Biggest Medical Rip Off?

[fkj2]

A couple of years ago I had an x-ray of my knee and one of my lower back; two regular digital x-rays, what used to be called flat plate films. I had them done of a freestanding emergency facility owned by a hospital system. Aetna was billed more than $1800---and they allowed more than $1100 that went toward my deductible. I thought surely it was a mistake. The last I'd paid for this type of x-ray was around $50 several years earlier. Nope, not a mistake. Aetna told me if I'd only gone to a freestanding facility---not associated with a hospital---the x-rays would have been MUCH cheaper. An x-ray is an x-ray. There should be one cost paid by insurers. And the Aetna representative didn't care. Why would he? I had a $5000 deductible. Aetna was doing the hospital a favor because--I--was paying the full $1100. Win-win for the hospital and Aetna, who ultimately had no skin in the game at all.

As a result of ever increasing premiums I had to drop traditional insurance and enroll in a sharing ministry hoping I never have to use it. It's a small comfort, but at least I'm saving $10,000 by denying Aetna in premiums each year.

 

[Dakota731]

My 90 year old mother in law had some dizzy spells and her dr sent her for a CAT scan, an MRI and numerous heart tests. They all came back negative and he attributed it to medication side affects. The tests ran into the thousands of dollars, and I asked him why so many tests on an elderly woman, and he said if he doesn’t rule out everything he can be sued if something turns up later. He said he runs every test under the sun nowadays because of the constant threat of malpractice and he has to cover his behind.

 

[aprilchem]

When I was in the hospital having DS a lactation specialist came by and asked if I wanted a sample of Lansinoh (a lanolin cream). When we got our bill for my hospital stay I was billed $80 for the sample! It was a tube about 1/8 the size of the tube you can buy in the store for $15 or so. I fought that charge and they ended up talking it off.

 

[manning]

Then there is the CEO (not the one they put into jail) of a drug company who sharply increased the price of a drug. He said it was morally responsible. He was right..... to the stockholders. The hell with the patients. Sad.

 

[sophie832]

I've been going to the same dentist since I was a teenager. He and his wife run the business, and they are so great. But...he is out of network with my dental insurance. DH just had to have a root canal done, and the cost (not including the crown) was $1300. Since my dentist is out of network, the contracted allowance is only $700. The insurance pays 80% of that, which is $560. Which means we are left paying $740. Probably would've been cheaper just to pay out of pocket for it. We just finished paying the dentist almost $1000 for a bunch of new fillings DH needed. Sigh. I know we should just switch dentists, but it's so hard to find a good one.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My 90 year old mother in law had some dizzy spells and her dr sent her for a CAT scan, an MRI and numerous heart tests. They all came back negative and he attributed it to medication side affects. The tests ran into the thousands of dollars, and I asked him why so many tests on an elderly woman, and he said if he doesn’t rule out everything he can be sued if something turns up later. He said he runs every test under the sun nowadays because of the constant threat of malpractice and he has to cover his behind.

Unless the tests were ones that woud have a high risk of adverse health risks because of her age I would have just been happy that they were trying to look over thoroughly

 

[LilyWDW]

Steroid inhalers. I have to get them every Spring, and even with insurance it is $100 a pop.

My dad is on various heart medications, and thank goodness he is covered by my mom's awesome drug coverage. Saves him thousands a month.

I have had to live without my inhaler and without an Epi Pen for awhile now due to the cost. I should talk to my doctor about a new prescription now that I have better insurance and a HSA.

 

[pls5286]

Room and Board at the hospital. I just spent 7 days in the hospital because of a pulmonary embolism. They diagnosed it the first night in the ER. I then had to just hang out at the hospital having my blood checked once a day until my INR was 2. I got the EOB the other day and it was $35,000 for very little "Medical care", more or less just a bed and 3 TERRIBLE meals per day.

About 3 weeks ago, I went through the same thing, just a month after having a stroke. My bill was right around 36,000, which included ICU, step-down, then private room.

 

[Dakota731]

Unless the tests were ones that woud have a high risk of adverse health risks because of her age I would have just been happy that they were trying to look over thoroughly

There are risks with MRIs radiation wise and the anxiety and stress that she was put through for days was very high. This is a woman who has never been in the hospital or had medical tests in her life besides child birth. Doctors used to take a wait and see approach or try simpler things first but now they are too afraid of a lawsuit.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

There are risks with MRIs radiation wise and the anxiety and stress that she was put through for days was very high. This is a woman who has never been in the hospital or had medical tests in her life besides child birth. Doctors used to take a wait and see approach or try simpler things first but now they are too afraid of a lawsuit.

I'm just basing off your previous posts in this thread but if a doctor says "I'm only doing these tests, not for the wellbeing of my patient, because I don't want you to sue me" it's time to find another doctor.

MRIs always come with a risk no matter your age but it's more the number not the age of the patient. But being that you said she had "never been in the hospital or had medical tests in her life" I'm going to say that the chance of the one MRI she's had causing actual damage is likely very very minimal.

Anxiety and stress are something any patient can get. There are just times where that aspect for the health of the patient has to be overweighed. I don't like hospitals or doctors in a sense that I get somewhat stressed out; I'm not a fan of needles either. But lord help me I would have done just about anything to get relief from my food poisoning symptoms that sent me to the ER. My sister (3 years older than me) had to be pinned down to get shots and blood drawn (she used to kick the nurses too) and 3 valums to calm her down enough to get her wisdom teeth out. If there's something wrong with her and she needs tests the anxiety and stress will take a backseat at that point. I suppose the alternative for your mother-in-law would have been to ignore the symptoms and not seen a doctor if the stress and anxiety was too high.

 

[Hikergirl]

There are risks with MRIs radiation wise and the anxiety and stress that she was put through for days was very high. This is a woman who has never been in the hospital or had medical tests in her life besides child birth. Doctors used to take a wait and see approach or try simpler things first but now they are too afraid of a lawsuit.

No there aren't. Strong magnetic fields do not expose you to ionizing radiation.

 

[aml3679]

I got hurt at work a few years back and they sent me to the ER. They placed a 4" ACE bandage on my ankle and sent me a bill for over $200 for a "splint." An ACE costs around $5 - I fought and they took it off of my bill. It pays to ask for a copy of your bill.