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Hospital Bill Question

Discussion in 'Your Living Room' started by Pupper, Mar 27, 2019.

  1. Pupper

    Pupper Active Member

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    Got my hospital bill for my 2nd VNS. There's a curious charge of $1,800 for "physical therapy". I was there for about 4 days and didn't get or need any true physical therapy. Sometimes various people would pop in and ask if I wanted to go for a walk in the hallway and they'd jabber at me about obvious stuff I already knew. Sometimes they'd have me do a few tasks like walk sideways, or dance with her. I had about 4 of these little 5 minute walk & talks in my 4 days there. THAT'S the $1,800 for physical therapy? Holy crap. Thank god I usually said "no, I'm good". I thought these people were paid employees of the hospital that just wanted to make sure patients were moving around.
     
  2. Pupper

    Pupper Active Member

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    Just noticed another line on the bill above "physical therapy", there's another charge for "occupational therapy" for $960. So total therapy charge is about $2,800 for walking with me in the hallway and asking me if I have stairs in my home. What a messed up world we've made. Can we have World War III already so we can start all over from scratch?
     
  3. Robert Wilson

    Robert Wilson Member

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    I was shocked at my first PT bill from a hospital system PT that was no help at all.

    I later found a private PT who has a doctorate in physical therapy and finished a vestibular training at Emory University. He was extremely knowledgeable (moreso than most of the doctors I've seen), very helpful, and cost much less than the hospital system PT. Happy to give his name to anyone in Texas who'd like it.

    The way our system discriminates against private PTs is criminal. You are generally shoved onto hospital system PTs who aren't that good and then cost an arm and a leg. But it makes the hospital system money.
     
  4. Pupper

    Pupper Active Member

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    Just a heads-up to anyone who has a hospital stay after surgery, if you can walk on your own and are doing fairly ok.

    If anyone comes into your room and asks if you want to take a walk or do exercises. Just say no thanks. They'll be dressed like nurses and will be especially friendly and caring. Like, "HI! How ARRRE you? Do you wanna walk? / It's time for your walk / I'm here for your exercises / Do you wanna talk about how you're doing? I have some advice for when your back home if you want." If you say "yes" to any of those questions it's like signing a therapy session contract.

    I have insurance, but still.

    I'll do some net surfing on the subject. And if I'm wrong about them, and the big charges on my bill for these 5 minute strolls, I'll update this post.
     
  5. Pupper

    Pupper Active Member

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    One of the therapy charges above may have been for the ultrasound test my doctor insists on, or the hospital won't properly discharge you. He says he's had patients go home, then it turns out they had a blood clot in their leg from laying down in the hospital for too long. I asked the ultrasound guy if he's ever found a bloodclot and he said no.

    Anyway, I'll probably be getting a bill for the ultrasound machine. They oil up your legs and press that gizmo hard into your legs and right next to your junk. After my first VNS it was a woman and I didn't mind at all. But this time it was a dude and it was weird.
     
  6. AnneT

    AnneT Well-Known Member

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    Good advice Pupper. It makes me more comfortable in my decision to wait for the Canadian medical system to see me. I’m still glad I went for the consult in LA, but perhaps the surgical costs quoted me didn’t include all the possible bonus charges!

    And btw - if you are up and mobile, and have no risk factors for blood clots, and have no leg pain... there is absolutely no indication for the ultrasound. Sounds like cover-your-ass medicine, not evidence based. Maybe you can fight the bill on that basis.
     
  7. tumarkins

    tumarkins New Member

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    Thank you for the heads up Pupper. It's unscrupulous of them to not tell you beforehand that you'll be charged for any companionship. Especially when one's in such a vulnerable position, and especially at such exorbitant price.

    Last time I was hospitalized was when I was with a major HMO. Everything, my ER visit, all testing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, the thigh machine, etc. were all inclusive in one low price of $200.
     
  8. Melc

    Melc Member

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    I can’t wrap my brain around what it’s like to worry about money when you are sick. It’s unconscionable that a patient has to consider whether or not to have physio or not due to costs.

    I was in hospital for a week waiting for my surgeon to have a break in his surgical schedule to take out my gallbladder. I was admitted from ER. I had a choice of going home and waiting a month or two or staying in hospital till he could fit me in. The cost was a few bucks for my husband to pay for visitor parking.

    Wise decision, Anne. A friend of mine became very ill when she was on holiday in the US. She had travel insurance. The hospital wanted their money up front and said they would be reimbursed by the insurance. Didn’t happen and it cost her 10 grand.
     
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  9. Robert Wilson

    Robert Wilson Member

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    Never pay a hospital up front.
     
  10. Bennyhill

    Bennyhill Member

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    You should move to Australia. Everyone entitled to free public hospital cover with costs covered by the Government. Medicare levy is 2% tax on income. Some waiting lists for surgery (eg hip replacement ) can be many months although emergency treatment does not wait. As a pensioner I do not pay the levy and my visits to my local doctor are free.

    Although a retiree and pensioner, I pay $AU210 ($US148) per month for Private Hospital insurance with $AU250 per year claim excess. Hospital, specialist, doctor of choice and no waiting lists. I have my own Urologist, Cardiologist and Heart Surgeon. Also includes insurance for ambulance.

    Had heart attack 2014. Stent inserted, kidney stone delayed open heart surgery to repair damaged aorta. 3 visits to Private hospital cost $AU55,400 ($US39,267). Everything in hospital is covered by my insurance which paid all except the $250 excess that I paid. Through the Government Medicare I received free physio (steps, walking, treadmill, etc) at an outpatient clinic for 6 weeks.

    In Australia companies do not pay health insurance for employees except some American ones like Costco.
     
  11. Pupper

    Pupper Active Member

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    Robert, the thing is, you have to, or you don't get your surgery. I was at House and for both my VNS's they want the 3 grand up front. 2 days before your surgery. That's just the way it is. I understand it kinda. Here in the U.S. you don't have to wait 10 months for surgery. You can get surgery in 2 months or less. I'm generalizing, but that's been my experience. I guess it costs you a lot, but you don't have to wait 8 months to 2 years like in other countries.

    I'm no expert on this stuff. Our American system is messed up with the high cost, I know. But when I hear Canadians and others talk of their long wait while dizzy as hell, I can't help but think that's messed up too.
     
  12. Melc

    Melc Member

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    Hi Pupper,

    How’s it going?

    In Canada we don’t wait for essential surgery. My brother needed quadruple bypass surgery and he had it within a week. It didn’t cost him a cent out of pocket. If the ability for our system to provide that kind of care means I have to wait 6 months for a knee replacement or a referral to an otolaryngologist, or whatever non life threatening procedure, then I’m ok with that. I’m not going to die and someone else who might will get the treatment they need. No one is going bankrupt to pay for medical care and we all eventually get looked after with the triage method.
     
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  13. AnneT

    AnneT Well-Known Member

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    I agree with Mel, that on the whole, I prefer the Canadian way.

    Yet... I’m quite tearful over this long wait since requesting my re-referral in January. May 1 is the soonest I could get, with the doctor I saw a few years ago.

    Struggling emotionally today. I phoned the specialist’s office to find out... if she offers surgery when she sees me May 1... when might the surgery be? Likely July or later, “depending on the urgency. “

    I understand that Menieres won’t kill me (unless it convinces me to take such matters into my own hands) but doesn’t losing my job, my mobility, my ability to drive, etc etc count as life (quality) threatening?

    I just feel so much push back from the system.

    I’m going to communicate again with the House clinic, just to compare surgical wait times. Though I’m still scared of complications, vestibular recovery in crazy LA, and now, unforeseen costs!

    Maybe I need to just let go of any expectations of time lines or outcomes, try to get zen, just accept that this is the way it is. Counting days is driving me crazy.

    Thanks for listening to my pity party. I’ll go cry it out on a walk while listening to Leonard Cohen.
     
  14. redwing1951

    redwing1951 Well-Known Member

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    I thought only if you don't have insurance do you have to pay upfront for medical procedures? I have insurance and pay my co pay at time of service for office visits. When I had my laby I didn't pay until the insurance paid their share and then I was responsible for any costs that were not covered after all was figured out by the insurance company. I agree the health system in the US needs some serious consideration!
     
  15. AnneT

    AnneT Well-Known Member

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    PS just to be clear, I’m not disagreeing with you Mel, or ranting at you! . Just ranting at the universe.
     
  16. Clare

    Clare Active Member

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    Anne, I get the rant at the universe phase. It does get better once you are assigned a surgery date, even if it is some time away. I think I had to wait about 3 months between the laby decision and actual surgery date at Mayo. But just the decision uplifted my spirits enough that the vertigo episodes stopped for the month prior to surgery -- just to mess with my head, I suppose, raising the question of whether it was really necessary after all. It definitely was.

    Today I look at the laby as one of the best decisions of my life, and honestly a life-saver. Admittedly, all is not perfect now, as I grieve the hearing loss (which was prior to laby) and social effects of that; but I can function in the world with confidence, know I will be able to meet people when I say I will, and just be free, free, free of all that anxiety baggage I didn't even realize I was carrying around. Plus, I can eat pizza. Life really is good.

    As to the medical cost, mine was something over $50K, which included a BAHA implant. I've always been careful to have good insurance, so only $200 was out of pocket -- not counting the several thousands of insurance premiums paid.

    Here's a link to my laby experience: Had labyrinthectomy with BAHA on Thursday; home on Sunday
     
  17. AnneT

    AnneT Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the encouragement Clare! I’m feeling saner today - serenity prayer, heavy duty CBT journal time, sunshine, getting a few things done and getting out of my head all help.
     

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