Is it any wonder the uninsured do not go to doctors? - Page 5

434Teresa · 11-22-2009, 01:25:00 PM

I cant pay for what they want just to cover me..its like $400 a month and they wont cover my breathing and acid reflux for like the first year and then they wont pay but like 50% on those things..so I might as well be one of the pre-existing uninsurable..to try to pay such a high dollar then it not cover the things i need it to is just crazy like the medical bills are.. its like I have to chose to pay insurance thats no good to me or pay that on the medical bills..some offices will give me a discount since i dont have insurance so i am sure to ask them....

tinabohio · 11-22-2009, 11:52:32 PM

When my friend was uninsured, she and I both went to the same GYN. We had identical services. She wanted to show me her bill and I brought out my EOB from insurance. They charged my insurance company 3 times what they charged her uninsured self. My insurance company paid more than she did for the services rendered (routine yearly PAP and such). Maybe it was because it was a doctor through a county run facility, or it was somehow billed based on her income. I was shocked at the discrepency and figured out why our insurance has gone up and up and up in premiums. That friend now has health insurance through work and is happy to have it, but confused at why the doc is charging more.
We pay a big amount, but with the kids and DH having a thyroid disease, it's easier to keep coverage and pay, than let it drop and get other coverage and not have his stuff covered.

auctions · 11-23-2009, 06:00:26 AM

Originally Posted by tinabohio

When my friend was uninsured, she and I both went to the same GYN. We had identical services. She wanted to show me her bill and I brought out my EOB from insurance. They charged my insurance company 3 times what they charged her uninsured self.

There is another side to this story. My OB, when I was not insured did everything he could to keep my cost low. However, not the case with doctors I did not have a relationship with. For example, the ER. The ER has a negotiated rate of like $250 for an ultrasound with many insurance companies. That's what the insurance payed 2 times when I had an ultrasound during an ER visit. However, When I visited the ER without insurance the ER charged ME $1,300 for the same type ultrasound. And anyone wonders why the un-insured can't pay their hospital bills?
The whole thing is a racket. These common medical procedures should have price tags attached, prices for everyone. If the hospital can live with only getting $250 for an ultrasound then they should charge everyone that- not 5 times more for someone who does not have a panel of lawyers negotiating contracts behind them.

cbms · 11-23-2009, 06:05:38 AM

Typically, there is a maximum amount that the insurance company will pay anyway-regardless of how much they're "charged." My insurance company is charged much more than they'll pay for my daughter's cardiology visits. The cardiologists accept the payment as payment in full because it's what they've negotiated. Period.

MaryMary · 12-08-2009, 09:10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Liz

Originally Posted by MaryMary
Years ago I visited my father in the hospital. When I came closer to his room I notices someone near the opened door, writing something in my dad's chart. He turned out to be a resident assigned to my dad: didn't even cross the threshold, barely glancing at my dad as he scribbled, never mind coming closer and say hi to his patient.

I'm not sure what point you're trying to get across here? Residents cannot bill for services.

So all residents work for free? The hospital pay their salary just because?
Resident does not bill for services as a visiting doctor, but the hospital bills for an attending physician.

anyway, my point is:
residents are there to acquire experience and skills, apply knowledge received in medical school. That's include bedside manners. The only skill can be gained from my example above is how to cut corners. Yes, very suitable for new health care legislation because doctors will not have time for anything else.

CW&M Mom · 12-08-2009, 11:34:29 AM

Residents with a bedside manner??

I call them pretend doctors. The best inpatient my son has ever had...was the time we were on a floor with no residents

I realize they should be learning...but man we either get ones dumber than mud...or they have the ego the size of Mount Everest.

MaryMary · 12-08-2009, 12:14:55 PM

Originally Posted by cori n wes mom

Residents with a bedside manner??

I call them pretend doctors. The best inpatient my son has ever had...was the time we were on a floor with no residents

I realize they should be learning...but man we either get ones dumber than mud...or they have the ego the size of Mount Everest.

Years ago I had to bring my then 5yo DD to the emergency with persistent high fever. The supervisor asked the resident who was assigned to our case if he took a staph culture from DD's throat, the conversation took place right at the patient's stretcher. He said he did, but set to do it only after the supervisor left...

do not want to smear all of them with a broad brush, but some are truly unacceptable.

Liz · 12-08-2009, 01:33:47 PM

Originally Posted by MaryMary

So all residents work for free? The hospital pay their salary just because?
Resident does not bill for services as a visiting doctor, but the hospital bills for an attending physician.

anyway, my point is:
residents are there to acquire experience and skills, apply knowledge received in medical school. That's include bedside manners. The only skill can be gained from my example above is how to cut corners. Yes, very suitable for new health care legislation because doctors will not have time for anything else.

Residents are in training. They do not have full licsenses and are only allowed to practice under the supervision of a fully licensed M.D. or D.O. They are paid, crappy wages, but they are paid, and part of the whole medical training is subsidized by tax dollars.

Again, residents cannot bill for services. From that visit, no bill was generated--not from the resident, and not from his attending.

Residents with a bedside manner??

I call them pretend doctors. The best inpatient my son has ever had...was the time we were on a floor with no residents

Yep, lets just paint them all with broad strokes as just sucking. That's complete bull****--and you know it. Spending decades in a teaching hospital as a patient, I've never had this issues that you complain of with residents. So please keep such ignorant comments to yourself.

RosieG · 12-08-2009, 02:59:25 PM

Wow. Reading this thread made me realize how lucky I am. I had major spinal surgery (2 level fusion) in June to the tune of $60K+ and everything was paid in full by my insurance company. I had previously paid $1200 OOP due to cataract surgery in both eyes. This was covered by our flex spending account. In Sept I had emergency gallbladder surgery, again paid in full. I don't remember the particulars but it was pricey because it was on the weekend.

I really feel for those without insurance or those with inadequate coverage. My adult son was without insurance and had liver surgery. He will probably be paying on that the rest of his life.

My bills were paid at a negotiated rate and greatly reduced. His were billed as having no insurance and slightly reduced. There is a great inequity in the entire system. Hopefully, one day all this will be equal for everyone.