Here's how much it costs to be bitten by a rattlesnake in America

Holy unpayable medical bills, Batman.

Here's how much it costs to be bitten by a rattlesnake in America

Smug Europeans already know that the United States' medical system is ludicrously expensive - but this bill for a snake bite is truly unbelievable.

Todd Fassler, a San Diego man, shared his medical bill with journalist Dan Haggerty after being bitten by his pet rattlesnake while taking a selfie — a costly mistake.

That's $83,341 on drugs, $22,433 on lab work, $38,991 on rooms, $5,564 on the vaguely-named "emergency care", $1,423 on the even vaguer "therapy", $947 on radiology, and $462 on whatever "special services" are.

But at least they gave him two weeks to pay the $153,161.25, right?

Fassler got his injuries while taking a selfie with a rattlesnake he picked up from the bush in the wild. Apparently, he had his own pet rattlesnake for over a year - but its wild cousin didn't appreciate the attention.

Warning: his injuries may distress some readers.

ABC 10 News in San Diego reports that Fassler's wounds could have killed him, and he used up the anti-venom stores of two entire hospitals to pull through - which might explain a tiny fraction of that whopping medical bill.

Incredulous readers of social sharing site Reddit could hardly believe the high costs, with medical workers who read the site explaining that the costs are highly inflated for negotiation purposes, and the payable amount is likely to be far lower.

But at least Todd has learned his lesson, right?

... well, no, it turns out, as a video taken shortly after his release from hospital shows him poking his pet rattlesnake to set it free (because the thought animal control services might be unhappy to find it).

With nerves to steel like that, he could have a career in wildlife TV.

And he just might need the extra cash.

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