It Just Can't Be That Simple
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Situation Nominal
Yesterday was the big day. I trekked down to Seattle to visit my surgeon. It was time for my 6 week post-op check-up. Now the astute reader will note it has actually been 7 weeks since my surgery. All I can say is welcome to the efficient bureaucratic morass that is the modern American health care industry.
The point of this drivel is this visit encompassed the first post-op PSA test. And the results is - undetectable! So it's another sign in my favor. Of course it doesn't guarantee I don't still have cancer. So just in case, I'll get a PSA test every 6 months. But at this point if I still have cancer I get to have "salvage procedures". Some of these can make the original surgery and aftermath look like a cake walk.
Speaking of the aftermath, I'm not doing too bad. According to the doctor I'm probably a little ahead of the curve. Physically I feel fine. I'm back to exercising & doing pretty much what I want - just at a slightly lower level. So all that's left is what I've come to refer to as the two I's - incontinence & impotence. Let's just say I've made much more progress on the former. For the latter, the doctor gave me a prescription for "my little blue friends". If all goes well, time will rectify the two I's. ¶ 24.1.07 0 comments
The point of this drivel is this visit encompassed the first post-op PSA test. And the results is - undetectable! So it's another sign in my favor. Of course it doesn't guarantee I don't still have cancer. So just in case, I'll get a PSA test every 6 months. But at this point if I still have cancer I get to have "salvage procedures". Some of these can make the original surgery and aftermath look like a cake walk.
Speaking of the aftermath, I'm not doing too bad. According to the doctor I'm probably a little ahead of the curve. Physically I feel fine. I'm back to exercising & doing pretty much what I want - just at a slightly lower level. So all that's left is what I've come to refer to as the two I's - incontinence & impotence. Let's just say I've made much more progress on the former. For the latter, the doctor gave me a prescription for "my little blue friends". If all goes well, time will rectify the two I's. ¶ 24.1.07 0 comments
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Cost of It All
I've received numerous statements from my medical insurance regarding the benefits provided. The numbers are quite interesting. First because of the shear magnitude. But also because they highlight the games played between the medical establishment & the insurance companies.
Here's an example.
The hospital bills $36.7k but settles for roughly $15k! That's one hell of a difference.
The "labor" charges aren't as deeply discounted. But again they "charge" one amount and settle for something significantly less.
A while back Money magazine dedicated a whole issue to the cost of healthcare. I remember one article discussing how hospitals have no idea what their true cost really are. I wonder if this is a symptom.
I'm in a PPO plan. For all these charges my copay is $400. My understanding is that the "fee adjustment" has to do with a rate negotiated between the insurance company & the health care provider. Do those without insurance have to cough up the full amount? Or is their yet another fee structure?
I hope I never get sick again. ¶ 4.1.07 0 comments
Here's an example.
| Biller | Bill | Fee Adjustment | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital | $36,700 | $21,835 | $14,500 |
| Surgeon | $3,311 | $1,037 | $2,273 |
| Anasthesia | $2,150 | $600 | $1,550 |
The hospital bills $36.7k but settles for roughly $15k! That's one hell of a difference.
The "labor" charges aren't as deeply discounted. But again they "charge" one amount and settle for something significantly less.
A while back Money magazine dedicated a whole issue to the cost of healthcare. I remember one article discussing how hospitals have no idea what their true cost really are. I wonder if this is a symptom.
I'm in a PPO plan. For all these charges my copay is $400. My understanding is that the "fee adjustment" has to do with a rate negotiated between the insurance company & the health care provider. Do those without insurance have to cough up the full amount? Or is their yet another fee structure?
I hope I never get sick again. ¶ 4.1.07 0 comments
