118K for 2 weeks in the Hospital!!!

[Krunk Man]

My parents recieved the bill today for my little hospital stay.

Roughly $118,000.00 for 13 days.

Not including helicoptor ride or any outpatient services.

Some of the big ticket items...

18k in pharmacy
26k for medical/surgery supplies
17k for room and board
12k CT scan
16k for physical therapy

Thank god for insurance.

[Michelle]

Damn. How are you coming along? How's that scar healing?

[Major04]

WOW! that's a nice chunk of change...but, don't feel bad...remember "change" is coming and the "new government" is going to distribute all that "wealth" to pay for your little stay.

But, seriously I am glad that you are doing great! How are you getting along? PT taking care of you? Your muscle tones coming back?

[motordavid]

Damn, KMan,

Health Care in Amerika...

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by Krunk Man

My parents recieved the bill today for my little hospital stay.

Roughly $118,000.00 for 13 days.

Not including helicoptor ride or any outpatient services.

Some of the big ticket items...

18k in pharmacy
26k for medical/surgery supplies
17k for room and board
12k CT scan
16k for physical therapy

Thank god for insurance.

That is the amount you would be expected to pay if you were uninsured and the number the insurance company uses to calculate your share of cost. The actual amount paid varies by insurance but usually ends up being 10-20% of that amount.

Glad to see you are feeling better even if your wallet is not.

[FSETH]

Isn't that rediculous?

I wonder what your out-of-pocket expenses were at the end of the day?

Get well.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy

That is the amount you would be expected to pay if you were uninsured and the number the insurance company uses to calculate your share of cost. The actual amount paid varies by insurance but usually ends up being 10-20% of that amount.

So, does that mean KMan's parent's insurer will end up only paying
~10-20$ of that whopping bill?

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by motordavid

So, does that mean KMan's parent's insurer will end up only paying
~10-20$ of that whopping bill?

Usually that is the case. Most insurance carriers have contracts with hospitals and caps on specific costs. The amount of write offs at hospitals is astronomical when you consider the contracted fees vs the list prices. Then throw in the fact that less than 15% of the people who are uninsured pay a dime after they are billed. Why even pay $1000 if you owe $118,000?

[motordavid]

LabGuy,
I sort of figured that...but, if so, why even bother pumping out a bust out
Retail Plus 50% rip off bill? Is that so the hosp can manipulate the situ, or
charge some poor walk-in dead beat the full tilt boogie "price"?

Very odd to me..."health care", what a fiasco, imo.
BR,mD

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by motordavid

LabGuy,
I sort of figured that...but, if so, why even bother pumping out a bust out
Retail Plus 50% rip off bill? Is that so the hosp can manipulate the situ, or
charge some poor walk-in dead beat the full tilt boogie "price"?

Very odd to me..."health care", what a fiasco, imo.
BR,mD

Yep...I'm sure some of the Doc's here could go into more detail but part of the game is coordinated by the hospital and insurance. The large bill equates to more share of cost for the patient and more collected for minor stays and procedures for people who are uninsured. Then you have the large RED on the books so you can turn to the government and community for funds to keep operational showing them staggering losses.

It ends up being a bargaining chip for the hospitals and a good sell for solicitation of donations. Keep in mind many hospitals are still supported by endowments, charities and communities.