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Wednesday, May 21, 2008

I can relate to Fred Sanford

Remember when I went to ER thinking I was having a heart attack?

Remember after 8 hours of EKG, x-rays, blood work, monitoring and tests, they decided I didn't have any heart problem? And that they didn't know what the pain was, but gave me a shot, waited until the pain was gone then released me?

I got my hospital, attending physician, and lab bill.

$3,575.92

(why don't they just round it up to $3,576.00)

The first thing I though of:

I think we need some serious health insurance reform in this country.

18 comments:

Whit said...

That bill could cause a heart attack. They want repeat customers.

I hope you refer to the doctors as "you dummy."

Michael said...

That's your portion? And to think I was mad that my ER copay went up to $150 this year. Wow.

Nancy said...

Michael : portion? bwahahahahah ... I get to pay the whole thing !

Anonymous said...

Oh mah holy hell Nancy. If that's the part you pay, damn good thing it wasn't something more serious. And yes, yes, yes on the whole health reform thing.

San said...

YIKES!

Mrs. G. said...

Well, that's for damn sure. It would be nice to not to have to declare bankruptcy if you have a major illness and don't have the good fortune of being insured!

I feel for you.

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

This post did give me an anxiety attack. Good lord, you're right. That is jacked up. I'd have to get about 20 roommates to consider paying that off.

Pink said...

Holy Crap!

xx
pinks

Sherry said...

That bill would have given me a heart attack!!! You DO need serious health care reform in the U.S. Health insurance in Ontario (most of the provinces for that matter) takes care of things like this. And every day I give thanks that I live where I do. I might like that prices are lower in the U.S. and you have more variety in some things; I love that you can buy alcohol "anywhere" (we are restricted to one place only -- licensed by the province), but those are mere triffles. Health, life, medical care -- that's what it's all about. I hope I live to see the day that the U.S. brings itself to it's senses in regard to this.

Anonymous said...

I am surprised you didn't have a heart attack when the bill arrived. I might suggest you look into purchasing a major medical policy + a HSA. I believe it is the least expensive way to protect and cover yourself in situations like you went thru.

Mr B

Patience said...

Just think what it would have been had you really been having a heart attack!!! Enough to give anyone a heart attack!!!

Nancy said...

Mr. B.

Ha-ha .. I had a maj. policy and an HSA but at $900.00+ a month
(+ = copays and deductibles) the premiums alone were over 10K a year.

Out of my price range.

My policy at $130. a month is a catastrophic policy. with limits. with co-pays. with deductibles.

That ER visit didn't fall under the covered criteria.

Sad, all very sad the state of health care.

Audubon Ron said...

Well?? Was it gas or what?

Nancy said...

Ron: Nope, no $3K in gas.

I'm supposed to follow up with cardiac doctor, but I'll wait until I get the symptoms again. Why pay to have all the same tests run again ... that's all they'd do.

Someone told me gall stones can feel like chest pain.

John D. said...

Hello Love,

RE: "...why don't they just round it up to $3,576.00"

Because that would, in some small way, simplify healthcare. We simply can't have this. : )

You're okay, yes?

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Don't even get me started. The medical / insurance industry is completely whacky & it is us average Joes who are suffering.

Audubon Ron said...

You die on me and I'll promise I'll never speak to you again! Here em?

dkuroiwa said...

I don't understand the whole insurance deal anymore as I haven't had to mess with it for almost 17 years....here it's easy...I need to check with hubby to see what we pay each month...but....when we go to the doctor, we only pay 30% of the full fee.
I think that for the insurance alone, I will never leave Japan...except for vacation...for which I buy extra insurance!!!

nancy....I'm going to be asking some questions from my students on tonights blog and one of them is about insurance...please come over and help me out!!!
Thanks, luv!!!
debbie