$30,000 for outpatient procedure!!!! UNBELIEVABLE

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Sir NoddinOff wrote:
There are a shocking number of average old folks (myself included) who are simply trying to leave a little monetary legacy to their grown kids and grandkids. Ha, ha, the joke's on us. Guess what--- the medical establishment including most doctors, surgeons, drug suppliers, hospitals, healthcare administrators, unions bosses and everybody else in this massive racket are sucking our hard earned assets and property out from under us with a giant Hoover. I call them the medical robber barons. My sister's family has been all but destroyed by them. Also, in my desirable area on the West Coast, most of these people own hilltop mansions (literally) with ocean views, Ferrari sports cars and 20-something bimbo wives. (or bimbo boys for the female robber baronesses). It's sad and I don't know how much longer our nation can endure this racket. I've travelled alot and you don't see this much in any other countries. "

I'm just listening on TV that the top 1% have 48% of the nation's wealth while the bottom EIGHTY percent have FIVE percent of the nation's wealth. And almost half of the people in this nation ( and a huge majority of white males) believe that the problem in America is that the bottom has it too good and we need to make them suffer more and remove ALL the stuff that they are getting.

[jencat824]

Is there any other service industry that does not inform customers of the cost of service prior to delivery of service?

Yea, ANIMAL doctors (VETS). I take my dog in for annual shots and leave with a bill for $350. They don't ask if want something done. They just do it.

You might want to shop for a new vet. I was using a great vet practice that was growing into a 'mega-practice'. I have 10 cats & 3 dogs, I needed a more affordable solution than every time I walked in the door it was at least $250. I called around and found a vet with a great reputation. Her practice is in an older house, she doesn't have 'state of the art' waiting room facilities complete with 'paw prints' on the ceiling and does not offer boarding in a 'state of the art kitty condo', but she a a great vet. I decided I don't need all the frills, just a good vet to care for my 'family'. Now I take a cat in for a office visit of $39, vs $129. I love my new vet, she already know the cats I bring in on sight and is great at treating one of my cats that has a chronic, rather rare problem.

Just a thought,
Jen

[Bons]

The surgical center that we used last year did not participate with any insurance companies. They would bill an astronomical amount, knowing that the insurance companies would pay them 60% of the bill, and factoring that in so that the 60% would still give them a hefty profit.

We are hoping and praying for a healthy year, because the insurance that my employers have generously given me to replace the policy my husband lost has a $15,000 deductable. It gets us the medications and doctor visits we need, but heaven help us if we need tests or procedures.

[idamtnboy]

I have a few of those screws in me. I wonder if i can pawn it

If you ever get in the situation where you have a screw loose, you really will be in trouble!!!

[idamtnboy]

Personally, I don't know if I want to live to be 90+

After the doc told an 80 yr old man he was in perfect health, the guy asks, "Doc, do you think I'll live to be a hundred?"
"Do you eat red meat and fatty foods?"
"No Doc, I only eat wholesome organically grown foods."
"Do you smoke or drink alcohol?"
"No Doc, I don't smoke or drink at all."
"Do you carouse around with young women or stay out late at night with the guys?"
"No Doc, I live a very quiet serene life and behave myself quite well."
"Do you sky dive, climb mountains, ride motorcycles, or do any other dangerous sport?"
"No Doc, I said I live a quiet life."
"Then why the hell do you care if you live to be a hundred, anyway?"

[rested gal]

[Judith Murphy]

Hello all, Nubbie user here, just joined and have been looking through the posts. I have the solution - come to Australia. I'm sure we don't have the world's best health insurance system but it's got to be more affordable than the US. Hospital treatment is free in public hospitals (long waiting list though for non emergency service), thriving private hospital system. Interestingly my husband and I visited Vietnam 2 years ago. He got food poisoning and ended up in a Vietnamese hospital. Saw the nurse within 5 mins of entering, saw the doctor with the next 5 mins, stayed for 5 hours while tests were done, intravenious drip, monitoring condition and prescriptions. Total cost $250.00 Aussie dollars - now that's value. Couldn't have asked for better, more professional and thorough care. Cheers, Judy.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Judith Murphy wrote: "Hello all, Nubbie user here, just joined and have been looking through the posts. I have the solution - come to Australia. I'm sure we don't have the world's best health insurance system but it's got to be more affordable than the US. Hospital treatment is free in public hospitals (long waiting list though for non emergency service), thriving private hospital system. Interestingly my husband and I visited Vietnam 2 years ago. He got food poisoning and ended up in a Vietnamese hospital. Saw the nurse within 5 mins of entering, saw the doctor with the next 5 mins, stayed for 5 hours while tests were done, intravenious drip, monitoring condition and prescriptions. Total cost $250.00 Aussie dollars - now that's value. Couldn't have asked for better, more professional and thorough care. Cheers, Judy."

Will they force us to eat vegemite?

[ChicagoGranny]

Hello all, Nubbie user here, just joined and have been looking through the posts. I have the solution - come to Australia. I'm sure we don't have the world's best health insurance system but it's got to be more affordable than the US. Hospital treatment is free in public hospitals (long waiting list though for non emergency service), thriving private hospital system. Interestingly my husband and I visited Vietnam 2 years ago. He got food poisoning and ended up in a Vietnamese hospital. Saw the nurse within 5 mins of entering, saw the doctor with the next 5 mins, stayed for 5 hours while tests were done, intravenious drip, monitoring condition and prescriptions. Total cost $250.00 Aussie dollars - now that's value. Couldn't have asked for better, more professional and thorough care. Cheers, Judy.

I hope you will take all our complainers. Our health care system I can deal with. The complainers get to be a bit much.

[ChicagoGranny]

Personally, I don't know if I want to live to be 90+

After the doc told an 80 yr old man he was in perfect health, the guy asks, "Doc, do you think I'll live to be a hundred?"
"Do you eat red meat and fatty foods?"
"No Doc, I only eat wholesome organically grown foods."
"Do you smoke or drink alcohol?"
"No Doc, I don't smoke or drink at all."
"Do you carouse around with young women or stay out late at night with the guys?"
"No Doc, I live a very quiet serene life and behave myself quite well."
"Do you sky dive, climb mountains, ride motorcycles, or do any other dangerous sport?"
"No Doc, I said I live a quiet life."
"Then why the hell do you care if you live to be a hundred, anyway?"

Ain't that the truth.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

chicago granny wrote: "
I hope you will take all our complainers. Our health care system I can deal with. The complainers get to be a bit much. "

Let me guess, you've got Medicare, if the US complainers got medicare, they wouldn't complain

[ems]

chicago granny wrote: "
I hope you will take all our complainers. Our health care system I can deal with. The complainers get to be a bit much. "

Let me guess, you've got Medicare, if the US complainers got medicare, they wouldn't complain

I agree with you, JTM. There aren't many advantages in growing older... but Medicare sure is one of them!

[Judith Murphy]

Yep, Aussies have Medicare. And, anyway, WHAT'S WRONG WITH VEGEMITE!!!! I concur with others thoughts about not wanting to live too long. To be in a old folks home and have to have someone wipe my bottom and feed me baby food is not my idea of living.

[archangle]

You have no idea about the fundamentals of accounting or about what makes profit and loss.

Actually, you are wrong... at least about me. I work as a comptroller, so I do know a few things about accounting. I do not have experience in the non profit sector, but since DMEs write off the portion of the claim that they do not collect (the difference between billed amount and contract amount), I surmised that hospitals might do something similar.

Since you seem to be a medical billing specialist, why don't you tell us exactly what hospitals do with their accounting rather than simply saying that someone is wrong, which is not helpful in the least to the discourse?

They may write the "billed - paid" off on their books, but only if they write the full "billed" as revenue. If they bill $1000, and get paid $200, they're going to show it as a $200 net paid. They might put it in first as $1000 revenue and then subtract $800 as a write off, but they're not going to be allowed to show it as an $800 or $600 loss overall.

Our tax system is screwed up, but not that screwed up.

They might be able to play some games by listing the +$1000 in one tax period and the -$800 in another tax period, they're going to show a net $200 income.

Are you really saying a DME who bills $2000 for a CPAP and actually gets paid $800 gets to list a $1200 loss without also showing a $2000 gain?

[archangle]

BTW, everyone who gets one of these bogus bills or get an attempted rip off from the medical mafia really needs to write their elected representatives and complain that they need to eliminate these abusive practices.

Yes, the government will screw it up to some extent, but the system is severely broken already. If we all stand by and let it keep happening without complaining, the medical mafia will keep ripping us off, and especially ripping off the poor and the elderly. Don't wait until you or your loved ones end up on the street due to ridiculous medical bills.