What the hell, Healthcare

I'm so livid and I feel like I can't trust medical Healthcare whatsoever. I pay $350 per month to insure myself and my family. Our deductible is low and we don't utilize much in the way of Healthcare. I was deliberate about what they offered because we couldn't chance loads of unexpected expense. My frustration is that there's all this talk about evidence based medicine and this bullshit. I think health plans intentionally hide their services and fees. They don't get rich by actually paying for care.Our second child is on the way. The OB scheduled a 20 week ultrasound. That's the norm right? AAFP says it's evidence based, reduces the risk of negative outcomes because medical teams can anticipate and preempt any issues with development or even check the baby's growth progress, placement of the placenta, etc. We didn't go just to have fun with digital images.Lo, we get a bill. $350 for just the imaging. I read and reread my contract. It says, explicitly, that patient responsibility is $0 for "routine obstetrics".I called Killer Kaiser to get the info. They said, "it was diagnostic" . I said, "No it's screening, our provider ordered it because it's the thing you do. There were no concerns." The idiot on the phone had the gall to say, "Oh ya, you know elective imaging is not usually covered." Instantly I respond, "You cover mammograms once every two years in women over 40. Do you know why? Screening is effective, just like 20 week ultrasounds. The doctors order them for the same reasons." But after an hour I realized I was just running up against a brick wall. I have no power or worth to anyone, not my doctor, not my health plan.I feel so miffed. It's just one of many examples. These systems (government, health plan, employers) have no qualms about exploiting every last cent out of you. We worked so hard to budget for our life with kids, and we are under unbelievable stress trying to keep up with our skyrocketing local taxes, payments and debt, and I feel like I made a mistake in choosing a supposedly better insurance, in buying a home, and even (at times) having kids. I don't feel like there's any institutional support, but that I'm supposed to just grin and bear it all the way to bankruptcy.I feel like I'm breaking down and have no help. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2Fesijg