@yeserbius
I don’t think the US system is terrible or expensive.
What is terrible is that insurance companies can’t sell policies across state lines.
I have a Medicare Advantage Plan issued by Connecticare. It is only sold in and available to Connecticut residents. My premium is the same approx $144 per month as regular Medicare Parts A&B.
I pay zero for visits to my primary physician. I pay $10 for specialists visits. I had two eye surgeries in September. I was responsible for a $100 co-pay to the Surgical center, ZERO to the anesthesiologist and $50 total to the eye surgeon.
Every hospital in the state accepts the insurance. I have never called to make an appointment with a new specialist and been told he/she does not participate. So far in 2021 the insurance has paid out more than $35,000 and my out of pocket costs have been about $200.
Shopping for and picking the correct plan is the key to better value.