Example: Imatinib is listed anywhere between $3k and $19k retail depending on the store you buy it (source: GoodRX). With insurance, you would never pay this amount. Without insurance you can use a coupon provider like GoodRX to reduce the retail price to as low as $120. I am told, but have no proof, that if you have no insurance and no coupon, the store will provide a “cash purchase value” that matches or is very close to the coupon price.
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Healthcare in general is so high because it’s paid by insurance in percentages. If you have an agreement to pay 10% for X procedure, then while you may only pay $1000, it’s billed at $10,000. The procedure is only worth $1000, but you bill it so much higher to achieve that. Further, the amount that is “lost” by the hospitals is written off so that it’s not really a loss.
If you want $10 from your mom, you ask her for $100 and act satisfied when she hands you a $10 to leave her alone.
The fact that you can ask nicely or ask for an itemized bill and get your bill cut in half if not more just proves that all these numbers are made up.
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