For this and other reasons, it is very, very difficult (when not outright impossible) to make economic decisions regarding health care. Fortunately the majority of consumers are a few steps removed from actually bearing the financial burden of their choices, which doesn't exactly give them much of an incentive to care about making economic decisions...
Unfortunately, that majority of consumers is decreasing: the only reason we're in this situation is because she was laid off from a company that provided benefits and all she could find in the last year is making muffins for a startup coffee shop for $8 an hour. Incentive enough to at least ask some questions. I'll ask about the status of her billing account tomorrow when we're there, but I'm not expecting anything.
...in calling it 'fortunate'
Until people actually have the necessary information and incentive to make economic decisions, we're not going to see much improvement on the cost side.I'm sorry she and you are in this situation. One thing I didn't think of before is that, due to HIPAA concerns, they might not want to talk to you at all or be able to give you any information. But if she's there it's more likely they'll be able to help you out.
If you are from Betelgeuse, please have one of your Earth friends read what I've written before you respond. Or try concentrating harder.
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
This message last edited by Sareitha Sedai on 09/02/2010 at 07:26:29 PM
A question about medical costs
- 09/02/2010 02:49:49 PM
691 Views
I would suggest
- 09/02/2010 02:57:51 PM
505 Views
Re: I would suggest
- 09/02/2010 04:54:47 PM
395 Views
well, it'd be hard to say "oh it's usually this" for the whole industry
- 09/02/2010 05:04:47 PM
468 Views
But it shouldn't be.
- 09/02/2010 05:30:52 PM
490 Views
I don't think less opacity would change the price of the supplies much
- 09/02/2010 07:21:32 PM
326 Views
Yup
- 09/02/2010 05:13:02 PM
360 Views
Re: Yup
- 09/02/2010 07:19:47 PM
345 Views
I was being sarcastic
- 09/02/2010 07:24:28 PM
467 Views
the cost structure they use is so insane it would be almost impossible to guess
- 09/02/2010 03:04:09 PM
377 Views
Well hindsight is 20/20, but was the ambulance ride truly necessary? 
- 09/02/2010 03:34:39 PM
493 Views
- 09/02/2010 03:34:39 PM
493 Views