An example of unexpected medical bills
#151
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,005
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
"Plus, emergency rooms are so crowded that ambulances arriving at hospitals can’t immediately unload their patients, so they’re unable to leave for incoming 911 calls, said Jose Arballo Jr., spokesman for the Riverside County Department of Public Health.
“The ambulances have to wait … and if they’re waiting there, they can’t be out on calls,” Arballo said."
Severe flu brings medicine shortages, packed ERs and a rising death toll in California - LA Times
Really, your "The NHS is crap" defence of US healthcare is pretty irrelevant to the subject at hand anyway.
“The ambulances have to wait … and if they’re waiting there, they can’t be out on calls,” Arballo said."
Severe flu brings medicine shortages, packed ERs and a rising death toll in California - LA Times
Really, your "The NHS is crap" defence of US healthcare is pretty irrelevant to the subject at hand anyway.
#152
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
Now that one won't be able to deduct student loans interest as a federal tax deductible, I wonder how much of a baring that will have in the future.
Big loans, lot of interest, lot that the public picked the tab for.
Big loans, lot of interest, lot that the public picked the tab for.
#153
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
#154
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,526
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
How could any rational person defend US healthcare system ? First it is expensive and inefficient- if UK spends 10% of GDP on health care, which covers all. and US spends 17% but doesn't cover all, and for many a financial burden, what defense is there ? This fantasy that everyone can get medical care because they can go to emergency room is rather bizarre, and if someone making hundreds of thousands of dollars spouts such nonsense truly they didn't learn basic humanity from their parents or education.
#155
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,005
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
And very good salaries for those at the top, and fancy furnishings. I was in Midwest area with crumbling infrastructure, low wage temporary jobs more available than decent full time jobs, opiod epidemic, growing percentage of population on food stamps ( in a word heavy Trump country)- yet hospitals and doctors officers had furnishings that one would expect in a top CEO's office.
#156
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
It is more expensive in the US. I assume the drop was caused by the ACA.
#157
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 78
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
I have Waldenstroms disease, it's a rare blood cancer, I doubt many of you have every heard of it, I was on chemo for a short while then put on a trial drug which costs $16k a month, obviously I can't afford this and I get help from the charity with my co pay, this week my insurance company refused to renew my prescription ..... Thanks you very much you b***ards.
This drug basically keeps me alive.
The health care system here is a dam disgrace.
This drug basically keeps me alive.
The health care system here is a dam disgrace.
#158
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
I have Waldenstroms disease, it's a rare blood cancer, I doubt many of you have every heard of it, I was on chemo for a short while then put on a trial drug which costs $16k a month, obviously I can't afford this and I get help from the charity with my co pay, this week my insurance company refused to renew my prescription ..... Thanks you very much you b***ards.
This drug basically keeps me alive.
The health care system here is a dam disgrace.
This drug basically keeps me alive.
The health care system here is a dam disgrace.
Just curious as even up in Canada where we have basic universal healthcare, it's not likely a trial drug would be covered at all, even approved drugs for rare diseases may not be covered as they cost too much.
I do agree overall though the US system isn't grand.
#159
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
From dim memory my Mum was asked if she would take a trial drug , which she accepted to do. That was through the NHS . So in a way , yes, that was funded .
edit... I just had a bit of a google as I am so certain Mum was given a trial medicine (drug). I wonder if the specialist consultant - who haled from the USA - fronted what is called in the UK a clinical trial.
So yes is the answer. If Pat was in the UK and there was a clinical trial in process for the drug and Pat agreed to take part it would be fully funded.
edit... I just had a bit of a google as I am so certain Mum was given a trial medicine (drug). I wonder if the specialist consultant - who haled from the USA - fronted what is called in the UK a clinical trial.
So yes is the answer. If Pat was in the UK and there was a clinical trial in process for the drug and Pat agreed to take part it would be fully funded.
Last edited by BEVS; Jan 13th 2018 at 12:42 am.
#160
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
I am really sorry to hear about your situation Pat. That stinks.
This business of having your co-pay paid for and therefore forcing the insurers to pay the very considerable bulk of the cost of the medicine is an area that should be looked into imo. The only recourse for the insurance company is to not cover it at all for anyone when perhaps there may have been some discretion in there before.
This business of having your co-pay paid for and therefore forcing the insurers to pay the very considerable bulk of the cost of the medicine is an area that should be looked into imo. The only recourse for the insurance company is to not cover it at all for anyone when perhaps there may have been some discretion in there before.
#161
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: An example of unexpected medical bills
There will always be members who want to break up costs for the charges that are billed to either the insurance company or the individual in regards to US healthcare.
It makes me wonder, since the UK has national healthcare, do any of the citizens there receive a paper accounting of what charges the doctors and hospitals sent to the NHS for payment? I'm guessing not. And if not, then how are you comparing the two when there is nothing to compare the US costs against.
It makes me wonder, since the UK has national healthcare, do any of the citizens there receive a paper accounting of what charges the doctors and hospitals sent to the NHS for payment? I'm guessing not. And if not, then how are you comparing the two when there is nothing to compare the US costs against.
I certainly hope I don't have the ability to compare the exact same operation in the US. But I do know that last year having "ass cam" and another down the throat certainly cost more than that (20 minutes, mild sedation, one doc and one nurse, home an hour later).