Re: Hospitals Hose Uninsured: For Herman


"George Conklin" <georgeconklin1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"George Conklin" <georgeconklin1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Tonight's 60 Minutes on CBS gave the case of the uninsured
when
they
hit
a
hospital for care.

Hospitals keep their list prices secret so you cannot
comparison
shop.

You or I can call any clinic at any hospital and request the
cost
of
a
visit/procedure. It is readily available through the business
office.
In
fact, it is often encouraged.

The program said that in fact for in-patients such a list is
not
available easily or at all.

I didn't see the program so I only have your post to respond to.
As
for
inpatients, the social workers on any inpatient unit are responsibe
for
this
very task. Not only can they get you prices/costs but if yhou
can't
afford
to pay, they try to figure out ways to assist.

Then they charge everyone the same, but offer automatic
discounts
to
insurance companies, but bill the uninsured the full amount.

It's like a large family of 12 buying in bulk from Costco or
Sam's
Club
vs.
an individual going to the local supermarket. The large family
gets
a
discount due to volume.

I know the excuse. We all do. Cash customers get hosed.

Do you understand the concept of bulk purchasing?

In a labor-intensive situation, there is no such thing as bulk
purchasing.

Bulk purchasing exists just as does the Statue of Liberty.
Contracts -
large ones - are negotiated b/w hospitals and insurance carriers.
Insurance
companies are often in a power position for such negotiations and have
been
forcing lower and lower payments for services. Same with clinics.
It's
actually *illegal* for two different practices to even
discuss/disclose
the
terms of their contracts with another practice, although the insurance
company has free access to what contracts the practice has with other
insurers.

You want some change? Start with loosening the stranglehold of
insurance
companies over the medical community which is helping drive healthcare
costs
upward.



The insurance companies are the only group which is helping to control
costs, but I admit quite poorly and at some point the upward spiral of
fees
for doctors and hospitals must stop. However, the AMA has been very,
very
good at keeping medical pay at the super-premium level.

Physician reimbursements decreased 4% last year thanks to congress and
will
decrease another 2% next year and 2% the following year. But don't let
facts stop your verbal diarrhea.

Reimbursements are still too high.

I'll read that as, "wow, I didn't know that piece of information and I guess
I was wrong".


.

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