U.S. Healthcare Dilemma: Woman Charged $688 for 7-Hour Emergency Room Wait Without Treatment

① The Cost of Waiting in U.S. Emergency Rooms

American hospital bills are notoriously infamous for their high costs. Many Americans are falling into debt and forgoing treatment due to these excessive costs. Recently, a case that sparked a debate in the U.S. involved the cost of waiting in the emergency room.

Taylor Davis, who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, visited an emergency room after injuring her head. She waited seven hours after registration but returned home without a doctor seeing her. However, a few weeks later, Davis received a hospital bill for $688.35.

At first, she thought there had been a mistake and contacted the hospital. The hospital informed her that the bill was for the emergency room visit. They explained that their policy charges a fee for registering in the emergency room, regardless of whether one receives treatment. Also, they stated, “Charges are incurred before the examination.”

Davis expressed her frustration, saying, “No one called my name at the hospital. I didn’t receive any treatment.” She added that she would think twice before going to a hospital in the future.

Davis brought this issue to the media, and as the press began to investigate, the hospital stated that they would look into the matter. The hospital announced, “Our team is investigating this issue and will take follow-up actions directly with the individual concerned.”

The incident sparked a major debate among Americans. Locals commented, “Paying for health insurance on a fixed income is not easy for me, but it’s necessary for peace of mind when I’m sick,” “I won’t pay it and will see them in court. They can’t do this to people,” and “Can this be considered fair?”

One person criticized the dire reality of healthcare in the U.S., saying, “I haven’t been able to afford insurance since 2008 and haven’t been to a hospital since. I’ve been praying for my health ever since. Our healthcare is a disgrace, and this should never happen.”

② The Reality of Not Going to the Hospital Even When Sick

Many people in the U.S. do not go to the hospital due to the burden of medical costs. Significantly, many seniors without a fixed income are not receiving proper medical services due to fear of hospital bills.
Bloomberg cited a joint survey by research firm Gallup and nonprofit senior care organization West Health, revealing that many seniors aged 65 and over refuse essential medical services.

Some respondents admitted to skipping their prescribed medication to save money. Bloomberg predicted that the number of Americans who cannot afford medical costs will continue to increase. The issue of medical expenses in the U.S. affects not only seniors but many Americans.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue even more, with one American revealing that a two-month hospital stay due to COVID-19 resulted in a bill of $1.12 million.

Another woman, after a four-month hospital stay, said she received a bill for over $2.85 million. Both individuals had insurance.

The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is unimaginable in South Korea. Checking a temperature costs about $110, an IV and CT scan costs around $13,000, and gallbladder removal surgery costs about $42,000 – these prices are incomparable to those in South Korea.

Furthermore, critics have accused some hospitals of overcharging for medical costs. They even charge for absurd reasons like emotional labor. One woman living in the U.S. said a charge of about $2,070 appeared for an uncomplicated pregnancy test during her tumor removal surgery under the name of ‘women’s services.’ Another American revealed receiving a charge of about $42 for an ’emotional behavior assessment’ when they cried during a consultation with a doctor.

③ The Most Expensive Healthcare in the World

Healthcare costs in the U.S. are the highest in the world. Because healthcare insurance in the U.S. is privatized, insurance premiums are incredibly high. The enrollment process is also complicated, and some cannot easily afford insurance due to the burden of premiums.

The U.S. is known for its unclear hospital fee-setting system and high variations in medical costs between hospitals. Currently, the U.S. is implementing regulations that require hospitals to disclose standard medical costs to improve the practice of setting medical fees. However, many places still do not tell legal medical costs.

By. Seo Sung Min