India, Jan. 23 -- While the US offers high wages and "easier" living in some respects, the cost of an emergency can be eye-watering. Indian expat Parth Vijayvergiya learned this firsthand after an ice-skating mishap landed him in the ER. His viral breakdown of the $1,800 out-of-pocket expense for a short visit has resonated with thousands, sparking conversations about the "double-edged sword" of high-income Western jobs and the private spending required to maintain a basic standard of safety.

"Healthcare cost in US real-life incident," wrote Parth Vijayvergiya. In a video, he says, "Many say that America is expensive, I stay here and I will give you an example to explain how it is expensive."

He then shares how he had to visit the ER af...