General Discussion

surfered

(15,276 posts)

31. Glad you are ok. I slipped and fell on stairs in a hotel in Beilstein, Germany and dislocated a finger.

Thu Jun 25, 2026, 09:57 PM

Jun 25

I drove to a hospital (kranken haus) in Cochem. Doctor Wolf examined me and ordered an X-Ray.

He then numbed the finger, set it, and ordered a second X-Ray to make sure it was done correctly.

He put on a splint, gave me some pain pills, and advised me not to drive (I drove to Italy with no problem). The bill was 125 Euro, about $150 at the time.

Also been to the ER in London. There was no charge. I offered to pay something, but was advised they didn’t have an office that collected money.

On the other hand, foreign tourists visiting the US who develop appendicitis, leave the hospital after surgery with a $30,000 bill.

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Hospital Bill, German style [View all] DFW Jun 25 OP

30 years ago lapfog_1 Jun 25 #1

We can only hope popsdenver Jun 25 #2

I can't look. Thanks for posting. I just can't look. Have a great day. twodogsbarking Jun 25 #3

It was peanuts compared to what you'd pay back in the USA DFW Jun 25 #9

I'm glad to see you posting today& that you are well enough to do so. irisblue Jun 25 #4

Thanks for the kind words! DFW Jun 25 #6

Best wishes DFW and thanks for the perspective. ED Evolve Dammit Jun 25 #5

No sweat! I haven't been in an American hospital overnight since 2011. DFW Jun 25 #7

OMG. Thats why med bills are #1 cause of bankruptcy. Evolve Dammit Jun 27 #65

That was a weird deal with the billing. DFW Jun 28 #67

It's a money extraction racket, not "health care." Thanks for the info, and yes it is perverse. I just got a denial for Evolve Dammit Wednesday #73

Here's our Canadian Health story Tripper11 Jun 25 #8

Here in Germany DFW Jun 25 #14

Stay Well DFW! We love your posts from across the pond. joanbarnes Jun 25 #10

If I have not been the cause of fatal boredom DFW Jun 26 #37

Heheh blm Jun 26 #52

What good authority? DFW Jun 28 #68

😁 blm Jun 28 #69

Ain't freedom to choose your poison relogic Jun 25 #11

Actually, my Doctor in Dallas said I was right to get the procedure done in Germany DFW Jun 25 #15

Yes relogic Jun 25 #18

I left Pennsylvania in 1975, so I'm in the dark about what it is like there now DFW Jun 25 #20

My dear PA relogic Jun 25 #22

We love you, DFW. So happy to hear that everything is going well for you! ❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 25 #12

As well as can be hoped for, anyway!! I am grateful for your comment!! DFW Jun 25 #21

Many Happy Returns to your bride and condolences for the loss of her mom. ... littlemissmartypants Jun 25 #23

It's amazing what can happen in fifty years! DFW Jun 25 #24

It really is! 🌞❤️ littlemissmartypants Jun 25 #25

Northern Germany, my husband's father Tree Lady Jun 25 #29

You can still get the citizenship without moving there right away. DFW Jun 26 #42

Happy for your outcome but disappointed in the bill......... KS Toronado Jun 25 #13

I'm a legal resident here, so you heard wrong DFW Jun 25 #17

The 19% VAT tax is also used to pay for many of those "free" services MichMan Jun 26 #55

In the US, each state can levy its own state sales tax DFW Jun 28 #66

There are state and local income taxes on top of the federal income tax MichMan Jun 28 #70

Simple DFW Jun 28 #71

Whenever health care is brought up, there are always statements about other countries and how we need to emulate them. MichMan Jun 28 #72

My Angiogram cost $20k 14 yrs ago. Jacson6 Jun 25 #16

Now THAT is a typical horror story, the likes of which I hear often DFW Jun 25 #19

Living the life. Love that you are at it. cachukis Jun 25 #26

I'm still alive DFW Jun 26 #43

Wisdom pays dividends. cachukis Jun 26 #44

Wow, what a great happy ending story! DFW Jun 26 #45

The best of times, the worst of times. cachukis Jun 26 #46

Sometimes the simple things stand out DFW Jun 26 #47

My grandfather was a supervisor in the Back Bay cachukis Jun 26 #49

Thanks, we intend to try! DFW Jun 26 #54

The Scots certainly woke it up. cachukis Jun 26 #56

It would be basically free here in Sweden, so there's that. Celerity Jun 25 #27

Is that for legal residents, or anyone who shows up? DFW Jun 26 #33

Legal residents. You do not have to be a citizen, just be living here legally. You cannot (of course) come here as a Celerity Jun 26 #35

Medical tourism was, for a while, at least, a concern in Canada DFW Jun 26 #36

This message was self-deleted by its author Celerity Jun 25 #28

I'm glad you are doing well MustLoveBeagles Jun 25 #30

Thanks! DFW Jun 26 #34

Glad you are ok. I slipped and fell on stairs in a hotel in Beilstein, Germany and dislocated a finger. surfered Jun 25 #31

That sounds typical for all three countries DFW Jun 26 #32

We are in Germany Old Crank Jun 26 #38

If either of you had a German employer, that made all the difference. DFW Jun 26 #40

We took TK insurance Old Crank Jun 26 #58

Thanks! Yes, it so seems to have been successful. DFW Jun 27 #59

My daughter did her BA abroad in France - TBF Jun 26 #39

Germany is different, not surprisingly. DFW Jun 26 #41

Recommended. H2O Man Jun 26 #48

A socialist country here in Europe. DFW Jun 26 #50

Medical care and education. H2O Man Jun 26 #53

Hospital Bill here in Canada (for Canadians, naturalized included) Justice matters. Jun 26 #51

Canada seems to have learned from the mistakes of other countries. DFW Jun 27 #60

Thank you for this touching reply. Justice matters. Jun 27 #64

I've been thinking of you... r�is�n_dubh Jun 26 #57

My last cardiac episode in the USA was in 2011. DFW Jun 27 #61

I still feel that it should be completely free, paid with higher taxes Polybius Jun 27 #62

Thanks for the well-wishes DFW Jun 27 #63