A weekly thread to discuss financial matters - from personal all the way up to global.
Ground Rules
- Remember that we're all just Internet randos. Don't bet your life savings on a hot tip from this thread.
- Keep culture war in the culture war thread. Yes, global events may impact our personal finances, but that does not mean we have to incessantly harp on culture war aspects here. If you are going to discuss it, please stick to the practical impacts of it on an individual level.
- Be kind. Remember that everyone here comes from different circumstances. We all have different resources available and different risk tolerances.
- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Better is better. Celebrate people when they take a step up and work to move their finances in the right direction. Don't flame out because they haven't followed what you consider the optimal path. Everybody has to start somewhere.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
My knowledge of this is less intimate than I'd like because most of my career involves decreasing autonomy and the hospital does shit in the background with little involvement from me, but it's usually pretty obvious that someone can't pay. You can ask for a payment plan or pretend to be homeless or whatever but you have to convince them if they are going to adjust.
As others note the amount they charge the insurance company isn't going to be the same amount they charge you (or the insurance company pays) but that's only mostly. Private equity run physician groups will be aggressive about seeking professional charges even if you are homeless or other similar things can pop up. The hospital can refuse to negotiate and does do that.
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