Had emergency surgery recently. Just got the bill from the hospital. We need sin

[Freeper]

Coventina  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed May-19-10 10:28 AM
Original message
Had emergency surgery recently. Just got the bill from the hospital. We need single payer!
   
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad HCR passed. I think it's an important first step, but we have a loooong way to go.

Here's my story: I just had a miscarriage a few weeks ago, and it was what the medical community calls a "missed abortion", meaning that my body just did NOT want to give up on the pregnancy, even though it was over. Medication didn't make my body expel it, so after a week I had an emergency D & C. A very simple, straightforward procedure, done at the hospital by my regular ob/gyn on a Sunday night (at her recommendation). It's not even really "surgery" since no actual cutting of my body ocurred. Although it was done under general anesthetic in the OR.

Here's the bill I got in the mail yesterday from the hospital:

Pharmacy - $178
Pharmacy IV - $200
Sterile supply - $245
Laboratory - $45
Chemistry - $25
Hematology - $111
Urology - $86
Pathology - $250
OR Services - $5786
Anesthesia - $1096
Drugs - $600
Recovery Room - $2790

Total - $11,413!!!!!

For a D & C?!?!?

I just had my follow up with my ob/gyn yesterday, and she reported that the amount she will get paid for the procedure is about $200!

I'm just praying that my insurance will cover most of this. Lately they've been very grumpy with me and denying a lot of claims. I've had a run of bad health luck lately.

What provisions of HCR have taken effect? Can they drop me for costing them too much any more? Also, when do lifetime maximums go away? The paperwork I get from my insurance company still shows my lifetime maximum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8367291

I thought the bill that Pelosi Reid and Obama passed was supposed to fix that. That's what I get for listening to them I guess. 

[CC27]

They have insurance and they still bitch.

I was in the hospital over night in February and i have no insurance. Bill came to 11,000 dollars also. Financial aid lady got in touch with a private charity and they paid the whole bill. This DUmmie can go piss up a drain up.

I thought i would be paying a small monthly total to pay it back. Never thought the whole bill would be paid for.

[JohnnyReb]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8367291

I thought the bill that Pelosi Reid and Obama passed was supposed to fix that. That's what I get for listening to them I guess. 

Taxed now...receive later...2014 I think....and that's also your lifetime allotment.

"We have to pass it to find out what's in it"......or not in it.....

D&C: DUmb and crazy.

[crockspot]

Yep, most hospitals have stashes of charity money that is used to pay the medical bills of those who cant. Hospitals also pump their bills way up before billing to insurance, because they aren't privy to the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay for something in particular, and they dont want to get shorted. So typically they bill five times what they may actually collect from the insurance company. DUmmy should wait a month or two before bitching.

[Freeper]

Taxed now...receive later...2014 I think....and that's also your lifetime allotment.

"We have to pass it to find out what's in it"......or not in it.....

D&C: DUmb and crazy.

It stuns me that Pelosi could say something like that and still have a job. If a conservative said something like that they would be part of the 9.9%.  

[jukin]

Had emergency surgery recently. Just got the bill from the hospital. I need someone else to pay!

FIXORD for truth.

They just don't get the fact that single payer will do nothing to bring the cost down. In fact, it will do nothing but increase costs.

[Freeper]

Had emergency surgery recently. Just got the bill from the hospital. I need someone else to pay!

FIXORD for truth.

They just don't get the fact that single payer will do nothing to bring the cost down. In fact, it will do nothing but increase costs.

Yeah but the costs will come out of our pockets (the people that work) not theirs.

[The Village Idiot]

Hey DUmmie, YOU are that single payer.

[DumbAss Tanker]

The operation was greatly complicated by the fact they had to work around your torso, being as how your head was still firmly up your ass, DUmmie.

[The Village Idiot]

Yeah but the costs will come out of our pockets (the people that work) not theirs.

The McDonalds dollar menu becomes the Six Dollar Menu etc

[Freeper]

The McDonalds dollar menu becomes the Six Dollar Menu etc

That will encourage people to eat healthy food. 

[thundley4]

Yep, most hospitals have stashes of charity money that is used to pay the medical bills of those who cant. Hospitals also pump their bills way up before billing to insurance, because they aren't privy to the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay for something in particular, and they dont want to get shorted. So typically they bill five times what they may actually collect from the insurance company. DUmmy should wait a month or two before bitching.

They also bill the insurance companies more, to also make up for the money they are losing to Medicare, and Medicaid.

[zeitgeist]

Sometimes words fail me

Here's my story: I just had a miscarriage a few weeks ago, and it was what the medical community calls a "missed abortion", meaning that my body just did NOT want to give up on the pregnancy, even though it was over. Medication didn't make my body expel it, so after a week I had an emergency D & C. A very simple, straightforward procedure, done at the hospital by my regular ob/gyn on a Sunday night (at her recommendation). It's not even really "surgery" since no actual cutting of my body ocurred. Although it was done under general anesthetic in the OR.

Missed abortion?  I have been told that sometimes the D&C was a convenient way to bill for an actual abortion an insurance wouldn't cover or which was at the time illegal.  Anyone know if that is right? 

Then too it always costs more to work on the plumbing when it is burried inside just ask any plumber.

[thundley4]

I wonder if the DUmmie posted the standard "I'm seeking sympathy" thread after her "miscarriage"?  If she had a miscarriage, surely she would have sought sympathy from the DUmmies.

[Doc Savage]

Sometimes words fail me

Missed abortion?  I have been told that sometimes the D&C was a convenient way to bill for an actual abortion an insurance wouldn't cover or which was at the time illegal.  Anyone know if that is right? 

Then too it always costs more to work on the plumbing when it is burried inside just ask any plumber.

That is correct.  I do not believe that practice is done much anymore, because legal abortions are available.  However, if abortion becomes illegal, it will start again.  And don't forget that a catholic heath care institutions could revenue off of a procedure that if called by another name is not allowed to be performed.

[vesta111]

I wonder if the DUmmie posted the standard "I'm seeking sympathy" thread after her "miscarriage"?  If she had a miscarriage, surely she would have sought sympathy from the DUmmies.

Thunley, we had a woman at work that was hospitalized for 6 weeks in a physic ward.  Her insurance costs were so high the company had to find another provider.  The new company charged 1/4 more then the old one.

Now take my daughter, she gets some kind of assistance as she can not work.  Her week in CCU at one hospital in a coma, her transfer to a rehab wing of another hospital and one week of therapy and now she is back in CCU,  they were so anxious to get her up and around that now she may not make it.  The insurence Companys are sending people home from operations just hours after invasive surgery.  

The cost to keep her alive is staggering, she has again drained the blood bank.

Had her husband not have had insurence the hospital would have sent her home to die as has happend in the past with no insurence.  This time I do not think she is going to rally, her body has taken such a beating from past medical emergencys I am amazed she has made it this far.

Have you noticed that SIDS was almost unheard of when Hospitals kept mothers and their new born babys in the hospital for 5 days following delivery ?

We hear of Hospital contacted infections yet never think that the infection may not have occured had the patient stayed an extra day in the hospital.

I am rambeling here, upset and angry, the hospital she was in is top notch and has more then adaquit care for those needing therapy. She had 4 doctors that were treating her, she was getting better. Why not keep her where she was instead of getting 4 new doctors that had never seen or treated her before.

Sorry Thunderly, I am becoming unhinged at this point, my heart skips a beat every time the phone rings.




 

[zeitgeist]

Thunley, we had a woman at work that was hospitalized for 6 weeks in a physic ward.  Her insurance costs were so high the company had to find another provider.  The new company charged 1/4 more then the old one

Now take my daughter, she gets some kind of assistance as she can not work.  Her week in CCU at one hospital in a coma, her transfer to a rehab wing of another hospital and one week of therapy and now she is back in CCU,  they were so anxious to get her up and around that now she may not make it.  The insurence Companys are sending people home from operations just hours after invasive surgery.  

The cost to keep her alive is staggering, she has again drained the blood bank.

Had her husband not have had insurence the hospital would have sent her home to die as has happend in the past with no insurence.  This time I do not think she is going to rally, her body has taken such a beating from past medical emergencys I am amazed she has made it this far.

Have you noticed that SIDS was almost unheard of when Hospitals kept mothers and their new born babys in the hospital for 5 days following delivery ?

We hear of Hospital contacted infections yet never think that the infection may not have occured had the patient stayed an extra day in the hospital.

I am rambeling here, upset and angry, the hospital she was in is top notch and has more then adaquit care for those needing therapy. She had 4 doctors that were treating her, she was getting better. Why not keep her where she was instead of getting 4 new doctors that had never seen or treated her before.

Sorry Thunderly, I am becoming unhinged at this point, my heart skips a beat every time the phone rings.

 

Very sorry to hear your daughter is not doing well Vesta.  I will say a prayer on your behalf.

/pb

[Ballygrl]

Did DUmmie Coventina actually get a bill for that amount? or was that the amount the Hospital billed the insurance company? that's important because if Coventina was paying cash all she has to do is contact the Hospital, tell them she's paying cash for those services and she'd receive a discount, but if insurance is being used then the Hospital is basically over-billing the insurance company to make-up for unfair reimbursement from the Government in reference to patients who use Medicare and Medicaid, and also over-billing because the Government says everyone has to be treated, so in effect the Hospital treats people without insurance, including illegals, yet never get reimbursed by the Government for those services rendered, so those with insurance are stuck paying the bill.

So Coventina, how is Obamacare going to make your life better?

[Ballygrl]

Oh, just read that she has insurance, well she can blame low Government reimbursement and demanding everyone be treated for the Hospital being forced to over-bill those with insurance and in effect causing our rates to go up.

[Ballygrl]

Just said a prayer now for your Daughter Vesta.

[BEG]

Thunley, we had a woman at work that was hospitalized for 6 weeks in a physic ward.  Her insurance costs were so high the company had to find another provider.  The new company charged 1/4 more then the old one.

Now take my daughter, she gets some kind of assistance as she can not work.  Her week in CCU at one hospital in a coma, her transfer to a rehab wing of another hospital and one week of therapy and now she is back in CCU,  they were so anxious to get her up and around that now she may not make it.  The insurence Companys are sending people home from operations just hours after invasive surgery.  

The cost to keep her alive is staggering, she has again drained the blood bank.

Had her husband not have had insurence the hospital would have sent her home to die as has happend in the past with no insurence.  This time I do not think she is going to rally, her body has taken such a beating from past medical emergencys I am amazed she has made it this far.

Have you noticed that SIDS was almost unheard of when Hospitals kept mothers and their new born babys in the hospital for 5 days following delivery ?

We hear of Hospital contacted infections yet never think that the infection may not have occured had the patient stayed an extra day in the hospital.

I am rambeling here, upset and angry, the hospital she was in is top notch and has more then adaquit care for those needing therapy. She had 4 doctors that were treating her, she was getting better. Why not keep her where she was instead of getting 4 new doctors that had never seen or treated her before.

Sorry Thunderly, I am becoming unhinged at this point, my heart skips a beat every time the phone rings.

Very sorry to hear about your daughter Vesta.  I pray that she will pull through, you must be worried sick.

I do take issue with some of what you wrote though but understand you are very upset right now (and rightly so).  I didn't have insurance when I had a stroke and they didn't send me home to die.  They treated me just like anyone else, including putting me in ICU for several days.  They performed every test imaginable to diagnose me.  When I left the hospital they said they would work with me on payment.  Then they sent me an "indigent form".  We filled it out and qualified.  We had to pay $1000 of the bill and the rest was written off.  I did have to pay all the doctors but we set up a payment plan and paid them all off in about three years.  This was back in 1995.

Also SIDS has always been around but only recently (relatively speaking) got a name.  People didn't discuss death like they do today.  If you had a baby back "in the day" and it died you just didn't talk about it.  Women used to have babies at home with a midwife not a doctor.  Before that women used to go into a field to give birth their baby.  There is no need to stay in a hospital for 5 days after giving birth unless you or the baby are having complications.  Besides, SIDS happens at around 2 to 4 months of age.  How does keeping them in the hospital for 5 days help?  When I had my 2nd child I didn't have maternity (I had insurance but it didn't cover pregnancy).  I paid monthly payments to my doctor and to the hospital to prepay my bill.  It was hard but we did it.  I had her at 7:58 pm and left the hospital before 9:00 am the next day.  I brought my daughter back to the doctor for all the necessary tests that happen after you have a baby.  I didn't need to stay in the hospital for 5 days. 

You are more likely to contract an infection the longer you stay in the hospital.  If you have half a brain you know when a wound doesn't look right, an extra day in the hospital isn't going to prevent infection.  If things don't look right or feel right after you leave the hospital you call the doctor.  The doctor explains all the signs and symptoms of infection when you leave the hospital. 

Situations like your daughter will only get worse if single payer heath care happens (and most likely will get worse under Obamacare).  The cost benefit wouldn't be there to treat her so you deduct what would happen to her in the same situation.  You have to be your own advocate, you know your body better than anyone.  A couple of years after I had my stroke I started having symptoms again.  I had to change rheumatologists because of insurance reasons.  My new rheumatologist that had my full file (two thick files) told me I just had anorexia (weight loss is a symptom).  I pleaded with him and told him that I knew my disease was back.  He blew me off.  I called my neurologist and he saw me within a day or so.  A few days later I was in the hospital having three stents placed.  If I had listened to that doctor I would be dead today.  I knew my own body, I was my own advocate...I got involved and demanded something be done.  You and your daughter's husband have to be your daughters advocate (which I'm sure you are).  She can't be her own advocate right now, her family as a whole needs to be the squeaky wheel and demand the best treatment for her. 

That being said Vesta, I know you are upset about your daughter.  I seriously feel for you.  I pray that everything turns out well for her and your family. 

[VivisMom]

That is correct.  I do not believe that practice is done much anymore, because legal abortions are available.  However, if abortion becomes illegal, it will start again.  And don't forget that a catholic heath care institutions could revenue off of a procedure that if called by another name is not allowed to be performed.

D&Cs are used for non-abortion procedures as well. I'm trying to figure out where the Catholic hospitals come into this????

[AprilRazz]

Thunley, we had a woman at work that was hospitalized for 6 weeks in a physic ward.  Her insurance costs were so high the company had to find another provider.  The new company charged 1/4 more then the old one.

Now take my daughter, she gets some kind of assistance as she can not work.  Her week in CCU at one hospital in a coma, her transfer to a rehab wing of another hospital and one week of therapy and now she is back in CCU,  they were so anxious to get her up and around that now she may not make it.  The insurence Companys are sending people home from operations just hours after invasive surgery.  

The cost to keep her alive is staggering, she has again drained the blood bank.

Had her husband not have had insurence the hospital would have sent her home to die as has happend in the past with no insurence.  This time I do not think she is going to rally, her body has taken such a beating from past medical emergencys I am amazed she has made it this far.

Have you noticed that SIDS was almost unheard of when Hospitals kept mothers and their new born babys in the hospital for 5 days following delivery ?

We hear of Hospital contacted infections yet never think that the infection may not have occured had the patient stayed an extra day in the hospital.

I am rambeling here, upset and angry, the hospital she was in is top notch and has more then adaquit care for those needing therapy. She had 4 doctors that were treating her, she was getting better. Why not keep her where she was instead of getting 4 new doctors that had never seen or treated her before.

Sorry Thunderly, I am becoming unhinged at this point, my heart skips a beat every time the phone rings.




 

First of all my heart goes out to you with what you are dealing with. Your daughter and family will be in my prayers. Please keep us updated with how she is doing.

Now the reason that mothers and newborns are sent home early is more of a shift of thinking by the moms and the doctors. Every day a new born is kept in the hospital the risk of hospital acquired infection increases dramatically. Their immune systems are just getting going and the less time they spend at the hospital is better for them. That is why they tell you to limit the contact the baby has with others for the first few weeks. Hospitals are for sick people.
Also the recovery time is less when mom goes home soon after. Childbirth was treated like a disease by doctors for so long rather than the healthy and natural event that it is. That is why there is a boom now for midwives and home or birth center births. In a healthy pregnancy there is no real reason for much intervention beyond just watching, catching and cutting the cord.  Studies have even shown that mothers that were not given pitocin during labor tend to bond with their babies faster as the natural oxytocin is allowed to do it's thing.

SIDS has not increased in the last 20 years and it can happen within the first 12 months of life. Unfortunately they are still not sure what causes it.

[BEG]

Sometimes words fail me

Missed abortion?  I have been told that sometimes the D&C was a convenient way to bill for an actual abortion an insurance wouldn't cover or which was at the time illegal.  Anyone know if that is right? 

Then too it always costs more to work on the plumbing when it is burried inside just ask any plumber.

I had three miscarriages between my first two children.  All a year apart.  I had to have a D&C with the 2nd one.  I was passing blood clots the size of liver and had to have an emergency D&C.  It was very traumatic because a week before I saw the baby on U/S, you could see the heartbeat and the little arms and legs.    

[AprilRazz]

D&Cs are used for non-abortion procedures as well. I'm trying to figure out where the Catholic hospitals come into this????

Mostly they are used to clean up so to speak after a miscarriage.
That way everything is gone and there is less chance of infection.
When I had mine I was treated at a Catholic hospital. There was no issue as it was a spontaneous (med speak for miscarriage) rather than planned abortion. My guess is that the primitive in question took the abortion pill and it did not do the job so she had to go in.