Some marketplace premiums could more than double. Employer-based plans are soaring.

Shock and dismay have already begun as Americans face next year’s health insurance costs—and it looks like everyone will be in for some grim numbers.

So far, much of the attention has been on the stratospheric prices that Americans might see on plans they buy from Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Critical tax credits for those plans are set to expire at the end of the year, and, on top of that, insurers have proposed a median 18 percent price increase for 2026. With the higher prices and a loss of credits, some Americans could see their monthly premiums more than double.

    • Trainguyrom@reddthat.comEnglish
      1·
      2 days ago

      Oh hospital billing is absolutely fucked up. Usually the bill you receive isn’t itemized and simply requesting an itemized bill can be enough to knock some amoint off of the bill because even the hospitals billing staff are often not entirely certain exactly how they got that number they’re now billing you for.

      But yeah, anyone who does receive a large hospital bill, engage in some negotiations, ask for an itemized bill, state you will be paying the lower amount that is billed to insurance, advise that you’re in a tough financial spot and ask what discounts or community care programs are available, and once all of that is done ask if you can settle for a lower amount by paying as a lump sum. My youngest’s birth resulted in an $8k bill and ultimately the entire bill went away after a community care application (there were also some other unpaid bills that got forgiven because this hospital is horrible about actually sending bills, only ever sending statements that clearly say “this is not a bill” on them) so definitely use that bill as a starting point for negotiations!

      • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        2 days ago

        Yeah, uh… We don’t do any of that. Last time I was in a hospital my main concern was driving back to a different province with a bandage on my hand.

        The only time I’ve ever paid anything for a hospital stay, other than prescription meds, is when I had to cover $40 for an ambulance call-out. And I billed that to my work because it was a workplace injury.

        Look, I’m not trying to twist the knife here, I just really wish every American understood how completely insane their system is. It doesn’t have to work like that. The words “negotiate with the hospital” do not ever have to be a part of your life.