$10,000 for a $10 Blood Test

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

So, why is the ER doc happy to take $145 from an insured person, but gouges an uninsured one to the tune of $790?

For the same reason that a dog licks his balls (because he can).

[nailer]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

Yep.

Here's one example.

I had to take my wife to the ER recently.

Basically all the doc did was write a prescription.

I gave them all my insurance info, but of course it somehow didn't get processed. So a few weeks later I get a bill for $790 from the ER doc. saying we owe the full amount as we have no insurance. So I call them up and say "Hey" I gave that info to me. So they take it again over the phone. A few weeks later I get a bill for $145. The remaining $645 is written off as being above the allowed amount. So the bottom line is the insurance company paid nothing, but I get a "discount" of about 80% because I have insurance.

So, why is the ER doc happy to take $145 from an insured person, but gouges an uninsured one to the tune of $790?

It's because you're insurance protection payment is current. If you don't pay for protection you get a financial beating.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by nailer

It's because you're insurance protection payment is current. If you don't pay for protection you get a financial beating.

Exactly.

It's the same principle as the old time gangsters used.

[nailer]

Romans perfected it. Bunch of wolves if you ask me.

[4-2-7]

Originally Posted by nailer

It's because you're insurance protection payment is current. If you don't pay for protection you get a financial beating.

Originally Posted by nailer

Romans perfected it. Bunch of wolves if you ask me.

Oh so your going to flip flop like a flounder


And I though high cost was because of high demand for good medical care.

[4-2-7]

Originally Posted by 4-2-7

What you all fail to see is it's the insurance that has driven cost up. Any half wit can look back to hospital/medical cost prior to widespread insurance usage and see how low cost were. In the 30s & 40s people didn't really carry insurance and they didn't go bankrupt. It was a fair market that the consumer infused with their patronage. When you pull the individual consumer out of the transaction you loose the fair market. Hell my mom would call the doctor and they would do a house call for $5.00 and that was late 50s.

This carries over to more cost wherever Insurance is involved.

Since Insurance coverage exists and the consumer pays fees over time for medical. The medical industry can charge whatever they want because they are getting the money from the ponzi scheme. If it was only the medical service and consumer they would not have customers and no business with the prices they charge.

Originally Posted by nailer

As wrong headed as your precious metals economic theories.

The high cost of our medical care is a result of the inelasticity of the demand for good health. Most of us want good health and will pay whatever it costs to be rid of life threatening medical conditions. Reagan issued in a new age of unrestrained capitalism. The medical industry is doing what unrestrained capitalists do - maximize their profits.

And since this comment you fliped to the consumer is being husseled by extortion from insurance and medical.

[piece-itpete]

Our heath care system is 'free market' and 'unrestrained capitalism'? LOL!

A quick lookup cost comparison would be great.

Pete

[4-2-7]

Look at auto insurance..

You pay for coverage on a $30,000 car.

You smash up the front end and get bids for your insurance company.

Repair shops bid $22,000 for the repair because it's lower than replacement cost for the car so insurance company pay it.

Same scenario but no insurance...

The consumer goes in and negotiate the repair and gets a bid of $8,000 and then says I'll pay cash and gets a reduction to $7,000.

The repair shop will be out of business if they tried to charge the consumer what they charge the insurance companies.

[nailer]

I laid the protection racket scenario over TJ's example. Not economics dude.

The f/f is in your mind. (I just scared myself.)