Exorbitant prices for medical services in the USA: personal experience of a Russian-speaking immigrant

Russian-speaking immigrant shared Facebook story about calling an ambulance in the US and the bills he received for it. His emotional story sparked heated discussions among social media users.

Photo: Ambulance © Viorel Dudau | Dreamstime.com

This is what this person said: "The ambulance arrived, took me to the hospital, the doctors gave me painkillers and did an X-ray. They told me that my back was fine, they didn't even do an MRI.

And then I got a bill for $5310. The x-ray alone was $53. Two ibuprofen tablets were $5613. The total was $46.

I was offered a 90-day installment plan, and I have to pay $3838 every 30 days. The amounts are simply astronomical! How do you like these prices for calling an ambulance, an examination, and a couple of pills? Yes, this is not the former USSR, where you could call an ambulance for any reason! Write how you resolved issues with paying for medical services in the USA."

On the subject: Seven mysteries of health insurance in the USA, and how to solve them

This story is just one of many that illustrate how expensive health care can be in the United States, especially for those without insurance. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of an ambulance call in the United States ranges from $2000 to $3000, and an emergency room stay can cost anywhere from $1000 to $10 or more, depending on the procedures performed. An X-ray, like the one in the narrator’s case, typically costs between $000 and $100, but some hospitals, especially in larger cities, can charge sky-high prices, as this story illustrates. Two ibuprofen tablets for $1000 are also not uncommon, as hospitals often include so-called administrative fees and markups for medications in their bills.

Comments under the immigrant's video show that the topic really touches a nerve, but the range of reactions is very wide - from sympathy to sarcasm.

One woman recalls: “I was hospitalized overnight and the bill was $12, but I didn’t pay anything with insurance.”

Another commentator recalled a funny situation: “An acquaintance fell near a store in winter, a crowd gathered, and everyone said in one voice: ‘Let’s call an ambulance!’ The pain went away in a second, he got up and ran.”

A third user compared the US to Canada: “We have everything free, like in the USSR: payments from wages, but if there is no work, it’s still free.”

However, there were also those who were quite harsh in their judgments: "Call an ambulance because of back pain? This is a lesson - without insurance in the US, it is better not to get sick."

Others suspected the author of exaggeration or even propaganda: "Either he's stupid or he's working for the public. Insurance covers almost everything."

Is it true? Health insurance could soften the blow, but there are caveats. According to eHealth, the average cost of individual insurance in 2024 was about $456 per month for a single person, but for family plans or more comprehensive coverage, it easily reaches $1000 or more.

The basic $300-per-month plans one commenter mentioned often cover only the bare minimum, like preventive exams or partial coverage for emergency care. More expensive plans that do reduce the cost of serious treatments require significant monthly premiums and still may not cover all procedures.

However, even with insurance, patients often face additional expenses—so-called out-of-pocket costs—that include deductibles, co-payments, and services not covered by the insurance plan.

The story has sparked debate about how the American health care system works and how immigrants, especially newcomers, can navigate it. For many newcomers to the U.S., the health care system is a culture shock. Unlike government-run countries, where services are often free or subsidized, in the U.S., health care is a business, where every procedure, every doctor’s visit, and even every pill has a price. Without insurance, even a simple visit to the hospital can leave you in debt for years.

About 8% of Americans had medical debt in 2023, and 41% of adults faced financial hardship due to medical bills, according to research from the Commonwealth Fund.

For immigrants, especially those just starting out in the U.S., the situation is more complicated. Many, like the author of this video, may not be aware of the need for insurance or underestimate its importance. Some commenters suggested that the author may not be a U.S. citizen, which may have affected the bill, as non-residents sometimes face higher rates. Others noted that without insurance, even U.S. citizens pay full cost for services, which is many times higher than for insured patients.

"If you earn a lot and don't have kids, such accounts are rare. But living without insurance is stupid," one user concluded.

How do people cope with such expenses? Commenters share different strategies. Some negotiate with the hospital to pay in installments, as in the case of the author of the video. Others turn to charity programs that some medical institutions offer to the poor. Still others simply ignore the bills, although this can lead to lawsuits or a damaged credit history. Some advise immediately signing up for insurance through an employer or government programs like Medicaid for those who qualify. However, for many immigrants, access to such programs is limited, especially in the first years of life in the country.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple read it all on ForumDaily New Y

The story serves as a reminder that in the U.S., health is not just a matter of physical well-being, but also financial preparedness. Without insurance or a deep understanding of the system, even a few ibuprofen tablets can cost the price of an airline ticket.

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