Quote:
Originally Posted by Soupe du jour
Thanks, GoGo2!
I have a feeling that there would be a reason that this would not be possible in today's US. I actually don't know what's going on behind the scenes, in this respect, but it is surely related to the insurance stuff and maybe even a different set up regarding pharmacies and $$$. I will say that there are some Czech pharmacies that charge a little bit more than others, but it's almost laughable the amount more. We're talking like the equivalent of $2 or so. Not the huge differences in the US. Actually, very often you don't pay any co-pay at all for some meds. The ones you do generally don't require more than $20 at the very very worst.
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The whole system is different in USA. We pay a monthly price at our tax- card and that is it. We have many private pharmacies, but, as far as I have understood it, they don't have different prices. I don't know how they compete with each other, but for us who use their services it is very OK that we can chose the nearest. We also have a roof for how much it shall cost us to be sick, (hospitals are always free for everybody). When we have used about 300 $ on a doctor (all kinds), a clinical therapist or a physiotherapist or only at medications a person needs (like antidepressants, neuroleptica (anti-psychotics) bipolar, diabetes, chronic heart disease and so on), all these services are free for the rest of the year. You enter the doctors office and the paying machine refuse to take your money. The same happens at the pharmacy. This electronic system is very intelligent. I am glad that the medical engineers worked it out. This year I don't have to pay for doctors or necessary medication for the rest of the year. If I need, painkillers, benzos or something like that, I have to pay for them. They are not included under the "roof of payment" for necessary health expenses. In 2023 the paying starts again until the roof is reached.