So, you know that cliche you see in some American movies: somebody is really angry when he gets a bill? Angry as in pulling his own hair out angry or beating the postman who brings the bills angry. Some might say that this is an exaggerated reaction. It’s almost like those people are irritated at the idea that they have to give money away.
Well, if you would have asked me 2 days ago I would have agreed that the reaction is exaggerated. Unfortunately, I went through the same ‘experience’ this evening, and I find it reasonable to get angry sometimes if all the conditions are right (all the planets align, etc). Let me explain: I got a bill from my dentist in which she asks me for money for some services that were not covered by the medical insurance (or better said, the amount covered by the insurance has been reached and now money comes out of my pocket). Normally I would just pay the bill and walk on. But now I cannot do that. You see, before accepting the medical treatment, I think I am entitled to find out UPFRONT the costs of this medical treatment and what my out of pocket expense for that treatment will be. I got an ‘estimate’ just to find out that the reality doesn’t really match this estimate. So, now the dentist wants more money. Isn’t this great? Spending money that you don’t have and after that getting a bill?
Needless to say, that I won’t probably be returning to this dentist after she had the nerd to effectively lie knowing that later I cannot do anything about it. Isn’t the medical system in the US great?