What If Insurers Stop Paying for Hospitals' Mistakes?

Carol Bradley Bursack is Answering questions Caregiver Author, blogger and eldercare columnist For over twenty years author, columnist and speaker Carol Bradley... Send Message Subscribe: Carol Bradley Bursack

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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With healthcare ranking as one of this election year's top issues, we're bound to see many stories of interest for those of us caring for elders (or with health issues of our own). Here's one of the latest. From The Wall Street Journal comes a story titled "Insurers Stop Paying ...

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Untitled Comment
Sue
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 09:21 PM

Thanks for your post Carol.

Ok but does this mean that each insurance company can have its own sets of guidelines as to what to pay and what not to pay? And as you say - how is it "proven" what constitutes a mistake - "says who?"

Of course these intentions are good. But I am wondering if there are other ways to avoid mistakes in treatment - more education and training for staff, higher pay, stricter ramifications from JCAHO accrediting, etc.

Seems this could just stir up more malpractice and lawyer fees.

Just some thoughts.

Thanks and all the best, Sue (aka SMM)

re: Untitled Comment
Carol Bradley Bursack
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 07:30 AM

I agree with all of your questions. I have the same ones. The intentions are to force hospitals to do better. But how do we, the consumer, come out? Who has to prove what? We are pretty helpless when pitted against a the assets of a hospital. These questions remain to be answered. Thanks for your comment.
Carol