09-29-2010, 03:28 AM | #1 |
Private First Class
20
REP 128
Posts
Drives: Z4 M Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northern California
|
$6,691 for 3 tiny stitches? Can't I get a nice e36 for that?
I was making a silly SuperSoaker grindhouse video when I crashed into the concrete. Had a little blood and caught it on camera at 200fps
Seriously, is this what healthcare has come to in America? Seriously? 10 minutes of work in a dirty hosiptal. Lazy nurses. And almost $7000 for a few minutes of work! I can't be alone in thinking this is outrageous right? Watch the Fail below...
__________________
Watch my short film "The Milkman" http://milkmanthefilm.com
|
09-29-2010, 07:54 AM | #2 |
Major
242
REP 1,292
Posts |
You have to pad the bills to cover for the truly free care provided to illegal aliens and the uninsured....
__________________
2022 M4 Competition ConvertibleDravit / Tartufo Full / Carbon Fiber Exterior...loaded
2020 X5:MW/Coffee Extended Merino, M Sport, B&W....loaded 2007 X3: Sapphire Black / Black loaded 6 speed Gone: M3 E93 Silverstone II over Bamboo |
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 01:55 PM | #4 |
General
559
REP 18,123
Posts |
That's what you get for wearing a trenchcoat and a super soaker.
__________________
Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics |
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 02:20 PM | #5 |
M Power
45
REP 1,469
Posts |
If you understood the way medicine works in the US, you would know that the charges have nothing to do with what the hospital collects. That bill is simply a wish, that is the maximum that the hospital wants to receive. What it gets is based on the agreement the hospital has with your insurance company, and they will likely receive less than a third of charges. One reason the fee is high is because, no hospital can turn anyone away, meaning most of who it sees has no way of paying for it. Hospitals have to make up for that by charging more for everyone else. If all people had insurance, the hospitals in theory could compete for everyones business, which would lower rates.
You haven't even received the bill from the ER physician yet. If you were so unwise as to not have insurance , you are screwed and unless you negotiate with the hospital/MD, they will likely try to collect the full amount. You are just beginning to realize that the health care setup in this country has gone haywire, many like you who have not needed to access the health care industry before now are starting to see how screwed up it is. Everyone is affected.
__________________
Last edited by Jaguar66; 09-29-2010 at 02:30 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 02:35 PM | #6 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
21
REP 1,519
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 03:12 PM | #7 | |
Colonel
60
REP 2,014
Posts |
Quote:
Someone who understands!!! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 03:18 PM | #8 |
Major
248
REP 1,247
Posts
Drives: E60 M5, E71 X6M, E46 M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: At the gas station
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2006 BMW E46 M3 'vert [0.00]
2008 BMW M5 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 [0.00] 2012 BMW X6M [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 [0.00] |
if you have no insurance then you are free to negotiate with the hospital and ER physician directly.
I would certainly expect the physician to take what amount you offer...I would start at about $300 and max at $500. If you call them and say the you have no insurance but are willing to pay today with a credit card, I can almost guarantee that they will take you offer. Use the same tactic with the hospital, but since they are a large bureaucracy it may be more difficult. Also, tell them you are willing to pay what medicaid rates are...which they also accept....why should you pay more than they would otherwise accept Also...next time DIY with ice and superglue
__________________
Current: 2006 E46 M3 'vert 6-sp 2008 E60 M5, 2011 E92 328 6-sp, 2011 E70 N55, 2012 E71 X6M
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 03:18 PM | #9 |
Lieutenant
48
REP 567
Posts |
Agreed, that bill is a wish. I would go to the hospital admin and offer to pay what an HMO would give them and not a penny more... About $2500. Stop by their office every other day, and at 4:45pm on Fridays and the day before a holiday weekend... Till they let you pay what you want.
Healthcare in the US is ridiculous because people are covering the costs for uninsured, indigent illegals, terminal patient care, etc. There are a few cases where I think a hositpal should be able turn away a patient... One is a motorcycle accident (FYI, I love motorcycles and scooters!) where the victim chose NOT to wear a helmet. The other is drug addict overdoses... You choose to do something that puts your life in critical danger, and well, you die, it's that simple. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 03:19 PM | #10 |
Wheelsucker
211
REP 1,280
Posts |
Also remember, if you go to the hospital for an injury, many tests are going to be ordered, some to diagnose the problems and others to cover the docs ass. Lawsuits are the reason for excessive care given. US is number 1 in MRI tests ordered.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 03:53 PM | #12 |
SYTFU Crew
36
REP 1,178
Posts
Drives: 2010 Toyota FJ
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
|
thats what superglue is for. slap yourself.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 05:06 PM | #13 | |
Brigadier General
837
REP 3,344
Posts
Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i;
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northeast
|
Quote:
You said it exactly. Hospital says a price - that price is negotiated down, often thousands of dollars. The bottom line, if you didn't notice on the bill, that $551 for the "actual" stitches, that's about as much as will be obtained for the visit. Also you have to ask, were any other studies done - xrays, CT scans, etc. Those things cost money too. The bottom line is that it's a shitty system for people with and without insurance, and is about to get a whole lot worse. 3 hours in and out of an ER in california is actually pretty good. Remember - sickest come first and if the doctor has to resuscitate someone, you have to wait. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2010, 05:10 PM | #14 |
Brigadier General
232
REP 4,726
Posts |
+1 to that, I got two stitches for something (only reason I went was because it was across my eyebrow and I didn't want one of those tough guys scars) and hey charged me 300 at the hospital. A few leaks later I got a bill for another 300$ from the physician. I was like.... wtf.
That's like going and getting an oil change, paying for it, and then getting a bill in the mail from the mechanic a few weeks later.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2010, 12:04 PM | #15 | |
Major
248
REP 1,247
Posts
Drives: E60 M5, E71 X6M, E46 M3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: At the gas station
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2006 BMW E46 M3 'vert [0.00]
2008 BMW M5 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 [0.00] 2012 BMW X6M [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 [0.00] |
Quote:
__________________
Current: 2006 E46 M3 'vert 6-sp 2008 E60 M5, 2011 E92 328 6-sp, 2011 E70 N55, 2012 E71 X6M
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2010, 03:35 PM | #17 |
M Power
45
REP 1,469
Posts |
Agree, IMO, this paradigm has allowed insurance companies to in essence "practice medicine without a license". When medical decisions have been removed from the doctor/patient by allowing insurance companies to agree to pay for what is/isn't being done, based on its own definitions of "standards of care", and especially the ability to deny care based on its own definition of "experimental procedures" it is dangerous.
Not even talking about cancellation of coverage when one is already sick, denial based on pre-existing conditions, etc. These abuses are shameful/immoral.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2010, 03:59 PM | #18 |
Brigadier General
2,066
REP 4,365
Posts
Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Iowa
|
I got 8 stitches in the bottom of my foot from running up a broken escalator in sandals in Barcelona. Not my brightest moment. I never got a single bill for it, and was treated right away. Only bad thing was I don't speak spanish so they cleaned it with iodine and no pain killers (although don't know why you would need it with just stitches)
Yeah, healthcare in US is outrageous.
__________________
2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP
2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded |
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2010, 04:23 PM | #19 |
Captain
83
REP 697
Posts |
So why is your face black? Is that the bruise?
__________________
'16 BSM 340i M Sport + Track Pack.:.M Perf Exhaust.:.Polished BBS RS-GT.:.JB4.:.BMS Intake.:.H&R Sport.:.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2010, 06:21 PM | #20 |
Private First Class
8
REP 165
Posts |
I feel you OP, another reason medical costs are so high is the insurance for the hospital/physician/tech...I had to get an mri done for reoccuring back pain and they wanted to charge me around 2k for it, on top of the nearly 30k price tag on hospital usage and surgeon fee for my back surgery. So what did I do being the broke single college student with no health insurance? Flew to japan, got my mri and surgery done with the same equipment and just as qualified staff as in the states, for around 2k USD...sad isn't it the state of the american medical industry
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2010, 11:27 PM | #21 |
Major
242
REP 1,292
Posts |
While it is a given that US health care is quite expensive, it is difficult to compare costs to those countries that utilize a social medicine system. While the patient is treated to low costs in health care, the bill is still "getting paid" in the from of an elevated tax base. This may be part of the reason, that a lot more people are paying $100,000 plus for an M3 and $8.50 a gallon for gas in other parts of the world.
I have experience with the German health care system. Did you know that the ER can make the assessment that you are not experiencing a true emergency and can turn you away from care with the recommendation that you follow up with your primary care provider? That is a great way to cut costs! This would never happen in the US. It would not be because the ER staff did not care, it would the ever-present threat of a lawsuit. A threat that is also not very common in other countries. Anyone ever consider what tort reform would do to the costs of health care? There is a large emphasis placed on preventative medicine in other parts of the world, which also trims costs. When the ER is not used a primary care facility, everyone wins.
__________________
2022 M4 Competition ConvertibleDravit / Tartufo Full / Carbon Fiber Exterior...loaded
2020 X5:MW/Coffee Extended Merino, M Sport, B&W....loaded 2007 X3: Sapphire Black / Black loaded 6 speed Gone: M3 E93 Silverstone II over Bamboo |
Appreciate
0
|
10-03-2010, 11:36 PM | #22 |
Captain
126
REP 695
Posts |
if you watched the video, it said that when he was younger, the hospital didn't do a good job cleaning up his wound and it got infected.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|