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Couple left with $200k bill after baby born in US (www.bbc.co.uk)

submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by Beep@lemmus.org to c/nottheonion@lemmy.world

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A couple were told they faced a $200,000 (£146,500) medical bill when their baby was born prematurely in the US, despite them having travel insurance which covered her pregnancy.

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[-] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 3 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

Insurance companies make deals with hospitals along the lines of "We'll pay 1k for this procedure which should cost 300 bucks, or 40% of your standard rates, whichever is lower." So the standard rate becomes $2500.

Then the insurance company will require a 40% "copay" based on the standard rates, and the patient ends up paying the $1000 and the insurance company doesn't pay shit despite collecting hundreds a month in premiums.

If you tell them you don't have insurance they'll frequently discount the fee to the $300 it should cost.

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 2 hours ago

And this is embraced because profit is capped to a percentage of payouts

this post was submitted on 21 Feb 2026

879 points (99.0% liked)

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