OpenTube

We Had the Same Procedure, BUT 60x THE COST!

How Great Is Britain

64,504 views

We had the same medical procedure—one in the US, one on the NHS. The final cost? Vastly different.

In this episode, we compare our experiences with healthcare in the USA and UK after going through remarkably similar treatment—a foot exam and toenail lab test—on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

For Brett, the experience in the US ultimately cost more than $1,600, including the complications of navigating health insurance and dealing with unexpected medical bills after the fact. Gemma's experience in the UK? £20 for her prescriptions.

As featured on BBC Points West, we’re a British-American couple sharing our experience of leaving the USA and moving to the UK with our two little girls and two rescue pups while celebrating everyday British life.

Download our US → UK relocation checklist:
https://howgreatisbritain.com/resources

How Great Is Britain Resources Products that helped:
https://howgreatisbritain.com/recomme...

Follow us:
Instagram: @howgreatisbritain.gb
TikTok: @howgreatisbritain

Editing and Cool Animations - Dave Weisser (@daveweisser)

End Music - "Lemonade Stand" by alanajordanhttps://pixabay.com/music/cartoons-le...

00:00 – NHS vs US Healthcare: The Biggest Culture Shock
01:17 – The Mental Load of Paying for US Healthcare
02:46 – Our Experience With US Medical Bills
04:03 – Our Experience With the UK NHS
06:14 – US vs UK Healthcare Costs: What You Really Pay
07:37 – US Health Insurance Premiums Explained
08:12 – US Healthcare Copays and Hidden Fees
09:55 – Why Did This Prescription Cost $200?
11:40 – Out-of-Network and Surprise Medical Bills
13:31 – How to Fight and Appeal US Medical Bills
14:48 – Why Was a Callus Removal $65 in the US?
16:06 – NHS vs US Healthcare Cost Comparison
17:38 – Level of Care: NHS vs US Healthcare
19:10 – UK Visa Costs: NHS Immigration Surcharge
20:23 – Which System Is Better? Share Your Experience

5 Unwritten Rules In the UK No One Tells You - 5 Unwritten Rules In the UK No One Tells You
5 Things That Driving in the UK Reveals about British Life - 5 Things That Driving in the UK Reveals Ab...
5 Things This American Learned After One Year Living in the UK - 5 Things This American Learned After One Y...

#britishculture #culturalshocks #howgreatisbritain #AmericanInEngland #BritishVsAmerican #MovingToTheUK

20 Comments

@chrysalis4126 1 month ago Pinned

You should really have added your monthly National Insurance payments to the British one as that's what goes towards your healthcare.

@thekiteflyer1 1 month ago

I'm a pensioner here in the UK, so in Gemma's case there would have been no prescription charges 👍

Back in 2019, I had a cycling accident, in which I broke my left hip, this entailed a trip to hospital, a total hip replacement, several days in hospital, patient transport home when the hospital discharged me, special equipment to raise the bed to the correct height, a walking frame and crutches, weekly home visits by a physio for about 6 weeks, and several months later a bone density scan.

The total cost for all of this was £0, I dread to think what that would have cost in the states

@Mjp63 4 weeks ago

Hi Gemma and Bret. 3 weeks ago as a result of several infections, (which required antibiotics) from in growing toe nails of both big toes, and due to concerns of my GP relating to my diabetes. He referred me to Podiatry via the NHS. A week later I had an assessment for nail surgery, a blood test to check my blood sugar levels were within range for surgery to go ahead. Two weeks later I had the surgery on both toes performed and a follow up the next day for toes to be redressed and for instructions on how to dress and care for them myself over the following 6-8 weeks. I was also given enough dressing for 2 weeks. I had to purchase more dressing at a cost of £9.99 for 60. The surgery was nearly 4 weeks ago and they are healing well. I was thrilled and delighted with the speed at which it all happened. Your video has made me consider exactly how much this would have cost in the American healthcare system. I am a retired NHS employee and am very passionate about it and truly believe we are immensely fortunate to have this amazing service available to us free at the point of use. Best wishes.

@genorp 1 month ago (edited)

Several weeks ago, I fainted on a train (heat, some digestive issue, yada yada). I got home ok, as I felt better afterward, but I decided to go to urgent care on the Sunday to talk to an out-of-hours GP just in case it was heart-related, as the symptoms can be confused. Short wait (about 10 minutes). He looked at my record, we talked, he examined me. All good. I paid £1.40 for parking.

@carltonurwin3923 4 weeks ago

It sounds like the process you go through with insurance after a car crash 💥

@Angusgirl 1 month ago

It’s so hard to imagine the stress people in the US must have around that system. That alone must make people more sick. I’m in Scotland where we have free prescriptions so even the £20 sounds like a lot

@jennyg-uf1uo 1 month ago

So, what with the cost of decent healthcare and the poisonous additives in so many foods, it isn’t surprising that life expectancy in the USA is lower than any other developed country.

@foxylady1048 3 weeks ago

The USA is not a country with a heart, it’s a company with greed at its heart.

@Leeh468 1 month ago

This is really interesting! As a Brit we take the NHS for granted. It is wild xx

@chrisking1334 11 days ago

A fascinating comparison - thank you!

@alanhughes6753 1 month ago (edited)

Two years ago I ended up in A&E with a bladder sepsis that ended up with me spending two weeks in hospital on the critical list - in fact, at one point they prep'ed me to go into the ICU for continuous dialysis due to my kidneys shutting down. During this time I was on intravenous antibiotics, and at one point I was on intravenous insulin when they lost control of my diabetes (up to then it had been controlled by diet and exercise). I also had multiple MRI scans so they could see what damage was being done to my other organs by the sepsis.

I dread to think how much it would have cost had I been in the US, the actual total cost to me under the NHS: £0.00.

@colinbrazier8511 3 weeks ago

It appears that greed is the primary motivator in the USA. Here in the UK, the NHS is not perfect, but it is great. Most first world countries have a nationalised healthcare safety net. I believe (and hope) that most of us do not treat this as a "free" service. We all pay into the pot. It is and should be respected and treasured.

@arthurelliott207 10 days ago

The health care system in America is absolutely eye watering but I love those doctors pads and motors

@angiesosuk5877 4 weeks ago

It is interesting to listen to your experiences. Very informative and I hope Americans watch your videos and realise that they too can fight for alternative health care services that improve not only their access to care but their wellbeing.

@mgnoodle2589 1 month ago

It’s also worth noting if you get two or more prescriptions per month you can get a pre payment certificate for about £12 a month and it covers all your medications.

@nickgoodall9492 1 month ago

I had a spinal chord stroke in 2023 aged 68. As a retired person I don't pay national insurance. I was in hospital for over five weeks. I had a spinal tap and the fluid tested for infection. I had three MRIs. I had X-rays. I had physio and rehab. I've been on daily meds of Pregabalin, blood thinners, B.P. medication and statins. I've had another MRI. I get follow ups with urology, physio and spinal care. The financial cost to me? Not a single penny.

@jennyk488 1 month ago (edited)

50 years ago I worked on a children’s ward in Wales. There was a colour television in the ward which had been given to the ward by an American family. They had been in the area, their child became ill & they were so grateful for the care he/ she received on the NHS that they bought the television for the ward. (Note this was 50 years ago nowadays every patient has a television sets on an NHS ward.)

@sarahwhoknowswhere 4 weeks ago

I loved this video. A good reminder to be greatful. The NHS isn't perfect but I feel relieved I live here

@Nick-mq9on 3 weeks ago

Well the Hospitals in US have two different charges. It's all inflated to start with, and then as an example if you with no insurance have a day in intensive care it might be a $4,000 bill the insurance companies might pay $800 as they have a special deal which consists of " We are only going to pay 20% of any bill, if you don't agree we will withdraw from your Hospital/ surgery/ Office and you won't get any more business from our insured folks".

@karengray662 1 month ago

This WAS interesting to hear. To me, it’s not just the money, like you pointed out, it’s the phone calls, chasing things up, the uncertainty & all of it. If you’re alone & unwell, who is going to do that for you?!