Primitives dance the socialism tango:OK, point blank. Somebody has to say it...

[asdf2231]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4772675

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:20 PM
Original message
OK, point blank. Somebody has to say it: Professionals, Doctors (dentists, Veterinarians, Docs...)
and all of you all out there...

You are not going to be able to charge what you have been charging anymore. There.

I said it.

Sucks, right?

I know.

But you know what? My dog's shots (5 year old jack mix) aren't worth your 150.00 price anymore.

My root canal for a thousand bucks? Think again.

$500 dollars after deductible for a checkup? Go **** yourself.

Welcome to the new economy; you all will have to adjust just like we do--- and we don't give a flying rat's ass.

natrat (1000+ posts)        Mon Jan-05-09 08:22 PM
Response to Original message
1. you are a complete idiot

 

jody  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:29 PM
Response to Reply #1
8. "complete idiot"! I don't agree but he's making tremendous progress toward that goal. n/t

 

JFN1  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jan-05-09 09:24 PM
Response to Reply #1
74. I think the OP has it exactly right.
 And I thank him for saying it. He merely points out the reality of our current economy.

Retail stores do it - the whole concept of a "sale" is to charge less for the same product/service. When the tire company down the road offers free installation with tire purchases, they are discounting the fees they charge to perform a service.

So why are "professionals" any different than the rest of us, especially when many professionals are just hacks with a license? Why do they deserve special treatment? They already make a ton more money than the average citizen does for their work - isn't that special treatment enough?

And I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been screwed over far, far worse by so-called professionals, than I ever have been by a retail store...and just try to get a lawyer in trouble if he screws you over. Do you know who judges a lawyer's misdeeds? OTHER LAWYERS, of course. And the same goes for doctors, you know...so give me and the OP a break. Professionals get enough special treatment - they don't get a pass on this...the rest of us sure don't.

keepthemhonest (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 10:37 PM
Response to Reply #74
97. It's the insurance companies that are making out
 It is comparable to going through a store picking out everything you want and then telling the person at the register what you are wiling to pay.That is how I see it.It may look like the doctor is charging alot but when it comes down to it the insurance makes out in my opinion.They even tell the doctors what type of procedures or what type of pilla they are willing to pay for, i think they have it a litttttle backwards and I don't see MD after their name.Oh I guess you could always have your neighbor do your pap smear since docs are quaks ,right? getting down off soap box

sorry I just happen to work for some really good docs that do offer discounts to selfpaying individuals.

rvablue  (1000+ posts)      Tue Jan-06-09 01:23 AM
Response to Reply #97
128. Alright, I read your argument, but how does my reality square with it:
 I don't have dental insurance.

I had several problems that I had gone years without treating.

I was paying in cash. I was going to do whatever the doctor told me to do.

And I paid the $1,100 total for a root canal that took an hour.

And you know what?

I knew they weren't going to have to deal with an insurance company. Wait for payment. Do all of the paperwork.

And so I asked for a discount. Nada. Nothing. Not a single freaking cent.

Dentists and the like make shit loads of money. Do they pay a lot to go to school? Yes. So did I. But I will never make anything close to what they are making.

$1,000 for one hours work when you are in a profession meant to help people is ridiculous.

SoCalDem  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jan-05-09 08:24 PM
Response to Original message
3. Our cats are all indoorsies, and only associate with each other
 so we quit the vaccination stuff a long time ago.. If they are sick and have to go to the vet, I usually do end up getting them a vaccination because every time they GO to the vet, they seem to catch something there..even though I never take them out of their carrier..must be in the air

The sad thing about doctors, is that many of them have EXTRA expenses due to all the paperwork they have to fill out, and the extra people they have to hire to help them wade through it..I'm not so sure they actually keep all that much more themselves..

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:28 PM
Response to Reply #3
6. our vet built a "ponderosa" for her and her husband
 two years ago, and cut her employee's hours.

We went to a new doc immediately.

 

Mika  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:34 PM
Response to Reply #3
16. That's why I don't do insurance.
 If the patient wants to use theirs, they can do the phone and paper work.

My rates vary according to the patient's ability to pay.

One thing taught at a prestigious dental institute on Key Biscayne is that when it comes to billing rule #1 is to check the parking lot to see what kind of car the patient is driving. I am not shitting you.

 

SoCalNative (394 posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:28 PM
Response to Original message
5. So don't get your animals vaccinated at the vet
 there are plenty of monthly clinics offered at local pet stores and elsewhere by vets that provide shots and other medications for a fraction of the cost of a vet visit.

Sounds to me like you just need to find a job that has better insurance benefits.

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:30 PM
Response to Reply #5
11. Both of our jobs have the best bennies out there
 and are pretty secure. You do the detective work here.

With that said, take a leap. If you haven't figured out this economy, you are too stupid to talk to.

We ARE capable of thinking of others---are you?

Given the retarded narcissistic   nature of this thread THAT is pretty damn funny...

SoCalNative (394 posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:32 PM
Response to Reply #11
14. I doubt you have the best "bennies" out there
 if you have a huge deductible for medical costs.

LostinVA  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:12 PM
Response to Reply #14
61. I know his wife has the best bennies out there

 

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:17 PM
Response to Reply #61
65. you rock
 

And we do.

Happy new year!

 

Occam Bandage  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:43 PM
Response to Reply #11
26. If you're paying $500 after deductable for a checkup, your "bennies" suck. nt

Dude! Don't be tracking reality all over the place! 

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:56 PM
Response to Reply #26
40. oh let's see. I am actually not
 quoting another DUers thread.

But it's SO WRONG OF ME TO GIVE A DAMN ABOUT PEOPLE WHO'S BENEFITS SUCK!

whatever. Read DU. Educate yourself.

 

Occam Bandage  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:12 PM
Response to Reply #40
62. You just said your root canal cost you a thousand dollars. Your benefits suck. nt

 

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:15 PM
Response to Reply #62
63. Root canal of a tooth that was broken off below the gum line
 and crown.

OK, it was actually about 900 bucks.

Tell me you did better.

Occam Bandage  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:25 PM
Response to Reply #63
75. That's a pretty significant procedure.
 Certainly more so, in my eyes, than a transmission repair on a car.

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:33 PM
Response to Reply #75
83. OK, so.. ..... hmmm now my benefits don't suck???
 Now, go tell someone with less money, and less bennies that they need to

SUCK IT UP> PULL THEMSELVES UP! It's a bootstrap mother****er! Or go without a tooth, dumbass! **** YOU, my kid has loans to get through dental school!

Please, I beg of you...go spread your message. Please

hlthe2b  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:29 PM
Response to Original message
9. hmm... I just paid $650 for brakes, $1500 for new furnace, plus
 $200 for the electrician to update my circuit box. My food bill has quadrupled, though we eat as simply as is possible to eat and rarely go out. But, even a casual lunch out for me alone has increased by at least 3 fold. Which leads me to ask, JanMichael, what DO YOU do for a living? As you say, YOU (and everyone else you didn't include in your little tirade) may not be able charge or profit as much...!

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:33 PM
Response to Reply #9
15.
 believe me, I don't make as much as you probably--- and my raises are set.

We can't "charge" anything....wife is a librarian...and let's just say...I am watching all this, OK?

Barista?

JerseygirlCT  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:58 PM
Response to Reply #23
44. You don't seem to place much value on their skills
 skills only obtainable with pretty thorough training. Which costs plenty of time and money.

Now, if we had a universal system, in particular a single-payer system, those with the ability could be schooled at far less expense, subsidized by the gov't. Then they'd probably work for less - though they wouldn't have to support huge staff numbers just to shuffle the paperwork of insurance companies.

Look, I'm not a doctor, or related to one, for that matter. (Wish we had one in the family, actually). But I've talked to them, and known about their situations. And I just don't think things are as simplistic as you're painting them.

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 09:39 PM
Response to Reply #44
86. Ummmm wife... former paramedic.... Tons of masters degrees 
 in the family. Wife back in grad school now.

Oh, we are just so damned privileged! GOSH! We can screw people in the new Amerika! And you guys are going to LOVE it!

 



 

[Splashdown]

You think any of them will ever figure out that it's the government regulation that keeps prices inflated?

Naaah. Too easy.

[Carl]

You can thank trail lawyers and juries who thought income redistribution throught malpractice cases for much if not all the costs of healthcare.

It was socialism at its finest and the result is always the same..a very few benefit greatly while the misery is spread to the rest.

[franksolich]

I dunno about some of the claims of the primitives.

I have private health insurance, which I've had for ages, and it has a high deductible ($5,000, 80/20 after that), no prescription, dental, or optometry coverage.

My goal is to NOT use this insurance.

I have to see a dermatologist more often than I'd like to.

I pay him in cash (actually, a check) right there on the spot, whenever I see him.

Because I pay him at the time service is rendered, and there's no paperwork, I get a discount.

I dunno what the going rate for dermatology is, but in this case, examination and mole removal (usually by frozen nitrogen), no matter the number of moles, runs me $85.

I have no idea how that compares with usual charges, but I suspect it's a big discount.

[Tantal]

JanMichael  (1000+ posts)      Mon Jan-05-09 08:20 PM
Original message
OK, point blank. Somebody has to say it: Professionals, Doctors (dentists, Veterinarians, Docs...)
and all of you all out there...

You are not going to be able to charge what you have been charging anymore. There.

My dog's shots (5 year old jack mix) aren't worth your 150.00 price anymore.

Sure, DUmmie. Because quality, low-cost veterinary care is another RIGHT that you asshats just came up with. If you can't afford a pet, don't get one. Fracking Idjits.

[Zeus]

I dunno about some of the claims of the primitives.

I have private health insurance, which I've had for ages, and it has a high deductible ($5,000, 80/20 after that), no prescription, dental, or optometry coverage.

My goal is to NOT use this insurance.

I have to see a dermatologist more often than I'd like to.

I pay him in cash (actually, a check) right there on the spot, whenever I see him.

Because I pay him at the time service is rendered, and there's no paperwork, I get a discount.

I dunno what the going rate for dermatology is, but in this case, examination and mole removal (usually by frozen nitrogen), no matter the number of moles, runs me $85.

I have no idea how that compares with usual charges, but I suspect it's a big discount.

Dang Frank except for a catastrophic occurrence you'd be money ahead with no insurance. Naturally if you rarely have the need to see a Dr. a high deductable may be a way to save.

I pay $315/mo or so premium for myself & 2 dependants. $40 copay per visit. Most meds covered under the premium and so far the ones not are available at walmart for $4 for a months dosage. various preventive care visits per yr for the price of the premium(annual eye exam, annual physical,etc)

Used to only pay $20 copay and reduced the monthly premium . some folks actually complained about that until they were schooled in what it meant to their pocket book in the long run.

medical Insurance costs are high but if one does the research they can find a policy to fit their needs & pocketbook

[franksolich]

medical Insurance costs are high but if one does the research they can find a policy to fit their needs & pocketbook

I've never bothered with prescription coverage because I don't do pharmaceuticals.

The only prescription I've used the past ten years was for some sort of pencillin to combat what's usually a woman's problem; they were big enough to serve as suppositories for bison, just really enormous.  Cost a mint, too, $300, but averaged out over ten years, well.....

No dental coverage, because I've always taken care of the teeth, and so just need the routine cleaning, at $48 per year, paid in cash (actually, check) at the time service is rendered.

No optometry coverage, because no problems here with that.

So much for good health keeping insurance premiums low, but I suspect the bigger factor here is my offer to immediately pay the bill at time of service, causing no problems for the physician or dentist other than the time and trouble of putting the money in the bank.

Now, admittedly, I'm running a risk here; I might develop something really bad, something really expensive, unexpectedly, and to pay for it would be an onerous burden.  Only God knows what the future holds, and I could be in a pretty mess tomorrow.  But I suspect the odds are against it.

For those with a spouse and dependents, I wouldn't recommend anybody do what I do, but I can take risks.

[USA4ME]

The JanMichael primitive is from NC and lives somewhere near Boone, NC (Appy State).  Lots of livestock, etc in that area with all the local farmers.  I highly doubt if his former vet cares if he and his scumbag wife moved on.  Probably got tired of having to track them down for payments anyway.

.