In a previous blog, I wrote about my let’s-get-sick-while-on-the-road experience and how the toll-free remote doctor assistance sent me over to the local emergency room while away on business.
Well, I was back home on the weekend (part of my 100,000 mile commute) and came across the invoices from the medical care providers in that lovely city by the bay.
The total amount due just about sent me back to the hospital again – but this time with a heart attack!
Before I share the cost of my 4-hour emergency room visit, let’s re-visit the facts.
v I arrived at 2:30 AM
v I was seen by 1 doctor and 1 nurse
v I was given some painkiller and anti-nausea drugs
v I had an MRI to validate any doctor diagnosis
v I was discharged at 6:30AM
All this treatment was a bit over the top, but remember that in America the doctor’s objectives are to (1) avoid any lawsuit, (2) minimize patient complaint, and (3) fix any problem – and probably in that order. So the treatment I received was about as “by the book” as you can get.
Routine stuff – routine billing, right?
Not quite.
First, this west coast city is one of the highest-cost areas in the country for about anything.
Second, this country has the highest cost of health care in the world (as reported by The Economist and shown to the right).
So what was the total damage for this 4 hour visit?
Not $1,000.
Not even $2,000.
Why, even $4,000 would be a relative bargain.
$5,000 might pay for a tropical vacation, but would not be enough to cover this treatment.
And although $7,000 would pay 1-year’s tuition at most public universities in this country where university fees are already about the highest in the world, even that would not be enough.
$8,000 buys a car, but not a 4-hour emergency room visit.
No, the two invoices that I received so far – I say so far, because more may still be forthcoming – total to the princely sum of….
$8,195.98
No wonder health care consumes over 15% of GDP!!.
In this case, my insurance will probably receive and 80% trade discount and then I end up paying maybe 10% of the remainder – which translates to 2% of the total, or the much more manageable amount of $178.12.
My closing tip?
Make sure your health care insurance premiums are paid in full.
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