I find this interesting.


Where would you draw the line then? How much do doctors deserve to get paid?

How often do you think the docs jack the prices up to greedily line their own pockets?

Do you think this is our biggest problem?

That is so misleading because you have not apportioned any part of the cost of your Blue Cross monthly premiums to that visit. If you are healthy and didn't need to see the doc anymore that year that visit cost you (or your employer) a WHOLE LOT more than $15.00.

It seems like I see a theme here... there is no standardization of compensation.

We have long since standardized a socket set that fixes our car.

Perhaps it is time to standardize health coverage compensation, instead of an every man/woman for him/her self billing policy set. (And let's let the greediest, brown-nosing doctors win...)

***********

Another thing I have noticed is a trend for doctors to often request the latest-greatest testing/operating/medical procedures. As with all technology (think home computers and the depreciation of computer technology) in 6 months or more the newest technology has become out-dated and is on the market for less money. And, as the leatest-greatest technology, it is the most expensive available, thus they can bill a newer and higher rate if they can keep up with the technological change advancements via conferences, trade papers, whate-have-you.

Instead of using the latest-greatest testing/operating/medical procedures, (EVERY TIME) doctors could just as easily use the older methods that cost less, ie., the "it ain't broke, why fix it?" methods. But it SEEMS the trend is to go for the latest technological advancements. Therefore, this keeps the medical process at a premium price.

As an idea....

The latest-greatest testing/operating/medical procedures could be standardized for price before being approved by the FDA for use on human beings. It could also include a depreciation value over the course of time, encouraging the invention of newer and better technologies.

The medical profession could learn something from the computer industry here. Let's take the Intel company for example. In order to thrive, they must produce newer and faster processor chips... constaly. Every month or every few months they come out with faster upgrades. They charge a premium price the market will bear, then as the newer technologies surface, the older technologies become less expensive.

Apply this to the medical profession. There are going to be people who demand the latest-greatest in technological advantages. They could be free to pay for it if they like, If insured, they pay a higher co-pay for that item if they choose to use it, but it has to give power AWAY from the doctors long enough to let the consumer decide. Part of the problem is that the doctors have too much power. They prey upon the unknowing public who is typically afraid of the unknown.

But by consultations, by pamphlets most can read, by simple education, clients can make good choices, too. Doctors are not the only people with brains. Actually, some doctors skimmed through med school on low grades, not every physician and surgeon (and nurse and medical professional period) got excellent grades in college. They are humans, not gods.

And if a client chooses to use a bit older technology to do the same thing, it should be available to him or her. It is their life, it is their hospital or medical bill, and their should be more power put in the hands of the medical consumer than we have today.

If health care costs were standardized coast-to-coast (like a socket set) it might help.

my 3 cents...

Let's see, this is a true story from last month. My insurance got screwed up, and thus denied initially (thank god it has been fixed since and everything back paid by the insurance).

went in for monthly doctor visit for my sons medication. He is on medicine that has to be prescribed every month, it can not be renewable.

15 minutes in the pediatricians office, letting her know the medicine was working properly and get the new scripts written: $130.00

script A: $160.00 (30 day supply)
script B: $160.00 (30 day supply)
script C: $17.00 (30 day supply and renewable three times)

Grand total per month is 467.00 plus tax and service fees

I just checked with my neighbor who is self employed, 48 years old, and has Blue Cross Blue Shield. His premiums are $ 389.00 a month which totals $ 4,668.00.
For the last two years his only Doctors visit was for yearly check ups.

If health care costs were standardized coast-to-coast (like a socket set) it might help.

Get real!!!
????????

Local markets set the price..Your standard socket set costs less in MS. than in California...

WOW! Your neighbor is getting a smoking deal!

I haven't worked in 3 years now and pay out of pocket $510 a month for my Blue Cross plan.....of course it's a Cadillac plan.

And that's about all I rack up in charges is my annual physical.

I really honestly do not know. It's just that what I see actually done doesn't fit the cost to me and to a lot of others, problem is that we don't' know where the money goes either, we don't know how the insurance company operates of how the doctor comes up with his fees.

I have been learning a lot about insurance companies this week and I don't like what I am hearing, but can't articulate it like I would want to.

Why does that just seem insane to me. Is it because I am almost 60 and it seems high? I could never ever afford that.

I will be 35 in February, and if it wasn't for medicaid, state paid insurance which I contributed to while working, I would ever be able to afford it either. And don't get me wrong, I do not begrudge the pediatrician or the meds; the pediatrician knows what she is doing and is willing to do what needs to be done, even if it isn't the "normal" routine. She believes in treating the patients no matter what. And my son does so much better when he is on them it is amazing. But hte cost is outrageously ridiculous.

An insurance company executive called people with muscular distrophy "dogs"

I have a friend that pays a lot less for Blue Cross. She doesn't get much coverage though and has high deductibles. She doesn't have the money to get better coverage though. Our state kicked her off Medicaid when our old Republican Governor said that anybody making over a few hundred a month couldn't get it anymore.

In 45 states insurance companies want to force women to be sterilized before they will provide coverage

$2000.00 a month, not covered by insurance, for my MS shots is the worse for me

Insurance companies are denying women coverage for being victims of domestic violence

Good thing for me I win those fights..and kick the dudes azz!!!

In 45 states insurance companies want to force women to be sterilized before they will provide coverage



An insurance company executive called people with muscular distrophy "dogs"

My fathers heart transplant was a cool million. Plus another $250,000 in hospital cost before and after the transplant.

A lady here that works her butt off almost 7 days a week had Signa. Boy talk about a worthless plan she had. She's going to die unfortunately, probably in a year or so. She can't work now, her insurance only covers checking if her problem is worse, but nothing more. It's a horrible thing to witness. She's decided she'd rather not even bother with the check ups, why go there to have them tell her over and over they can't help her. Bastards.. If they won't help her, give her the damn money she has been giving the damn insurers all this bloody time. Makes me furious.