Comments by "Helmuth Schultes" (@helmuthschultes9243) on "Australians Guess American Medical Costs - American Reacts" video.
-
A number of years ago, we had repports of an elderly couple taking a holiday in the USA. While they had travel insurance, that among many problems had travel related costs and accident covered, they failed to understand a fine clause excluding pre existing health not covered or limited cover. The husband had a heart condition needing a significant daily tablets treatment. Of course with needed medical certificates, they had three months of tablet supply on hand.
Sadly while in San Diego, he suffered a bad heart attack. As a result was rished by ambulance tl LA from recollection. That started a huge bill rolling, of several thousand dollars on ambulance transport, plus additional thousands for medical supplies used during transport, though all tablets needed were on hand, by practice only ambulance supplied medications allowed.
Once in hospital the daily charges were enormous, again none of his own tablets were allowed, but hugely costly hospital issued tablets were used. Although the same brand, dosage and types, were on hand. But also something like $300 a day charged for disposable, single use plastic plates/bowls/cups and cutlery was charged. By the time they were able to leave from hospital treatment, after two weeks, and return home, cancelling all but the first couple of weeks of their holiday, they owed over $300,000. On return they discovered the travel insurance covered only $2000 maximum, for pre existing health matters, and faced selling their home, as pensioners little cash existed, having spent ten years of savings on a once in a lifetime US holiday that was now close to ending their future life. Without private health insurance, that might have assisted a little they began advertising their home. Fortunately some very helpful people assisted, from memory, raised some donations and a VERY wealthy person who himself faced the rediculous US costs donated the balance, leaving them very poor, losing their years of savings for a holiday never enjoyed.
12