a public patient. If you are a private patient, the treatment will be the same but your health fund [or you] will be charged the $3000 and then it goes up from there depending on what else is done and then supplied.

[@davidaranda2528]

My dad had severe stomach pain and was rushed to the local public hospital. They took him in straight away, did some tests and found out he had appendicitis. They operated on him within hours and the spent 4-5 days in recovery afterwards. It cost a grand total of $0. I love the Medicare system here in Australia - it’s not perfect but it’s sure beats what you guys have in the US.

[@findmeintime]

the reason all the price guesses are all over the place are because it depends how you got there, did you go to hospital via emergency, do you have private health cover, was it elective surgery, do you need an aneathetist etc. There are just too many variables.

[@sheryljones5581]

I am aussie and had 2 babies 38 and 36 years ago and had no insurance. My first baby was born in a small town hospital and had problems and was flown by helicopter to a hospital in a city and spent 2 weeks in neonatal care. The whole thing was free. My second baby I was in hospital for 2 weeks before giving birth and again the whole thing was free.

[@findmeintime]

very fortunate Shezza

[@DiDiana55]

Yes very fortunate, in Victoria I had to pay $3000 just for the Ambulance PLUS everything they did at hospital, seems one rule for some, not for others

[@garymannion7357]

@@DiDiana55 If you take out ambulance membership, about $100 a year your ambulance would have been free.

[@garymannion7357]

By the way I am in Victoria and have had several ambulance trips, membership is essential

[@DiDiana55]

@@garymannion7357 I didn’t know about any membership! I understand now, Thanks

[@rosemarytaylor3016]

Currently 10:23pm and in hospital E.D short stay waiting for the results of my 10 year old son's ct scan from falling head first into the ground from the trampoline. Ambo trip and free sandwiches, haha. He is asleep right now, and i was just legit thinking, how would i afford this if i was elsewhere and saw this as soon as i got on youtube. I'm so grateful for our health care.

[@jf0710]

your doing something right in the US. That big white Dementia Care Facility in the middle of Washington is first class

[@paulwhillas6494]

As an Aussie. I haven't paid private health care since I was about 35. We do pay a levy on our income of about 2% which is negligible.. in the last 20 years I have had a triple by pass and heart valve replacement plus a pace maker fitted, 9 weeks in hospital, ambulances from local hospital to airport, then air ambulance to capital city. Same for return Multiple visits to specialists, xrays, scans, colonoscopy, cardioversion. The only out of pocket expenses have been around $70 for visits to a cardio specialist once a year. Otherwise everything totally free. Visits to GP free. Scans, xrays, etc. free. Limit on prescription medicines of about $600 a year, then completely free. Subsidised transport from rural areas to cities. This applies to us, especially, as age pensioners on a health care plan, but we haven't had to pay any medical/ hospital expenses for over 25 years, even when I was working.

[@PeterJohnson76]

Your very lucky, People I know (Pensions, and like you without private health care) are paying $800 to $2000 for an ambulance, plus $2000 per day in hospital, Plus the cost of the operations.

[@The_Calm_Chaos]

My father spent 3 weeks in hospital, including ambulance, MRIs, 13 hour extensive brain surgery etc etc and it cost him $15 for the medication he was given when he was discharged.

[@mickgrealy]

You don't need insurance in Aus, it is free almost everything is free, if you buy insurance you get the best of the best and you get quicker and friendlier treatment but note you do not get inferior treatment you just pay to skip the que and for service basically

[@Dr_KAP]

It is good for dental, physio etc especially if your kids all get braces!!

[@matshjalmarsson3008]

Sweden, around $20 per visit, no matter if its a checkup, an X-ray, or a CT scan. Meds are usually payed by the employer. And there's a cap on costs, so if it runs up to around $150 over a year you don't pay anything more

[@Boschy_Space]

Hey Ryan we had three kids and had not paid a cent. One baby arrived in 10 minutes and a couple of days rest. However, a family member had Private health and paid $1500 for a private room and delivery. We had a shared room and free. 🤣🤣

[@heatherwardell2501]

I don't have insurance and it cost me nothing 3 times I had a baby

[@KJxxoo]

I had a baby 4 weeks ago, paid nothing and still got an amazing private room which was huge and set up like a mini apartment complete with kitchenette, couches, spare bed and bathroom for guest / partner, and private courtyard. It was our amazing little rural hospital in Loxton SA. It was the best hospital experience I’d ever had!

[@rogerramjet6429]

Everybody that I know that has medical insurance, and gone to hospital for even a simple operation or worse, has gone home with expensive bills. A woman I knew had sinus surgery and came home with a $900 bill for meds. I had previously been prescribed the same meds (painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antibiotics) and my cost was $43. The insurance companies in Australia are doing exactly the same thing as what is going on in America. It's pure greed with no oversight nor control of price gouging.

[@tdhharris]

It’s not always as advertised. I don’t remember the last time I saw a GP and didn’t have to pay around $100. Unfortunately many doctors are just charging way above the Medicare rebate so gap costs are getting out of control for non emergency surgeries. Medicare needs to be revamped to reflect current costs. But it’s still one of the best systems in the world.

[@AnnaAnnaTT]

For years my mother in law has gone for a walk every day - for at least 90 minutes every day She has always eaten healthy and kept her weight down and she has never smoked and never drunk alcohol. And as she was widowed twenty years ago and had no major health issues she decided she could not afford private health care. She did pay annually for the possibility of ever needing an ambulance after she reached 85 because she had heard horror stories from friends re the cost of those as her 'just in case' strategy. Which turned out to be a good choice. In some states this strategy would not be needed re an ambulance but in her state she needed to pay that once a year a very reasonable amount. But after her 91st birthday she did get sick. She had multiple pathology tests, some procedures/ testing during her stay in hospital to see extent of damage after a stroke. Wonderful doctors in the hospital. She has always had capacity to pass every capacity test - even amazing the doctor 24 hours after her stroke as she 100% passed the capacity test the doctor gave her. Time in hospital and two ambulances (those trips covered due to her paying that annual 'just in case' strategy.) Plus she needed various medications to take home. Then a few months later - another ambulance to hospital as she broke her hip - more procedures and then an operation to address the broken hip. Then additional physiotherapy in home visits by a physiotherapist - first 5 home visits arranged by hospital were free. I paid for some additional physiotherapy as I could see how much benefit was happening due to the physiotherapist helping my mother in law. Total Cost for all these medical expenses incurred during one year by my mother in law in Australia who is now 95 and who still chooses to have no health insurance as she is still firm that she cannot afford it, (except she still pays the once a year ambulance subscription). .. . . . . . . . drum roll . . . = total cost for all that medical help/operation/ hospital stay / procedures etc during one year as detailed above was ZERO dollars payable by my mother in law. I think the Australian medical system is awesome.

[@Mechanic.Pete41]

I broke my arm on Fraser island few years ago, was a rather nasty break and had suspected spinal damage, I was airlifted off Fraser island to Maryborough where the flying doctors where waiting and they flew me to brisbane, then I got an ambo to the hospital, seen to about the arm, scans and so forth for the spine ( thankfully just bruising), spent 4 days in hospitsl and all up from the moment the chopper picked me up off the beach to me walking out the hospital door it cost me $1,009 ( $1,000 I donated to the flying doctors and $9 for a midnight vending machine sesh 🤣 )

[@ThenISaid]

Thankfully the only time I've needed a hospital was when I had my son. 5 GP visits. 5 prenatal hospital visits. 3 ultrasounds. 3 blood tests, and a glucose test. A birthing class. 24 hrs in hospital. We had a household income of around $200,000. We paid $0

[@aileenbell2248]

Geez this time last year I had 2 fractures in my pelvis.. I had to get a ambulance to hospital and had all sorts of tests and X-rays.. after 10 days I got sent to a rehab hospital and I stayed there for 11 weeks. The only thing I paid for is my ambulance subscription yearly and nothing else. I was so well looked after and I had a new appreciation for the people at the hospitals and the Aussie way of life. 🇦🇺

[@jillymck51]

Aussie here. I had 4 babies, 3 surgeries, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. I also have rapid AF and needed multiple cardioversions. Total bill was $0.00 So glad I was born True Blue Aussie !!!!!

[@FranticMonster11]

This is the exact reason i took 4 inhalers with me when I went to America lol They are like 9 dollars here!

[@majorlaff8682]

I only pay $5.40 for mine at a Terry White chemist.

[@rogerramjet6429]

Yeah I'm not sure where these people got $50 from. I don't even have asthma, but went to a chemist to get one for a friend a few months ago, and paid $12.50 with no prescription.

[@ftxaviation]

Well, Medicare is basically free here in Australia so its pretty nice. Well the money does come out of taxes but yea.

[@terryjackson8773]

So... over the weekend I went to the ER here in Adelaide (South Australia) for a possible deep vein thrombosis after a plasma donation. Initially I had had a phone consult with the Lifeblood donation doctor via phone. She recommended I see a doctor in person. The following day I had an appointment to see him. He sent me to the ER for a scan and wrote me a referral and a prescription for blood thinners if I needed them. I was in the ER for about 8 hours, saw a couple of different doctors but unfortunately they couldn't scan me that night so I went back the next morning. I had the scans and luckily no major clots were found. I may possibly have had a superficial one that resolved itself. The hospital took blood and I went home. I will go and see the doctor this week for blood results. So... the total cost to me is $20 because I saw the face to face doctor out of hours, so there was a slight surcharge. No charge for ER, no charge for the ultrasound scan, no charge for phone consult. Seriously, I'd hate to live in America and have any kind of health issue. Oh, and my inhalers cost $6.50 for two. Also, a stay in hospital, because I'm an 'older' Australian (64) and have a seniors card, it would cost me $0.00 to stay in hospital.

[@geetee4459]

I was like Ryan Was (geddit? lol) back in the day. "I'm young, who needs insurance". Last few years I spent two or three months in hospital, two major operations, a ton of drugs and scans and tests and pre-hab, re-hab & other specialist advice. Cost me $0.00...

[@scottysencounters]

Medicare is excellent but has its flaws. Like some GPs (doctors) here won’t bulk bill because of rising costs and the medicare hasn’t adjusted to inflation etc.

[@dalesmith4985]

Yes, I'm on a disability pension and may soon have to pay $135 to see a doctor when bulk billing stops and medicare doesn't cover anywhere near enough. my rent is constantly rising along with a cost of living crises, I might be homeless soon and have to put off going to the doctor even though I have important medication I need to keep up scipts for a few health problems.

[@ChuckyMcNubbin72]

Oh, and and Australian woman who was pregnant, went into labour in the US while she and her family were on holiday there and she was billed $56,000. She had travel insurance too but that was denied.

[@pascalswager9100]

We have a super cool thing here called a safety net, which means if You hit a certain amount on the cost of meds in that year, You get meds for free for the rest of the year 😁

[@BradGryphonn]

6:35 Your description of insured V uninsured in healthcare in the US is exactly how insured v uninsured works if you bend a fender in your car in Australia. Companies milk the insurers. It's a bit confronting when your healthcare system works like the panel-beating industry.

[@crazymusicchick]

The cost to have my baby in a public hospital in Australia was the $1.50 an hour for my husbands parking during visiting hours, but everything else nothing and I got my own room as it was a new hospital n most decided to build private rooms for maternity wards , I also got timtams n Milo for morning tea free won't get that in the us lol

[@vk4kws]

I had plane flights to Brisbane cancer surgery 4 days in hospital return flights back home. 6 weeks of radiation at my local hospital. Total cost to me was 2 $50 taxi rides from the Brisbane airport to the hospital. Even my parking fees at Rockhampton airport was covered by medicare. No cost to my private health insurance. Not to mention PET Scan multi cat scans every 6 moths for 5 years after the radiation treatment.

[@CdrmnkNathan]

In Australia, public hospital with a normal room where you could be sharing with another person is usually free and covered under medicare, private room will have a gap that if you have private health insurance will cover most or all of that. and a private room in a private hospital is almost guaranteed some gap regardless of private health insurance. The amount of gap depends on the hospital and your level of private health insurance.

[@MEA5755]

You can also get a private/single room in a public hospital here in Australia as a public patient, but it is usually available to patients with a particular medical need, generally needing to be monitored more closely by nursing staff.

[@klaudiadunk7483]

I live in rural Australia. I had some pregnancy complications that included me needing to spend a few nights in hospital for observation, an emergency caesarean, a helicopter ride for my premature baby, a jet for me to join him 2 days later, 8 more days in hospital for me, 6 weeks for him in NICU, a contrast scan for him in a different hospital (with ambulance transfers), and another flight home (together). Not even counting all the different scans and tests that happened in the main NICU. None of that cost me anything. I did have multiple doctor appointments and scans that weren't bulk-billed, as there aren't any local bulk-billing providers. Total cost of those would have been less than $2000, spread over about 5 months. It was also a few thousand for somewhere to stay for the month, but the Isolated Patients Travel Allowance and Accommodation Scheme reimburses some of that cost.

[@dianen8962]

Ryan, you have to move for you and your families future happiness. Be brave and make the first step.

[@I_Evo]

Worth adding the prices quoted are mostly in Australian dollars, the current exhange rate is around 1 AUD = 0.7 USD.

[@joandsarah77]

It all depends. Childbirth can range from 0 to 14 thousand here. But as a public patient at a public hospital its free. Pretty sure we paid nothing even for my C sections.

[@1toshi32]

If I lived in America, I would be dead. I need 2 inhalers a month if not more. I would not be able to afford those prices. I remember seeing a special a few years ago made by Michael Moore (think that's how you spell his name). Anyhow, he took a bunch of people on a boat and took them to Cuba. They have amazing health care and their inhalers only cost them $20 or less where it cost them around $120. This is going back probably about 10 years ago so a bit cheaper. So what you're saying basically is if you don't have the money to pay for health insurance, you would have to mortgage your house to pay for your medical bills. I am never living or even GOING to America. Their life expectancy is definitely lower because of cost. Just as I don't go to the dentist unless I have to because of how expensive it is.

[@vickispong1371]

The cost of an MRI in Oz really depends on where you go and what part of your body needs to be xrayed. I had an MRI last week, and it cost me $255. Had a heart attack last year, with a 6 day hospital stay cost me nothing. Also had 4 kids never had to pay a cent. Not sure if it costs anything now. All these things were in a public hospital.

[@2young2rocknroll]

I had an MRI done as an outpatient at a public hospital, and it was free.

[@optimusmaximus9646]

In the US, the cost of a CT scan cost will typically range from $500 to $3,000, and an MRI scan cost is approximately $1,200 to $4,000. Let's just say for arguments sake the average cost for an MRI and CT scan is $1500. Now, there are about 40 million MRI scans and 80 million CT scans performed annually in the United States, So at $1500 a pop, that amounts to 180 billion dollars a year, or 500 million dollars a day. Whether the cost of a scan comes out of a person's pocket, is picked up by their insurance company, or covered by Medicaid schemes, this represents a huge amount of money that hospitals and clinics round the country charge for these services. The problem is because of the litigious nature of American society, almost everyone who’s admitted to a hospital is given a CT and/or MRI scan instead of a proper hands on physical assessment. To protect themselves, doctors often order tests and procedures that aren’t medically necessary, pushing up the cost of every hospital visit. The real perverse upshot of this is that when the bill is higher for hospital admissions, the overseeing doctor is less likely to be sued. Given multiple CT scans protects them from being sued, but their patients receive unnecessary doses of radiation and end up paying more for their visit to the GP or stay in hospital.

[@Adelaide2286]

Australian Public Hospital inpatient care for the uninsured is free.

[@PiersDJackson]

Ryan what's not mentioned is "in network" coverage, you may go to a Hospital covered by Insurance company B, but the ER doctor or Anaesthetist is not covered, or the clinic, so maybe 34 months later you get the invoice.

[@waynedieckmann9840]

My pregnant missus had a complication on holiday. They gave me the bed next to her and pushed them together for 3 days. Also a friendly script for daizapam. No charge.

[@SxVaNm345]

As they should.

[@robynjefferson4779]

Get off the diazepam. It will kill you.

[@robynjefferson4779]

Mainly elderly people need health insurance.

[@robynjefferson4779]

We do have private insurance for expensive items.

[@waynedieckmann9840]

@@robynjefferson4779 why do old people need health insurance? They are going to die soon anyway. Sorry! Just a fact. Yes they should enjoy retirement and watch their grandchildren grow. But we all have a time to go.😢

[@janedwards6726]

Australian here. I broke my wrist nearly a year ago. Had to go to emergency. 2 x-rays and a CT scan there, and a temporary cast. Out patient a week later, new cast and x-ray. Out patient 8 weeks later, cast off, x-ray and a brace to take home. 2 physio consultations ( had a third I didn’t do because I was coughing so decided a free PCR was a better choice). Total cost for all of that was $0.

[@larainecurry4566]

My daughter has 2 Facebook friends who are American Doctors and they arepoaching Australian medical staff offering big money and paying for them to relocate. They offered my daughter a huge salary relocation paid and more training free, she asked why they didn't train people over there and they laughed at her . That is crazy why are they doing this why not use their own people and stop poaching from us, there is a much larger. Population over there.

[@paulphotios3920]

We Aussies poach all of medical staff from the UK. The UK poaches their medical staff from Africa. During my job a met a hole Airbnb full of young UK medical doctors in Prahran. Probably a dozen from all over the UK from Scotland to the jersey islands. Arrived the day before and chilling out prior to moving to their new contract jobs.

[@ChuckyMcNubbin72]

And people in Australia should be aware that the federal LNP, not Labour, want to privatise Medicare.

[@Puppydoug]

Nearly 2 years ago I suffered a nasty crush injury to my left hand which affected three fingers. I had and still have no private health insurance. Ambulance to Emergency, painkillers, 3 nights in hospital, surgery and anaesthetist, plus 12 months of regular follow-up rehab cost me (apart from a lot of pain, time and angst) $0. Since that little episode, I've not been quite as critical about the taxes/levies I pay. BTW, I've had a pretty good recovery.

[@briantayler1230]

G'day mate, the public (State-owned) hospitals do all the important work and are free. You can put yourself on a waiting list for elective surgery, or to see a specialist in the public hospital system. This is what private health insurance is for. For anything major or urgent the public system is of the highest standard and very fast and free. Pharmaceuticals and private doctors are government subsidized. A major difference with the US is that public hospitals are the top hospitals and private hospitals are for more minor procedures.

[@tiredworkingmum]

I had 2 babies via c-section. Was able to stay in a private hospital as a public patient. Medicare paid for everything and I paid nothing out of pocket. Medicare is amazing.

[@Lachlanjmcd]

I had a full knee reconstruction from a leading surgeon for athletes because my case looked interesting to him. It cost me nothing. Including hospital transfers, x-rays, Crutches, medication.

[@amyhudson1016]

Knees are painful. Wishing you a speedy recovery

[@Lachlanjmcd]

@@amyhudson1016 10 years ago now, it creaks a bit but otherwise fine thanks 👍

[@amyhudson1016]

@@Lachlanjmcd glad to hear it. I’ve had two knee ops and I’ve resigned myself to the fact they will never quite be the same again.

[@Lachlanjmcd]

@@amyhudson1016 Check out the 'knees over toes guy', it may be beneficial to you.

[@davidjames9625]

In 2001 I had my badly infected appendix removed and because of infection I spent 10 day in hospital, 5 of those days in the ICU. Then in 2003 I had my gaul bladder removed and spent 3 days in hospital. I am a working printer with no health cover and the total bill for all that care was zero. My deepest gratitude to the doctors and nurses who treated me.

[@michellepound848]

I have 2 daughters, one went to a public hospital and had her 3 children for free, the other daughter had her child in a private hospital and had private health insurance, yet she still had out of pocket expenses of about $2,500.

[@Jessie20032]

Thankful I had my kids in a public hospital for free all was great for me, certainly couldn’t afford private insurance that’s for sure!

[@louise7552]

I have private health insurance called extras ,it covers dental, eyes, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, physiotherapy, but NOT hospital, but it only costs me 26 dollars a fortnight.

[@bethdoublekickchick8007]

There's zero incentive for private health insurance

[@bethdoublekickchick8007]

@Susan McKenzie I'm aware of this yet it still holds no real incentive, to me anyway. As a 43 year old Aussie woman, I do understand how things work by now, cheers.

[@Shado_wolf]

I dunno where they got their figures for the cost of a day in hospital in Aus.... public it's free, private it's the cost of your gap (for most people that's $250-$500) for day surgery, which is literally a day in hospital!

[@Stefcs92]

My first MRI was $500! But the next two were free. And the cost to stay in hospital might vary from state to state but where I live the first two weeks is $476 per day and $331 each day that follows

[@carolynrobertson4657]

Only if it's a private hospital

[@rogerramjet6429]

That's the sort of debt that happens when insurance companies run the system then screw the patient. That crap now goes on in Australia, just like to has done in America for decades. In 2008 John Howard stated "anybody over the age of 30, will receive more penalties, the longer they take to purchase medical insurance". I'm now 54. Well surprise surprise, everyone I know with medical insurance, gets big bills after leaving hospital. I've never fallen for the BS, and never paid a cent for any of my 7 operations (now waiting for number 8), nor the stay nor meds sent home with me. Howard tried turning a perfectly functional health care system into a carbon copy of America's failed care, that serves those who have money. The insurance companies. AND those that pay for insurance, are STILL paying a Medicare levy, when it was stated that insurance would cancel that out.

[@Stefcs92]

@@carolynrobertson4657 nah that’s public- I have health insurance and it still cost me $500 out of pocket for a bed for day surgery in a private hospital

[@PeterJohnson76]

That might be your story, but I know people with injuries that became permanent when being placed on 9 month waiting lists... In essence, they completely screwed up their lives by saving a whopping $2000 a year in private health. Also, in response to your comment "AND those that pay for insurance, are STILL paying a Medicare levy, when it was stated that insurance would cancel that out." Yes, people pay the 2% levy with private health or Not and seeing a doctor has nothing to do with private health, but I think what you don't understand is we (people earning over $50k) don't pay an additional 1.5% Surcharge Level for each day we have hospital cover within a 365 day period..So the combination of up to a 30% gov rebate on premiums PLUS additional 1.5% Surcharge levy exemption, it's actually not the big cost people make it out to be. @@rogerramjet6429

[@ianmontgomery7534]

I'm booked in to get a skin cancer removed from ear on Thursday. It will be done at what is called "see and treat" which is not done in a full theatre. Won't cost me anything. I lived in China between 2004 and 2009 and had to visit hospitals twice. The major hospital cost me USD5 for outpatients and 10 for drugs. The small local hospital cost nothing and i found a doctor who spoke English and he had never actually seen a skin cancer before. I too have had an ecocardiogram and it cost nothing.

[@ThatJay283]

here in australia medicare is great but it doesn't cover dental or eyesight at all. this definitely causes issues when alot of australians don't have health insurance.

[@Mattb81]

Yes and even top level extras cover doesn’t cover much for dental & eyecare.

[@SerenitySoonish]

100% it's where we REALLY fall down. I need dental work really badly but it's just not possible for me to afford it.

[@BradGryphonn]

11:55 Nah, mate. It's free in the Public Hospital System. It might cost 5G in a private hospital here, but going to a hospital and having a child, with all the care you'd get, and more, in a private situation in a Public Hospital is free.

[@derekcraignolan]

It’s like comparing apples with oranges.

[@helenlecornu1651]

I was in a situation once where I was extremely ill and had to get transported by ambulance to my nearest doctors clinic, then transferred to a private room in hospital then transferred to a major hospital in my capital city which was far away, stayed on ward for a week with all sorts of drugs, treatment including MRI and CAT scan. I had private health insurance and the nurse at the first hospital when taking my details said not to tell anyone I had insurance, because the only difference in care would be a newspaper delivered everyday and I would have to pay out of pocket for the excess. When I was discharged it didn't cost me a thing and the kicker is that the ward I stayed in actually had a woman with high level health insurance (and unlike me, she was there as a private patient), but she still had to share a room because there were no available privates (but she got her free newspaper everyday).

[@madchad4805]

Where I live what private health insurance gets you is that you’re first in line and the hospital gets money from the health insurance company to buy new equipment for the hospital.

[@Ainzleeriddell]

I had my MRI on Medicare freeeeeee!

[@ImpishDelta]

I have epilepsy and I'm so thankful for the Australian system because it means I could easily afford all the visits with my specialist, the tests I get, and my meds; If I had to pay for all of it at a much higher cost or try to justify every single thing it'd be such a struggle, especially since I'm a comparatively mild case and a lot of my appointments and tests weren't necessarily required but still really helpful.

[@matthewbrown6163]

Aussie Health System allows any Aussie to get into a hospital. Public Health is pretty good & a 2 week stint in hospital cost me $0.00 then to hire the TV/$44.00t to hire TV & cable TV channels. I have private health care so was given the TV for free. I worked in USA & all those TV shows & movies that show an angry nurse with a clipboard is true - "so how are you going to pay" was the first question asked LOL.

[@cameronliddell9533]

if thats their first question then they shouldnt be in that profession. asll thats proves is that getting your money is more valuable than your life. thats the epitomy of greed putting money over human life

[@matthewbrown6163]

@@cameronliddell9533 Healthcare in the USA is all about money. It is a huge cash cow for investors & people suffer for it. Friend's husband was in the US Navy & before he left all kids were fitted for braces for free. This would have been $50K USD each child. Horrible that it is User Pays but a former PM introduced a $5 co payment to see a GP. But it was removed as our hodpitals were clogged for fools with a cut finger.

[@cameronliddell9533]

@@matthewbrown6163 holy shit i think we payed like 12-15k ofr braces for me and i had them for like 3 years and kept constantly chewing up the band that holds them on lol

[@matthewbrown6163]

@@cameronliddell9533 My Dentist as a kid had a new sports car every few year & she is still working part time at 75. I have had private healthcare since I was 16 so I am not worried but the USA's health system runs like a taxi meter

[@PeterJohnson76]

What hospital is this. My aunty (PHI) recently paid a little over $2000 a night to be in hospital....

[@Bellas1717]

Also recent Aussie emergency hospital visit. Waited three minutes for triage, then straight to acute care. Faultless doctor and nursing experience, precautionary ECG, Xray, multiple drips, painkillers, contrast dye CAT scan, overnight stay in individual room. The only hassle was a minute updating my Medicare card in the hospital records, because a name change had necessitated a new one. Cost $0.

[@fuzzylogic8573]

Bloke I feel for you that's harsh. My wife pays $7.50 for an inhaler over the counter

[@thatfelladownunder9396]

Lol every taxpayer in Australia pays a Medicare levy. I think it’s around $1200 a year. So health isn’t free in Australia. It’s just “socialised” . Meaning the community, as a whole, pays for the health system, as opposed to the user pays system in America. From my experience the biggest problem in the Australian health care system is over servicing from the providers. Because the patient “doesn’t pay” there’s 1001 ways to rort the system. I’ve called out providers more than once for over-servicing.

[@lesleyvass8739]

Hmmph! Well, so much for America, land of the free!

[@geraldblaney9764]

Majority of standard healthcare needs in australia are free if you go public.things such as asthma spray e.g. ventolin puffer are $6 to $7 depending on state that of course is with a script from a dr

[@jafrost1328]

this is so outdated. We keep giving Americans grief over their healthcare but we're very rapidly adopting exactly the same system

[@DaveWhoa]

no, we're not.

[@aishaabdullah6993]

Complete nonsense

[@Scooterboi60]

I had not for profit health insurance and cancelled it in 2016 because the gap was getting bigger and bigger every year for just the basics like optical and dental, and the premium was increasing by a greater percentage every year. So yeah, we are becoming more like the US. And that’s because the Coalition is voted in and remains in power for a decade before we boot them out. They are the ones who are fiscally irresponsible, feeding themselves, the wealthy and the big corporations. Just like the Republicans. It would be a very good thing if the Coalition was never voted in again.

[@mareezyg6058]

Are you kidding?!

[@mgreen1206]

Don’t know were your going but I spent most of 2022 In and out of hosp and I paid nothing

[@annaduffield8964]

My inhaler only costs me $5.80 and the full price is only $28 I do not have health insurance but I’ve never had a health related debt. With Medicare and healthcare I’ve had ultrasounds, X-rays, MRI’s, ER visits and regular doctor visits and have never paid for any of them. We are truly blessed here in Australia with healthcare.

[@heatherrowles9930]

Currently on the PBS I get 2 ventolin inhalers (for asthma) for around $14.50. I can buy a single inhaler without a prescription for the same price.

[@TheKira699]

For me, who has both Medicare and Private. I pay maximum $500 per year for any hospital stay, everything included. After that Nothing for the same Calendar year. I've had to go back to the same hospital 4 times for 4 surgeries in the one year. Cost zero. Getting the best Private cover is important too, the ones that cover you for everything 100%...not just the cheapest, which basically don't cover you. (means I can go into a private hospital with a private room etc)

[@jayneross6123]

Australian here. It's shocking that the American government medical expense per capita is the highest in the world and yet the people have a terrible level of service. They're already paying for it but don't expect or demand better from their government. Big business rules! I pay $50 per week for private health insurance and if I have to be admitted to a private hospital my out of pocket expense is $50 per day for up to 5 days, then I don't pay anymore. That will cover the hospital stay, doctors, operations, medicines, all tests etc. Ambulances are free, as are emergency rooms.

[@tacitdionysus3220]

The total cost of hospital and medical care in Australia is around half that in the USA. American tourists who have (uninsured) treatment while here are often surprised that the "full fee' they pay is much less. That is mainly because government plays a much bigger role in bargaining for the cost of services and resources. However, Australian health care is NOT free. All the comments about how "I had this treatment, and it cost me $0" is rubbish. Unless you are very young or very old, you're paying for it. If you are not, you will be, or you did so at some time. Let's do some numbers. Average salary (not including Superannuation paid by your employer) is about $91,000. For that you'll be taxed $20,040 and pay a Medicare levy of about $1820 (more if you don't have private health insurance and have to pay a Medicare Surcharge). If you have private insurance, depending on the policy, you will pay about $1000 to $2000 a year, let's say $1500. (For Americans to convert all that to USD, multiply by about 0.7) Over a full time equivalent employment life of say 40 years, the average person will pay about $72,500 in Medicare (a lot more if no private insurance) and $60,000 in private insurance - That's a total of $132,000, not including all the other medical stuff, like co-payments, out of pocket expenses, lots of pharmaceuticals, many alternative therapies, a lot of dental work, and extra to get a half decent pair of glasses. Let's be really conservative and say it all adds up to about $180,000. Plus some government funding top ups come out of general tax. - Now explain to me again how it's all completely free???? OK, I would never advocate using the USA system instead of the Australian system. With the latter you know you probably won't be made destitute by some relatively common but expensive condition. I know what that's like, as my Dad had serious illness in his twilight years just prior to Medicare, and it meant us having to sell the house, the car, live with rellies, and have all clothes from Vinnie's, etc. And lets not even start about people with disabilities. But, here's some food for thought. Housing in a reasonably nice city or town in the USA costs significantly less than in an Australian city, where most of us live. In fact, over a lifetime it more than makes up for the additional cost of medical and hospital. We need a roof over our head as much as we need good medical care. So, fellow Aussies, don't get too 'up on your high horse' about how we always do everything so much better. Believing that health care in Australia is "all free' is political propaganda, not fact.

[@davidmalarkey1302]

I had an echocardiogram here in the UK that cost zero. I had a heart attack and have 3 stents in my heart and had 3mth cardiac rehab cost zero in the UK in America I'd be bankrupt and doing a go fund to pay for it.

[@theChickenstones]

Your posts are fabulous Ryan. As an Australian Registered Nursing 'Sister' for over 40+ years, (strange to be called that still as a 63 year old grandfather!) My quick commentary is I have had a few of lives health challenges to consider and I'm not insured.( Happily pay my taxes) A bout of Multiple Sclerosis in 1994. Three weeks in hospital and treatment costs $0. Then in 2015, a double hip replacement (I'm a musician and had jumped off a stage on tour and fractured a cyst in my left femoral head , I knew I had bad osteo arthritis in right hip) To get hip replacement surgery to walk again properly was going to be a 6 to 8 month wait on public lists. No walking, no working. Borrowed $50,000 to have the replacements done within 6 weeks. Even with private health insurance the double prosthesis alone would have cost over $26.000 as the hardware is not covered. I'm still ahead. Then since 2018, hospitalised, treated and fussed over for 4+ years for a rare head cancer. Surgery to remove all sinuses and graft a hole in the base of my skull, 6 weeks of daily radiation therapy then 12 months of dual chemo. Still being scoped and having PET scans/ MRI's regularly to this day. Costs ;$0. In the USA I suspect I would be bankrupt. Get those rich fucks to pay their fair share. I know there is more to it but 'trickle down' economies don't work . Reaganomic hangovers run by sociopaths don't either. Enjoying your posts immensely.

[@carolinekaeser]

I’ve had 5 major surgeries in the last 4 years and I didn’t have to pay anything on the day. But our healthcare isn’t free as such as we pay it all in our taxes and we actually have to wait for certain surgeries depending on the urgency of them. Some wait lists can be very long for elective surgeries. If we are in a car accident/bitten by a snake/fallen off a roof/tripped over a shoelace etc and need emergency surgery it’s done immediately and we aren’t charged. For anyone with private health insurance they can have their surgeries or treatments or see specialists faster but still may incur out of pocket expenses depending on the type of surgery that’s being done. 👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻👶🏻 I had a friend in the USA that had quints and I did see the bill before insurance which was close to a million dollars and I thought it was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen.

[@jaymills6091]

Ryan, both my husband and I are pensioners. My husband is cared for by our Vet Affairs and I, as his carer, have free health care through Defence Health. Zero cost.

[@rebeccawilson-brown757]

I'm an Aussie nurse, worked both public and private. Private if you have no insurance is $1200/night minimum, with insurance its usually $300-500 excess that you only pay one per year. Public system is free- every scan/test/medication/operation/follow up services as an inpatient is free- you only pay for your discharge medication. The big difference is the waiting lists for elective surgery such as a knee replacement- public might be a couple of years depending on severity but private can be a week. People without insurance can pay to go through the private system - knee will generally cost $15-20k Veterans also have free access to the private system

[@lazyfrogonalog]

A night in hospital is free in Australia because it's covered by Medicare. I think this interviewer is mixing up the average cost per patient, to the system, in the country with the actual cost to the patient. Same applies to his US costs because it depends on your insurance.