Medical Bills

Here is an example of a hospital bill – Yuma Medical Center (pdf)

Have you ever seen one?   This is an itemized bill so you can see each charge.   Let’s take a closer look.   Don’t shut down on me now….I know, I know, whatever the costs it’s worth it.   No matter the cost. Really?

Three (3) days in the hospital: $21,266.70 or…  “$7,088.90 per day”.

Don’t let that amount just pass you by like we usually do… because…well… this is not my bill.  My bill is after insurance pays.   Pretend this is your bill for just a moment.

Look closely at each cost.  Without going into each one, I will make my point.

#352 CT Scan/Body for $3,200.00. Was that a necessary test with all the other tests that were performed to diagnose and treat?  Lab work-up, Diagnostic Radiology (chest xray), Pulmonary function, Echocardiography, and EKG/ECG.  Could this be what the President means by ordering unnecessary tests? Who is going to address that issue?

#251-258 cost of drugs $1,787.30. That’s $595.76 per day! This is for administering the drugs.   That does not include the cost of the drug!    Can you afford that?   And that’s not all…

#636 Drugs/Detail code for $382.55. What the hell? And…

#637 Pharmacy Drugs $950.35. This is the actual cost of  the drugs given in the hospital and take home.

Total Drug Costs:  $3,120.20. Really…could you afford this without insurance?

Even with insurance, the costs will still go up.   Insurance just makes it all possible to get this kind of money.   Wake up!   It’s a racket out there and you the tax payer is the supplier either way you look at it.

• Admitting diagnosis: Pneumonia. Treatment was for pneumonia.
• Discharge diagnosis: Pneumonia; COPD; Coronary Artery disease, status post stint.   History of atrial fibrillation.

This patient had the other diagnoses before coming into the hospital for pneumonia, however let’s be fair, more tests were to rule out other complications. I’m not sure that was necessary.   Note:   I have read the medical records attached to this stay.

Here is a comparison of costs for other hospitals average cost a similar stay from ->Price Point.org

Yes we all know why hospitals pad the costs.   It’s to cover those who can’t pay for care.  How does that justify the end?   Arizona must have higher costs than Oregon, but $7,088.70 per day   vs  $3,784 average per day in Oregon?  Apples and oranges?  Not so much.

• Another comparison :::  A graphic chart comparing treatment of Pneumonia across several area hospitals

I recently heard a physician say, “Let’s stop acting like sixth graders and solve this health care crisis”. I have to ask, what’s wrong with sixth graders and isn’t medical care costs part of what he termed health care crisis? I have not seen one single story on the news about the high cost of medical care, only the high cost of insurance.

People.   It will not end here by applying another layer of health insurance. That will just add to the problem.  The Government wants to cut Medicare, that means more out of pocket for you.   Do you really believe it will be any different for a Government sponsored health insurance plan?

WHAT ARE THE PROFITS  of the drug companies, hospitals, and medical care professionals.    But no… they want to keep the focus on the health insurance profits. Shhhh…. and yes my text in caps is meant as yelling.

Status on this bill: Medicare has paid. VA has denied as not medically necessary. The VA denial is being appealed.  Balance as it stands now: $1,068.00.   As the cost of medical care goes up, so will your balance!

Keep in mind…this is just the hospital bill.   There’s an ambulance and 3 other professionals billing for this stay.   I plan to post those soon and point a finger or two.   Oh I’m probably acting like a sixth grader… “there that will shut me up”, she says facetiously .