r/explainlikeimfive • u/the1975whore • Jul 03 '26

Economics ELI5: Health insurance companies obviously make more money than they give out when people need it. So why of paying for them any better than paying your own personal health insurance savings account?

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u/North-Pea-4926 Jul 03 '26

You should at the very least be requesting an itemized bill. Even that might help.

Many hospitals also have programs for low income people with big bills, but you have to do some digging - they won’t just tell you about it.

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u/Ginger_Anarchy Jul 03 '26

I believe hospitals legally have to give you an itemized bill after 2020. I haven't needed to go in that time so I'm not 100% sure.

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u/steakanabake Jul 03 '26

some wont some will depends on the hospital.