Comments on: Welcome To My World http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/ Firedoglake weblog Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:29:31 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Jim H http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-939112 Jim H Mon, 03 Sep 2007 01:01:15 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-939112 <p>I know what you’re talking about, Jane. I had Blue Cross in 2001, as an individual. $2,500 deductible. Then my chest started hurting. It took me a while until I faced the facts and called 911. They came. $600. They were right out of Rescue 911, firemen, and very pro. But then they asked me, what hospital? I said, sweating, what’s closest? They took me to Hospital B. Bzzt! Wrong answer. My bill for the heart attack was $28,000. They decided they’d pick up $14,000. Double deductible because it was a non-participating hospital. And then the co-pays and god knows what else. So the hospital started calling me twice every day, asking when they’d get the $14,000 I owed them. My chest still felt like somebody jumped on it. I came up with about $8,000, and they decided that would be enough. Then assorted specialists, and the firemen, dunned another couple of thousand out of me in pieces. </p> <p>It’s like the medical system is being run by the Three Stooges. It’s got to stop.</p> I know what you’re talking about, Jane. I had Blue Cross in 2001, as an individual. $2,500 deductible. Then my chest started hurting. It took me a while until I faced the facts and called 911. They came. $600. They were right out of Rescue 911, firemen, and very pro. But then they asked me, what hospital? I said, sweating, what’s closest? They took me to Hospital B. Bzzt! Wrong answer. My bill for the heart attack was $28,000. They decided they’d pick up $14,000. Double deductible because it was a non-participating hospital. And then the co-pays and god knows what else. So the hospital started calling me twice every day, asking when they’d get the $14,000 I owed them. My chest still felt like somebody jumped on it. I came up with about $8,000, and they decided that would be enough. Then assorted specialists, and the firemen, dunned another couple of thousand out of me in pieces.

It’s like the medical system is being run by the Three Stooges. It’s got to stop.

]]> By: Greup http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938597 Greup Sun, 02 Sep 2007 20:04:31 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938597 <p>My mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. 6 chemotherapy sessions, 25 radiak treatment sessions,lots of tests, medicines, and meetings with doctors. Her total bill will this year 130 dolllars for medication and 250 dolars for doctors. She has to travel by car 120 km to the hospital for which she is payed a certain amount of cash to cover the gas. Since she lost her hair she even gets a vig. </p> <p>Once again its not in the US but in Sweden. Yes we pay a bit more taxes but on the other hand we get this back when we need it.</p> My mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. 6 chemotherapy sessions, 25 radiak treatment sessions,lots of tests, medicines, and meetings with doctors. Her total bill will this year 130 dolllars for medication and 250 dolars for doctors. She has to travel by car 120 km to the hospital for which she is payed a certain amount of cash to cover the gas. Since she lost her hair she even gets a vig.

Once again its not in the US but in Sweden. Yes we pay a bit more taxes but on the other hand we get this back when we need it.

]]> By: Noor http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938560 Noor Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:40:32 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938560 <p>Jesus, Jane! I think I’d've had a major coronary upon opening that flaming piece of tripe! {{{{{Jane}}}}}</p> <p>Are you on tap for Michael Moore’s sequel to SiCKO? Not that he’s doing one to my knowledge, but if he is, your case should be in it.</p> Jesus, Jane! I think I’d’ve had a major coronary upon opening that flaming piece of tripe! {{{{{Jane}}}}}

Are you on tap for Michael Moore’s sequel to SiCKO? Not that he’s doing one to my knowledge, but if he is, your case should be in it.

]]> By: CalGeorge http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938508 CalGeorge Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:03:45 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938508 <p>It’s time for Universal Health Care.</p> <p>This is insane!</p> It’s time for Universal Health Care.

This is insane!

]]> By: Dianne in DC http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938333 Dianne in DC Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:52:27 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938333 <p>Jane and all<br /> You should check out Leroy Sievers blog at npr. Go to NPR.org and click on My Cancer. There is a wonderful support group in those who post to the comments.</p> Jane and all
You should check out Leroy Sievers blog at npr. Go to NPR.org and click on My Cancer. There is a wonderful support group in those who post to the comments.

]]> By: Watson http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938325 Watson Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:44:12 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938325 <p>The solution to the impact of astronomical malpractice insurance rates on health care is two-fold: </p> <p>1) deal with doctors who are repeatedly or recklessly negligent through loss of license and criminal penalties rather than through the tort system; and </p> <p>2) provide health care, home care, and occupational support for all of our disabled, not just for those who are ‘lucky’ enough to be injured by someone with a deep pocket.</p> The solution to the impact of astronomical malpractice insurance rates on health care is two-fold:

1) deal with doctors who are repeatedly or recklessly negligent through loss of license and criminal penalties rather than through the tort system; and

2) provide health care, home care, and occupational support for all of our disabled, not just for those who are ‘lucky’ enough to be injured by someone with a deep pocket.

]]> By: cbb http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938314 cbb Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:29:13 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938314 <p><a href="#comment-938308"><em>Greup @ 232</em></a></p> <blockquote><p>No that was not the US,it was Sweden and we have universal healthcare.</p></blockquote> <p>Yep. I’ve landed in ERs in France and Switzerland and my bills were nominal.</p> Greup @ 232

No that was not the US,it was Sweden and we have universal healthcare.

Yep. I’ve landed in ERs in France and Switzerland and my bills were nominal.

]]> By: Greup http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938308 Greup Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:20:59 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938308 <p>A friend of mine broke his knee up in the mountains last spring. He managed to get to the nearest hut, got hold of a helicopter which transported him to a hospital. Cost: 0.</p> <p>He then had multiple x-rays, an operation where they fixed the knee properly, rehab 3 times per week with a professional, for basically 6 months, and a large amount of painkillers. Cost: 6$ per night while hospitalized, about 150-200 $ total before he hit the ceiling for medical costs/year.</p> <p>No that was not the US,it was Sweden and we have universal healthcare.</p> A friend of mine broke his knee up in the mountains last spring. He managed to get to the nearest hut, got hold of a helicopter which transported him to a hospital. Cost: 0.

He then had multiple x-rays, an operation where they fixed the knee properly, rehab 3 times per week with a professional, for basically 6 months, and a large amount of painkillers. Cost: 6$ per night while hospitalized, about 150-200 $ total before he hit the ceiling for medical costs/year.

No that was not the US,it was Sweden and we have universal healthcare.

]]> By: cbb http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938304 cbb Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:18:37 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938304 <p>Don’t pay it. It’s marked “not a bill.” It’s not unusual to get those and when you receive the actual bill, it may be lower. That was true in my case.</p> <p>However…I had emergency surgery to remove my gall bladder and, a year later, emergency surgery on both my knees following an accident. I am self-employed and have maintained the best insurance possible with Kaiser for many years. My deductibles were only $500. So, I’m grateful for that — although I spend $600 a month for the damn coverage.</p> <p>Nonetheless, all kinds of other copayments, especially on rehab, combined with a huge slowdown in my work to recover, landed me in bankruptcy court.</p> <p>Oh, and, as it happens, the surgeon botched my knee surgery — ON BOTH KNEES — and I have to have it again!</p> Don’t pay it. It’s marked “not a bill.” It’s not unusual to get those and when you receive the actual bill, it may be lower. That was true in my case.

However…I had emergency surgery to remove my gall bladder and, a year later, emergency surgery on both my knees following an accident. I am self-employed and have maintained the best insurance possible with Kaiser for many years. My deductibles were only $500. So, I’m grateful for that — although I spend $600 a month for the damn coverage.

Nonetheless, all kinds of other copayments, especially on rehab, combined with a huge slowdown in my work to recover, landed me in bankruptcy court.

Oh, and, as it happens, the surgeon botched my knee surgery — ON BOTH KNEES — and I have to have it again!

]]> By: a guy with AIDS http://firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938303 a guy with AIDS Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:17:06 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/01/welcome-to-my-world/#comment-938303 <p>welcome to my world.  <br />  </p> welcome to my world.  
 

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