>and the common practise is that insurance companies are paying double of what private patients are paying.
>
>Hmmm. I read my EOB's very carefully every time I receive medical care. And what I have seen is that the providers bill both the insurance companies and the private patients a horrendous amount of money. However, because the insurance companies have agreements with the participating providers, they (the insurance companies) pay a lot less that the billed amount and the providers write off the difference. My understanding is that if I did not have insurance, I would be responsible for paying the amount billed since I do not have the same agreement with the providers that the insurance company does. This is my biggest gripe about health insurance in this country.
>
>Since you seem to hate the US so much, it is very fortunate for you that you do not live here....

+1