Wacky Hosp/Doc. Question

**FreesiaE** · 09-07-2007, 03:03 PM

So, here's my weird question, is the scenario true of American health care: Mary X goes to the hosptial for some issues, is charged $5,000, insurance picks up 80%, leaving Mary X with $1000 to pay. She is on a limited income and cannot. She settles with the hospital for $300, a $700 difference.

Suzy Q goes to the hospital for a minor procedure and is shocked upon looking at the itemized bill for $1500 that Advil are $5, her overnight in a room was $700, etc..

Suzy Q will pay it, but wants to clear up some things first. When she asks the hospital why in the world the prices are so high, she's told it's because patients like Mary X do not pay what they owe and therefore the costs have to be appropriated to those who do pay. Essentially she is helping to foot Mary X's bill.

Is this an acurate view of healthcare in the US? Any hospital workers know?

**DAAC3DEC** · 09-07-2007, 03:08 PM

SAD BUT TRUE, I WORK FOR A VERY LARGE HOSPITAL AND YOU NAILED IT ON THE HEAD!!!!!!!!!!

**FreesiaE** · 09-07-2007, 03:17 PM

Wow. I feel sad and angry at the same time for some reason, even though Suzy Q isn't a real person!

**ktsmama** · 09-07-2007, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by FreesiaE

Wow. I feel sad and angry at the same time for some reason, even though Suzy Q isn't a real person!

I agree. If the hospital settles for the $300.00, then they should eat the rest.

If my sis owes me 500.00 and I agree to take 250.00, I am not going to turn around and ask my mom to pay the other 250.00.

I truly believe that the American health system really needs to be overhauled.

**DAAC3DEC** · 09-07-2007, 03:29 PM

TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, AND I WORK FOR A "NOT FOR PROFIT" HOSPITAL!!!

**Jaded** · 09-07-2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by FreesiaE

So, here's my weird question, is the scenario true of American health care: Mary X goes to the hosptial for some issues, is charged $5,000, insurance picks up 80%, leaving Mary X with $1000 to pay. She is on a limited income and cannot. She settles with the hospital for $300, a $700 difference.

Suzy Q goes to the hospital for a minor procedure and is shocked upon looking at the itemized bill for $1500 that Advil are $5, her overnight in a room was $700, etc..

Suzy Q will pay it, but wants to clear up some things first. When she asks the hospital why in the world the prices are so high, she's told it's because patients like Mary X do not pay what they owe and therefore the costs have to be appropriated to those who do pay. Essentially she is helping to foot Mary X's bill.

Is this an acurate view of healthcare in the US? Any hospital workers know?

Yes, but it was also explained to me that not only are you paying for the medicine, but for all the services and supplies associated with providing it. Like at a grocery store, you are also paying for the staff and facilities with the price of groceries.

Think what goes into giving a patient an Advil...it has to be ordered, stored in the pharmacy, prescribed, sent up to the nurse's station by the pharmacy staff, put onto the patient's chart and kept in the meds station, nurse has to bring it to you, give it to you, and keep an eye on you for any reactions or complications. Is that worth $5 to you? It's a lot more complicated than just buying Advil at home, and taking a couple of pills. Imagine the paperwork alone involved in giving a patient Advil.

Also, who else is going to pick up the slack for the ones who don't pay? So many hospitals are going out of business because no one pays, and can you imagine how much it costs to keep a hospital going?

I know that doctor's overcharge insurance companies also, because I got the bill from my insurance for what my GYN billed them for a 20 minute visit, and it was over $800!! They do it so that they will get 100% of what they actually want to be paid for the visit. It's a bunch of bull, but that's the medical system.

**Jaded** · 09-07-2007, 03:49 PM

Also wanted to ad, but it wouldn't let me edit:

The cost of a room includes the staff salaries, laundry and housekeeping, and a whole list of other stuff, down to the deodorizer in the bathroom and the wax used on the floors. Honestly, how did you think all of this got paid for? The liability costs alone for running a hospital are unbelievable!

I don't think there are any hospitals getting rich nowdays. I'm just thankful that there is one in my community that I can go to, whether I can afford to pay up front or not. There is now NO public hospital in the city I moved here from. If you have no insurance, you have to drive to the next town, and they are only required to stabilize you and send you home. The ambulances charge you DOUBLE for taking you across county lines.

**FreesiaE** · 09-07-2007, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Jaded

Think what goes into giving a patient an Advil...it has to be ordered, stored in the pharmacy, prescribed, sent up to the nurse's station by the pharmacy staff, put onto the patient's chart and kept in the meds station, nurse has to bring it to you, give it to you, and keep an eye on you for any reactions or complications. Is that worth $5 to you?

First let me say, dang, the cyberspace ate my first reply post; hope this one sticks. Anyhow, it is not worth $5 to me. If you are going in for a procedure that you know about ahead of time, talk to your doctor/surgeon about the meds you routinely take and take them with you if allowed! There is no reason pay for something you can put in your purse and tote along! I've done it before. No problems. I also wouldn't hesitate to take OTC pain relievers with me and if offered 500mg Advil, to take my own Advil from my bag.

**annymoll** · 09-07-2007, 04:54 PM

What nurse or physician wants to monitor, and take professional liability, for patients bringing in and dosing theirself with meds from home?If you have a one time reaction to meds pulled out of a purse and administered, who is responsible? It could be a nightmare. Bully to those who would allow it, but I would not want the responsibility.

**FreesiaE** · 09-07-2007, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by annymoll

What nurse or physician wants to monitor, and take professional liability, for patients bringing in and dosing theirself with meds from home?If you have a one time reaction to meds pulled out of a purse and administered, who is responsible? It could be a nightmare. Bully to those who would allow it, but I would not want the responsibility.

Sure, if it's already part of your treatment regiment, why wouldn't it be allowed? It's not dosing yourself if it's a prescription they already wrote, you take consistently, and is in the original bottle. I'm just continuing with my prescribed therapy.

**amecoy75002** · 09-07-2007, 09:45 PM

I take daily inhaler for asthma and an emergancy inhaler, plus 6 pills a day. I bring all my meds and the hospital lab inspects them and returns them in a special box from which the nurse administers them to me. Only thing I keep is my emergancy inhaler - I NEVER go anywhere without it! Having to have the medicines checked out by the hospital lab is a pain and I do pay a small fee (25 - 50 per hosiptal visit) but doing this I have saved hundreds of $$$ when hospitalized.

We did this for my DH also a few months ago when he went in for heart problems . He takes 8 pills a day if they only charge $5 per pill (Trust me, prescription meds cost more than $5 per pill!), it would have been $40 per day. He was in for 3 days - would have been over $120 for meds versus the $50 fee we paid.

**annymoll** · 09-07-2007, 10:49 PM

If the doc is aware, and gives it the ok,no problem. Most are kept at the NS and dispensed, not pulled from a purse at random.I would let your healthcare provider know each time you self medicate.

**trishh** · 09-07-2007, 11:04 PM

what if your husband lost his job of 27 years and no insurance and wife is disabled. the health care system is so out of reach for one of us. we wont go to a hospital. we have lost almost everything. i don't think there is anything free out there and because of just this post i have to much pride to go to the hospital and let anyone eat the cost because i can't pay. when i got disabled i was at work. i didn't sue and i can't work anymore i have tried. my husband found a job and after 2 weeks on the job there was an accident and he was hurt and guess what they fired him because of the cost of medical bills that he will have. there is no answer we americans need to take health care to the highest form of goverment and not stop till everyone is insured and has meds covered. we pay some of the highest taxes in the world and yet we don't take care our own. we pay the gov officals it is time they do a job that everyone on tv and radio complain about. health care and the rising costs are out of the poor mans reach. why?

**ravenmaniac** · 09-07-2007, 11:36 PM

I'm going to get on my knees and thank God me and my family are healthy. The healthcare situation is sad.

**karone** · 09-08-2007, 02:49 AM

i had a natural birth at home with merrick. we were transferred to the hospital. while i we were in the hospital i was in hardly any pain. when i got out my mom didnt pay for any of the scrips b/c she is a nurse and told me how much to take. i actually didnt really need it b/c the only time i was in pain was when i was on my feet for to long (grocery shopping or cleaning). unfortunately b/c we didnt have the money to pay the hospital bill i had to sign up for hcap (dont remember what it stands for) but basically the state had to pay. last month i got a letter from the place where we go and it said that b/c they were understaffed they could no longer see merrick or me. so now i have to find another place to go to.