A Spanish TikToker, known as @david31glez, has sparked widespread discussion online after sharing the hospital bill he received in the United States for a broken bone. "This is what it costs to break a bone in the U.S. Today, I woke up to the expected but rather unwelcome hospital bill," he remarked in a video that has garnered thousands of views.
According to his explanation, a specialist consultation and an X-ray cost him $125, while the radiology services totaled $1,550. The most expensive part was the emergency room visit, lasting only three hours, which came to $1,858. An additional $23 was billed for pharmacy medications. Altogether, the bill amounted to $3,431. He humorously summed it up: "That's $3,431 for three hours, almost $1,000 an hour, feels like I went to play in Saudi Arabia. The silver lining is that I don't need surgery, so I won't have to mortgage my house to pay for it."
In the comments section of his video, @david31glez—who previously shared insights about his three-year experience in Miami, highlighting the weather, cultural diversity, and business opportunities, but also mentioning high rental costs, traffic, and public transportation issues—clarified that he has health insurance, significantly reducing his out-of-pocket expenses.
The video elicited numerous reactions on TikTok with mixed opinions. Many viewers criticized the U.S. healthcare system: "The U.S., the land of the free, free to die if you can't afford health insurance," one user commented. Another suggested, "It's more economical to return to Spain and get treated there."
There were also comparisons to Spain's public healthcare system: "Stop complaining and take to the streets to fight for our quality public healthcare," one user urged. Some tied it to political debates: "I hope this message reaches all those in Spain who support dismantling public healthcare," one commenter said, while another added, "Keep voting for the right-wing, keep doing it."
Questions about insurance also surfaced: "Why don't you have insurance, man?" one person asked. "Just get private insurance," another advised. Some even joked about the medication: "Well, the meds are very Spanish... I don't know, Rick."
Among the more skeptical reactions, a user accused, "What a fake, caught you red-handed," doubting the bill's authenticity. Others were shocked by the expense: "If that happened to me, I'd cry and have to sell an organ to pay the bill. What a disgusting healthcare system they have there."
The experience of @david31glez is part of a broader conversation on TikTok about the cost of medical care in the U.S. In August 2024, a Mexican woman shared her story of incurring over $3,600 in emergency bills. Months later, a Dominican woman revealed that a panic attack led to a debt of over $10,000. In September of the same year, a Colombian woman in Miami disclosed that giving birth to her daughter cost $29,000, though her insurance left her with a bill of slightly over $2,000.
Understanding U.S. Healthcare Costs
Why is healthcare so expensive in the United States?
Healthcare in the U.S. is costly due to factors like administrative costs, high prices for medical procedures and pharmaceuticals, and the complexity of insurance systems.
How can having health insurance help with medical bills?
Health insurance can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses by covering a portion of medical costs, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and medications.
What are some alternatives to high medical costs in the U.S.?
Alternatives can include seeking treatment in countries with lower healthcare costs, negotiating bills with hospitals, or exploring different insurance plans.