11 Comments
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SheThinksLiberty's avatar

My doctor? What doctor?

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Katherine's avatar

Totally.

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Depswah's avatar

Get back to the Shaman, Witch doctor, Curanderos, Alchemist, Medicine of yester-year; Live longer, healthier and free of medical indebtedness and harassment!

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Abigail Starke's avatar

So true! I’m sorry abt your wife’s situation :(

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Eric Coppala's avatar

I’ve worked in anesthesia for 20 + years. I’ve been a patient as well several times. The doctors’/surgeons’/proceduralists’ fees are small potatoes compared to the “ facility fees”. I don’t go to hospitals unless I’m dying or can’t get the care I need in an outpatient setting.

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Eric Coppala's avatar

CL, the difference between hospital facility fees and a outpatient surgery center is usually extreme. I needed a cysto with laser prostate done 2 years ago. The hospital system that I worked in for nearly 17 years wouldn’t accept my insurance( an indemnity policy) as I left the group anesthesia practice and went solo. Private insurance was prohibitively expensive so I found a cheaper alternative. I spoke with the billing office prior as I needed to know what I was in store for. Outpatient case lasting 60-90” with general anesthesia was 38K, if I had a participating insurance plan. I instead got the “ reduced “ cash rate of 9K. The hospital still profited, just not as much. Next time you need a procedure ( surgery, colonoscopy, etc)A. Find out what the price is if you don’t already do that, opt to have it done in a same day facility( always cheaper).

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Courageous Lion's avatar

So the $1800 the anesthesiologist charge me for his services is small potatoes?

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Eric Coppala's avatar

Comparatively, yes. Billing for anesthesia is based on a time unit system. The longer the case, the more expensive. Also factored in is commercial insurance vs Medicare rates. Commercial typically pays better. I realize it’s a lot. I received a similar charge for my most recent EGD& colonoscopy. Actually, in that situation, anesthesia gets better compensation than the gastroenterologist that does the procedure.

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James Jones's avatar

Want to stay healthy, stay away from Doctors. Eat real food get outside and stay active!

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Courageous Lion's avatar

When I was first examined by my Nurse Practitioner at the age of 68 she wanted to know what medications I was on. My answer was NONE. She was like, WHAT? Who is your doctor? I said I don't have one. The one I had was getting to nosey with wanting a social security number and after I refused he wouldn't deal with me anymore. He was quite the jerk.

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Myriam's avatar

Good for you! I’ll be 66 next month and take no medications. I do take herbs, homeopathy, adaptogenic mushrooms, and eat a very clean, anti-inflammatory diet. I also weight train several times a week, take dance classes, play tennis, practice and teach yoga, bike ride and have no aches & pains or “diseases.”

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