eli5: if an operational cost of an MRI scan is $50-75, why does it cost up to $3500 to a patient?

Question

Explain like I’m European.

In: Other

Answer 1

when insurance became legally mandatory, hospitals realized that they could charge whatever they wanted and the insurance would cover at least some of it. even if it’s only 10% of what they charged, its still infinitely more than it’s worth.