Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

I just read this entire thread and now really like my doctor. He never hurries. You can ask him any question. You can get in to see him the same day you call if you are sick.

Without getting political, I hope the US finds some way to work out our health care system. I don't know the right way, but this way just isn't working.

romanojg

The problem is that no matter what the US finds there are others out there trying to get more than they deserve. I'd be broke if I had to make an appointment for each little thing I was being seen for. I have to go at least every 6 mos to get checked, blood levels, etc or my doctor fusses at me. I go in with a list of all of my concerns and we go over each one of them. He said he was glad that I brought my list in and that I research any areas that I am concerned with. He has two offices and he's stretched thin so to be able to get all of the questions answered in one visit makes it easier on him and me. I would never change my doctor; everything is serious to him until proven otherwise and I never have a problem w/my bill.

pjnesler

This is so true - I always double check since we are all humans, and the billing is handled by humans and we are not perfect, mistakes can be made. :hunf: :hunf: The first example of this in my lifetime was with the birth of my second son - I went over the bill line by line, plenty of stuff I didn't know what it ment, but figured it was OK - - UNTIL I got to the part of being billed for 2 CIRCUMCISIONS! Definatly an error - an easy one for billing to see and take off the bill. Ever since then, I'm even more careful to make sure I go over the bills, but it is hard when you don't get the detail bill for so long, and the terminology is hard to understand. I've sat down at the computer to GOOGLE items on the bill that I wasn't sure what they ment. :hunf:

barri1

Yes, it's not unusual for us to not accept copayments on some visits, but we still have to put it down as income.. We are obligates by law.. I sure hope your docs are doing it, as the insurance companies, and the IRS will tell you this..
There are many times when we don't charge patients, as there are too many people that are falling through the cracks, and have no insurance, and can not afford to see us.. We also try to get as many samples of meds to give these patients...
Barri

arimuse

I don't think any dr in the USA is going to bed hungry. Here is a basic primer on how billing for medical service works in the USA.
1. there are no set fees or charges for anything. the cost of a service is based on what ins you do or dont carry. If an ins pays 100% for a service, the charge is higher. If the ins pays a % the cost could be lower. I pay at 80% of the cost of any service my dentist charges for at 100% because I carry no ins and pay cash the day of service - 80% is what an 80/20 ins pays -(usually a good BC/BS plan)
2. all ins companys are only accepted by the provider of a service if the provider can make an acceptable deal with the ins co.(there is no rule that a provider has to accept any ins you carry) So, if a provider is giving you an MRI he sets up a base cost, say 1200$. One "deal" with one ins co may say, you can only bill for 800$, the rest is a write off(so 400$ of charge is thrown out and no one pays it). Your bill is now based on 800$ instead of 1200$, your ins coverage is 80/20. You may or may not have a copay, and the ins will pay for 80% of 800 and you owe the balance. Or, your plan might be a 70/30, or 50/50. I've seen plans where on a 1200$ MRI the ins company will only "allow" a 200$ charge (FYI - this is a great plan!) Usually gov't employess had - not have, some things change- these great plans (my MIL had BC/BS from the federal gov't- she worked for the IRS from the 60s forward - she never paid anything on bills)
3. if you have NO ins, YOU will be paying a 1200$ bill! You, who can least afford it will be charged the cost the highest stated base. If you can afford to pay cash always ask up front what all the charges for a service will be (if they state soemthing you dont want or need tell them you do you dont want that)and what kind of deal you can make for paying cash.

I drove my brother to an ER because he thought he was having a heart attack,( he had no ins - long story here, but they told him, after giving him 5 nitro tabs in 3 hrs he had high blood sugar but his heart was fine!!) He got the bill for 1500$ and I went to the billing office and said I d go to the bank and come back with cash if they wanted but I wanted a reduced rate and they took the bill went to the back and came back and said it would be 920$ cash.

so, when you can run a bill from 200 to 1200$ I stand by my staement that no dr in the USA is going to bed hungry- sharet

mommafank

How many of you remember the good old days when you only had insurance for hospitalization? Went to the doctor and he charged you for the visit and you paid for it. If you needed to you paid part now and part later after payday. All meds were paid for out of pocket instead of co-pay. You cannot convince me that the change in payment system did not have anything to do with the increase in charges. If my insurance did not charge an arm and leg I still would not mind to pay the doctor for each visit provided it was reasonable------say 50.00 a visit. Bet the doctor would not have to hire so many people to handle all the paperwork involved in the billing process and might even end up better off. I also would not mind paying for my meds if they stuck to the old school drugs that are proven over and over to work and at least we actually know what kind of side effects we might expect. Those old drugs are cheap and most can afford them even today. It is the new ones that are so expensive.

barri1

I agree with you 100%.. I remember my doc making house calls, and on a Sat he walked to the house 3 miles, as he was an observant Jew.. He also charged what he thought you could pay..
As for the older drugs working.. You are correct.. I did an eight year study on drugs for hypertention.. The end result was the cheapest drug was the most effective.. Hydrocholthiazide (HCTZ) worked the best.. This was a NIH study called Allhat.
Barri

pjnesler

Good info to remember - and pass on.....- - - - -> :thumbup: Thanks

iamsuthern2

never had this happen to me. i frankly would call the md and tellhim i wasnt paying for 2 visits see if it is a mistake.

mummadee

Never heard of such thing. It's ususally all covered in the visit. Is this a Georgia thing?