How does a single-payer healthcare system handle costs for surgeries, and what's the patient experience like compared to private insurance?
Last Updated: 20.06.2025 13:07
Different countries have different systems. For Sweden (and probably others as well) it can also be differences between counties.
For Sweden it would depend if it’s emergency surgery or if it’s planned. I’ve had both types.
I came into the emergency room with an ambulance and they quite quickly figured out the pain I felt came from an infected gallbladder. So off to surgery I went. The cost was 100 SEK a day in hospital (about $10.50). The rest was covered by the general insurance. Now they have increased the cost to 130 SEK.
The waiting room at the private clinic was a bit nicer, but I didn’t notice any difference in the care I got. Possibly the wake-up room at the hospital was a bit better, but considering my condition at the time it’s difficult to know for certain.
I also had a hernia operation. That was via a private clinic so they charged an outrageous 375 SEK (about $39). It was a quick one. I get in, go under general anaesthesia, have the surgery, wake up and go home.