Costs of Personal Health Care, in General

It seems I should've known this for some time, but haven't.

Many times, your deductible depends on where you get a procedure done. i.e., a person who has Medicare + Humana pays a deductible of $250 for an MRI, if it's done at a hospital. However, if it's done at a radiology lab, the deductible is $180. Big difference, and I do believe that myself and Humana have been being routinely ripped off by my doc's office.

Although the facility where I get all these shots I've been telling you about, (epidurals, branch blocks, rhizotomies, A/I injections), are done at a medical facility that is part of, but not physically connected to, a regional hospital, I've been paying $245 a pop --> HOSPTAL visit - when it ought to be $185 --> MEDICAL CENTER. (Yes, different cost from MRI's.)

I know all docs say, "I don't involved myself in the $$$, but that's too bad, 'cuz Doc Chatman (major doc over all my procedures, although he doesn't perform them), IS going to hear about it. Not all hot, mind you; simply ask the guy that if he wants me to get an MRI, would he please have the decency to me to a rad lab.

FWIW, this bit of homework has pretty well answered one thing: The Spinal Cord Stimulator is getting kicked to the curb.
* Pych Exam: No Charge
* 8 PT appts. @ $25 each
* MRI: $250 or $180
* Trial Run: NO idea
* Final Surgery: Not clear (my fault)

If I thought it would be worth that cost, I'd go for it. Thing is, the S/I joint injection seems to be helping enough to make that unnecessary.
Still in the "We'll See" column. As is the S/I fuse.

Bottom line - Folks, PLEASE never quit being your own advocate. You're likely the most qualified.

Do you have to get tests done at the particular lab/hospital that the referral is written to?

Here it doesn't matter who the particular referral is written to. All labs/hospitals accept them regardless so you can take your pick.

Imaging is a major rip off at hospitals.
Imaging centers are cheaper.

Lots of times the docs own stock in a particular hospital they are affilliated with. They want you to use that(their) facility.

Ask them to set up an appointment at the imaging center of your choice.

Red Lily wrote:Do you have to get tests done at the particular lab/hospital that the referral is written to?

Here it doesn't matter who the particular referral is written to.  All labs/hospitals accept them regardless so you can take your pick.

You can choose which facility to use. That is, unless a facility doesn't have the equipment to do a particular test that the doc ordered.
That happened to me when hunting a location closer to home for the more in-depth mammogram a doc ordered. Had to go to the location farther away due to the closer one not having the specific imaging equipment needed. Otherwise, it'd have been okie doke.

HawkTheSlayer wrote:Imaging is a major rip off at hospitals.
Imaging centers are cheaper.

Lots of times the docs  own stock in a particular hospital they are affilliated with. They want you to use that(their) facility.

Ask them to set up an appointment at the imaging center of your choice.

Good advice. Always good to double check. (Yuk. I just came out sounding like you-know-who.)

HawkTheSlayer wrote:Imaging is a major rip off at hospitals.
Imaging centers are cheaper.

Lots of times the docs  own stock in a particular hospital they are affilliated with. They want you to use that(their) facility.

Ask them to set up an appointment at the imaging center of your choice.

Imaging at hospitals is free here.

Red Lily wrote:

HawkTheSlayer wrote:Imaging is a major rip off at hospitals.
Imaging centers are cheaper.

Lots of times the docs  own stock in a particular hospital they are affilliated with. They want you to use that(their) facility.

Ask them to set up an appointment at the imaging center of your choice.

Imaging at hospitals is free here.

Nothing is really "free", SOMEONE is paying for it you can be certain.

RV wrote:

Nothing is really "free", SOMEONE is paying for it you can be certain.

The problem is the bureaucratic confusion and governmental corruption.

Once upon a time, a physician's office visit cost about $20. No problemo.

Then we got into elaborate medical insurance...and networks, and HMO structures, and co-pays...and then, a visit involved a physician-employee in a mega-clinic, and after repeated verifications of your insurance...your co-pay for the visit was $50. While insurance would pay about $300.

NOW, with Medi-don't-care all completely farked up...so MUCH is not available; and SO MUCH is conditional; and SO MANY "gap" policies are required (along with payments) that it's a mind-numbing mess.

Long ago, I came across the concept of "Medical Tourism." A trip to India could allow a visitor to buy plenty of elective or semi-elective procedures, for quite an affordable price. Seemed like the way to do it, if, as and when I was in that situation.

BUT.

...since then, we've got every commercial-airline pilot Jabbed and dozens dying on the job; we've got insane passenger fights; we've got Real ID requirements (including Jab Status) and we've got at LEAST two superpowers on the verge of declaring total war on us. Flying to India, or even to Indianapolis, isn't such a smart idea right now.

I always figured it would come to this - cut off from elaborate medical procedures, just as I get to the age where I might need them. So...I get sick, then I die. Que sera.

RV wrote:

Red Lily wrote:

HawkTheSlayer wrote:Imaging is a major rip off at hospitals.
Imaging centers are cheaper.

Lots of times the docs  own stock in a particular hospital they are affilliated with. They want you to use that(their) facility.

Ask them to set up an appointment at the imaging center of your choice.

Imaging at hospitals is free here.

Nothing is really "free", SOMEONE is paying for it you can be certain.

They do, obviously!  It's funded by an employee 2% Medicare levy (which I never had a problem with paying for what you get back) and by the government (taxes) so maybe I should say "many don't have to pay" rather than 'free' but either way it's an excellent top tier system and it works.

I really wonder what "Obamacare" did to costs and taxes. It was the Democrats attempt at socialized medicine...