<p>I just wanted to clarify something. Self-insured folks and uninsured people with assets subsidize people who are insured through a group program. We self-insure and pay Kaiser $1430/month. Kaiser bills a government worker (for example) at about $650/month for the same insurance. And the government pays most of that premium so the worker might pay $175/month.</p>
<p>If you are uninsured and have assets (house, bank account, etc) you will be expected to pay full-freight. For example, I was charged by a non-profit hospital $475 for some lab tests. They claimed they gave me a discount because I was uninsured; however I had the identical lab work done later at a for-profit lab company and they charged me $250! </p>
<p>If you are uninsured and have no assets, then yes, those of us with insurance or assets will be subsidizing you. However, group insurance programs put pressure on hospitals to accept low reimbursement. So the hospitals and insurance companies seek to recoup costs from people who do not have the power of a group behind them. (i.e. self-insured and uninsured with assets).</p>