Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

TikToker Balks After Hospital Wants More Money To Remove Five Stitches That Cost Him $1.9k

Man details the multiple costs of getting stitches and having them removed with the U.S. Healthcare system.
@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

TikToker @_sam_goodwin took matters into his own hands after discovering it would cost him even more to get his five stitches taken out after already spending a small fortune on them in the first place.

It's no secret to anyone that the U.S. Healthcare system demands a great deal from its patients. The wait times are often long to receive care, the care itself is often subpar, and the medical bills received are higher than in any other first-world country.

Having hidden fees, or expecting a service to be free when it isn't, is only rubbing salt in the untreated wound at this point.


But that's exactly what Sam Goodwin, of @_sam_goodwin on TikTok, recently experienced at the hospital.

After getting a small cut on his finger that he knew needed to be treated, Goodwin went to the hospital to receive stitches. All of the care centers in the area were currently closed, so going to the hospital or staying home were his only options.

The five stitches Goodwin received cost $3,800, leaving $1,900 for Goodwin to have to pay after his insurance kicked in.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Goodwin received inconsistent information from the multiple healthcare providers he interacted with when it was time to have the stitches removed two weeks later.

Goodwin scheduled an appointment with an Urgent Care center that was associated with the hospital he'd visited. But upon his arrival, he was informed that the stitches would need to be removed at the hospital since that was where he had initially received care.

The healthcare provider assured him, however, that the service would be free.

But after waiting in the E.R. for over two hours, Goodwin explained to the nurse what had happened at the Urgent Care center, and when he attempted to confirm that removing the stitches would come at no cost, the nurse regretfully told him that he would still be receiving a bill.

Goodwin reflected that he was fed up at this point.

"I said, 'That really sucks, because I already paid $1,900 to have that done, after insurance.'"
"And they said, 'That is absolutely ridiculous.'"
"I said, 'I know.' And then I said, 'Gonna be honest, I'm not gonna pay any more money to the hospital, because I already paid too much anyway. So I'm just gonna go. I think I might just remove them myself.'"
"They said, 'That makes sense, because that was so much money.'"

The nurse decided to help in the only way she could, by providing him with sterilized tools that he could use to remove the stitches himself, in addition to removing his information from the triage system, so he would not be billed for his visit that day.

But looking back, Goodwin was disgusted by what the experience taught him.

"That's healthcare in America. $1,900 will get you five stitches, and then nurses have to go behind the backs of the hospital to get you treated. That's pretty stupid."

You can watch the video below:

@_sam_goodwin

i hate american healthcare #fyp #foryou #universalhealthcare #capitalism #socialism #pleasefixthis

Fellow TikTokers were appalled as they described how much this would have cost in their country.

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

A few halfway joked that it would have been cheaper to visit another country altogether to receive care.

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

@_sam_goodwin/TikTok

Goodwin shared a response video after many people commented that he should have treated himself... with super glue.

"I've gotten so many comments telling me that I should have, you know, super-glued my wound myself and just not gone to the hospital in the first place."
"But I shouldn't be stuck with that option. I've got two options in this case, right? The first option is to superglue it myself and risk getting a gross infection into my bloodstream at home. And the second option, in my case, was to go to the hospital and pay $1,900, after insurance."
"It's messed up that there are so many people in my comments telling me to 'fix it yourself.' We shouldn't have to."
@_sam_goodwin

Replying to @alexfullthrottlez91 that said, will definitely be doing this next time haha

Those who receive universal healthcare complained about wait times, which Goodwin had a response for, as well.

A fellow TikToker commented:

"I was in a truck accident last week, and I refused to be checked by the paramedics because I'm afraid of the hospital bills."

Goodwin responded:

"People talk about national healthcare having super long wait times. But how long is this dude waiting? This dude's wait time is much longer than any other country."
"Because he didn't go. He's still waiting."
@_sam_goodwin

Replying to @theangryleprechaun1969 so sorry about what you went through! we need to do better!

Goodwin decided to follow some of the advice found in his comments section, so he's since requested itemized receipts of his recent hospital visits to see if the price of his medical bills can be reduced. At this time, Goodwin is not hopeful that anything will change, but he's committed to trying.

And who knows, if Goodwin keeps following the advice in the comments section, and he winds up needing stitches again, he might just go with the superglue plan next time, or offer to remove other people's stitches as a side hustle.

More from Trending

Donald Trump; Superman (2025) poster
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Warner Bros. Pictures

White House Blasted After Portraying Trump As Superman In Bonkers Poster Mock-up

The White House was mercilessly mocked online after it posted a revised poster for the latest Superman film that features President Donald Trump as the Man of Steel.

The latest big screen adaptation of the famed superhero comic, Superman, was directed by James Gunn and stars David Corenswet as the titular superhero, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film has received positive reviews and has already made an estimated $2.8 million from Tuesday previews for a total $21 million, including Thursday previews.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Charlie Kirk
Real America's Voice

MAGA Influencer Charlie Kirk Called Out After Blaming DEI For High Death Toll In Texas Flooding Disaster

Turning Point USA founder and MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk was harshly criticized after he claimed the death toll in the flash floods that have devastated central Texas "would not have been as high if it wasn't for DEI," ridiculously suggesting that principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion were responsible.

Kirk's comments are reflective of President Donald Trump’s broader push to dismantle federal programs focused on diversity and inclusion—part of what he pledged in his inaugural address would be a campaign to stop attempts to “socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.”

Keep ReadingShow less

People Reveal The Dark Secrets They Discovered About Someone After They Died

Sometimes you never know who someone is until they're gone.

Everyone has their secrets.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters; Hakeem Jeffries
Fox News; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jesse Watters Pathetically Tries To Burn Hakeem Jeffries With Bizarre 'Rule For Men' Rant

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was widely mocked after he criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for having recently shared a photo of himself on Instagram that appeared to be digitally altered—with the bench he was leaning against noticeably warped around his hips.

You can see Jeffries' photo below.

Keep ReadingShow less
Snoop Dogg
Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Snoop Dogg's Puppy Instagram Breaks Internet

Snoop Dogg introduced his fans to the newest little bow-wow in his household, a puppy named Baby Boy Broadus.

The adorable small tan French bulldog made his debut on the rapper’s Instagram account on June 28th, sporting a Louis Vuitton leash and chewing on his owner’s Death Row Jacket.

Keep ReadingShow less