Whew insurance, WTF hospitals?

[thistlechaser]

I got my itemized bill from the hospital today. I have insurance (THANKFULLY), so it was sent for my information.

I was in the hospital exactly 14 days.

Total bill? $144,769

I nearly fell over. Just the hospital room and (awful) food cost $84,000 for the 14 days.

My antibiotic, the only one that worked, cost $250/dose when put in by the home nurse. When put in at the hospital? $3,990/dose.

I'd like to have a word with those who claim America has the greatest health care system in the world. The service I received was nearly 100% perfect, I have no complaints at all there, but the prices are just so unreasonable that 'unreasonable' doesn't even describe it.

One shot of nasal spray for a stuffy nose, put in by me, cost $179.

In related news, I'm still on the mend. Getting better every day, but still weak and little energy. Returning to work on Monday, so we'll see how that goes.

Comments

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I'm certainly glad you had insurance!

The costs are ridiculous. No doubt about it.
The question is how to fix the system...

Re:

[resonant.livejournal.com]

....

Just for comparison, here's an anecdote from Canada:

A few years ago, I suffered head trauma. I stumbled to the nearby walk-in clinic, and was seen by a doctor who immediately called 911. I got to ride in an ambulance (but wasn't in any shape to enjoy it, sadly), got CAT scans, examination by specialists, and so on. Later, I went to my personal doctor to get the stitches removed.

At least four doctors examined me, plus various nurses, plus a three-person ambulance crew, plus I took up valuable diagnostic machine time. Plus bandages, needles and sutures, dressings, anesthetic shots, antibiotics, and a tetanus shot. I had been taken to a modern, well-equipped hospital, the same one that my Member of Parliament goes to.

Two weeks later, I got the bill. It was itemized:

ITEM 1: $40.00 - Ambulance ride, 9 kilometers
ITEM 2: $ 5.20 - Harmonized Sales Tax
TOTAL: $45.20

There was an apologetic letter saying they had to charge something to prevent people from using the ambulance as a taxi, but would gladly waive payment if it was a hardship. Just for comparison, the price of a taxi ride for that distance would have been $24 plus tip.

I am glad that the US seems to be moving (slowly) towards a better health care system. Until then, I am very glad that you had insurance.

Re:

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Wow... Amazing how different that is!

Re:

[resonant.livejournal.com]

And this level of care is provided to everyone*, for a total cost-per-person that is less than what the US spends for care for many (but not everyone).

Our system is FAR from perfect. There have been recent scandals about overpaying the company that provides helicopter air ambulances to my province, and the online medical records system had huge cost overruns. But it seems to work. And ever since I visited the US in November 2011, I've been grateful that we have it:

http://resonant.livejournal.com/329899.html


*there is currently a huge scandal how we are not providing proper health care coverage to refugees and others who are not Canadian citizens yet.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

*more details:

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/12/09/ontario_reinstates_basic_health_care_for_refugees.html

The Canadian government canceled free health care for refugee claimants, but the provinces are fighting back and paying for it out of their own funds anyway.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

I am seriously considering moving to Canada when I get older, just for the healthcare...my family has a history of cancer and that would bankrupt people here, even WITH insurance.

[resonant.livejournal.com]

Serious illness can still bankrupt people here - if you're too ill to work, your health care is covered, but you'll still burn through your savings with regular living expenses. Disability payments are not huge.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Still better than here. We do not get much in the way of disability either, and at least the hospital bills won't be 10k a day.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

10K per day for the room (and food) alone. The highest care room I was in (for five days) was 10K/day. Then they moved me down a level and it was 9K/day, then lastly to an 8K/day room.

Every time I think about this, I boggle again.

[ani-mama.livejournal.com]

Sheesh, for that much you can have the Presidential suite at a world class resort and have personal valet service...

[resonant.livejournal.com]

We don't have pharmacare up here. Medication given to you in a hospital is free, but you have to pay for medication from a pharmacy. Medication prices are a lot less than in the US, but people living with chronic conditions requiring expensive medication will go through their savings quickly.

Re:

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Same! And I bet Obama has some ideas...