Thread by @ZachWeiner

For non-Americans who think our healthcare system is merely evil, but lacking in elements of dark comedy, let me spin you a tale.

So we have to get a test done. The samples are sent in. I get a call from the test company saying it'll be $4,000. Nice.

We assume this is because it's not covered by our expensive insurance. We call to argue with them, they tell us that (based on a narrow matter) it indeed isn't covered.

We call the doctor to ask if this seems reasonable. She says absolutely not, and that the test is $2k.

I call back the test company. The man, whom I'm sure is used to this sort of thing and maintains a voice of serenity throughout tells me the cost is $4,000.

I say we have to talk to our insurance to see if they'll cover more. He says they ARE covering it but the remainder is 4k.

I say, well, the doctor told me the test is only $2k.

Now, the amazing part.

He tells me that's the "self-pay cost. If you pay out of pocket, it's $2,000."

I say "Wait, so if I route it through my insurance, I pay twice as much?"

"That's right, sir."

He explains that the cost for insurance to pay for it is $9,000 of which the insurance is (no doubt, very generously) paying a significant portion.

Why I wasn't told immediately that I could pay half the price is a fascinating mystery!

Coda: The fascinating thing is I can't figure out in particular who's evil here. The test company? The insurance? Everyone? The system due to bastards? The system due to its structure? It's a rich tapestry of bastardry!

Or perhaps they just want to create a real-life Comedy of Errors as a sort of performance art?