You know how in many poor countries, they’ll charge you higher prices because they (rightly) think that you’re a westerner and can thus pay much higher prices than the locals? I heavily suspect that was basically that. Swedes aren’t paying $450 USD for 15 minutes doctor time.
Yeah, as a German, the quality of care isn’t necessarily that great (though I never experience the US healthcare system to compare). Many European countries have been heavily cutting corners in the last 1-2 decades. I’ve been to several doctors who, after waiting like 3 months for an appointment, have been practically useless. “I tried nothing and I’m all out of ideas” kind of shit, and for several different issues. They’re fine with simple/obvious stuff, but once it’s slightly difficult to figure out or any kind of mental health issue you’re pretty much just going there to be able to tell your employer that you’re trying, and maybe get lucky with medication.
I’m sure there’s levels of competency, but it seems a large part of the failure of the US healthcare itself is when doctors have to try and convince the insurance corporation that they do have education and experience and the procedure or medication they recommended to help someone is valid. As if the insurance company knows better and is trying to protect the patient… right.
You know how in many poor countries, they’ll charge you higher prices because they (rightly) think that you’re a westerner and can thus pay much higher prices than the locals? I heavily suspect that was basically that. Swedes aren’t paying $450 USD for 15 minutes doctor time.
I figured as much, but it was jarring to receive worse care and for way more money than I would have paid at home (even uninsured).
Yeah, as a German, the quality of care isn’t necessarily that great (though I never experience the US healthcare system to compare). Many European countries have been heavily cutting corners in the last 1-2 decades. I’ve been to several doctors who, after waiting like 3 months for an appointment, have been practically useless. “I tried nothing and I’m all out of ideas” kind of shit, and for several different issues. They’re fine with simple/obvious stuff, but once it’s slightly difficult to figure out or any kind of mental health issue you’re pretty much just going there to be able to tell your employer that you’re trying, and maybe get lucky with medication.
I’m sure there’s levels of competency, but it seems a large part of the failure of the US healthcare itself is when doctors have to try and convince the insurance corporation that they do have education and experience and the procedure or medication they recommended to help someone is valid. As if the insurance company knows better and is trying to protect the patient… right.
Prior Authorizations as an idea, are just the insurance company playing doctor. They should be illegal, the company doesn’t have a medical license.
The insurance companies do have doctors on staff though. They’re just incentivised to deny everything lest they get fired.