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Untitled Comment
Lisa Emrich
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 07:12 PMre: Untitled Comment
Mandy Crest
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 07:29 PMJust another example of folks who haven't walked in the shoes of a person living with chronic illness like multiple sclerosis. Funny thing is, even though we've been blessed with MS, we still get other health problems, just like everyone else. It just piles on.
I especially was interested in the "shop around" theory. Where I live, there are only two places to get an MRI -- and they are operated by the same people.
We have little choice even when it comes to neurologists. For a long time, every neurologist in town was in the same practice. Last year, one finally went out on his own. Now we have two choices.
I can't shop around for better individual insurance either. That pesky old MS thing again.
Oh, and as far as my MS meds? I'm only allowed one pharmacy. No choice whatsoever. Oh yeah, no generics either.
The people who think we are at fault for our out-of-control expenses had better think again... and do it before they are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with a serious disease.
Thanks, Lisa. Let's just keep doing what we do... inform and educate. We oughta take this show on the road!
re: re: Untitled Comment
Lisa Emrich
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 08:14 PMSo Mandy, how do you feel about Consumer-Directed Health Care? You know, the kind where if consumer/patients have more "skin in the game" then they will make "wiser" decisions in how to spend their healthcare dollars. Makes me want to slap somebody.
I think you've got a great idea with that roadshow.
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Good post
Julie
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 07:36 PMHi Mandy:
You write so clearly and knowledgably about this area. Thank you for being such a great advocate for all of us. This is such a complex and important area.
I've always taken health care coverage for granted -- we pay the premiums, complain a bit when they go up, but it hasn't been a big issue. My husband and I have good jobs so no cause for fear, right? But my diagnosis and MS health issues are causing a number of work interruptions that have led us to discuss a backup plan in case I lose my coverage. Even with the coverage, dr's bills and hospital costs are a constant in our lives and even with our very good insurance, we are starting to realize that we're just a few hospital stays away from significant financial stress.
Health care is a major issue now and you'd better believe it's a big factor in who I'll vote for in this presidential election. It's personal.
re: Good post
Mandy Crest
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 07:45 PMThank you for the compliments.
The support we receive from you and the community of readers here at The Health Central Network encourages us to continue our efforts to educate and inform.
Unfortunately, many people don't see the disaster looming in their own lives until they feel that first symptom of good health going bad. Then come the tests. Then comes the diagnosis. Then comes the lifetime of chrnoic illness. Followed by a financial mess that spins rapidly out of control.
I will never stop advocating for us.
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You're speaking my language Mandy!!!
I read a nice article in the Washington Post today regarding Tight Budgets and Medical Care. The MS patient, Ann, tells of her out-of-pocket cost for an annual MRI of $3000. Seems that a few commenters (see below) had some opinions on that figure.
I had the traditional brain/cervical spine MRI w&w/o contrast this spring, although my neurologist does not recommend routine annual films. The MRI center billed my insurance company $6000; insurance lowered that charge to $5000; my co-pay is 10% so I paid $500; and insurance paid $4500.
The folks quoted below seem to think that even $3000 is too much for an MRI what they're talking about.
One comment:
MRIs are often over-prescribed by doctors because they are nearly 100 percent profit. I am no expert, but I think Ms. Pietrangelo's co-pay is very high and a result of her frequent utilization of elective (and not as frequently needed) procedures.
And HOLY CRAP! How much does a freaking MRI cost? Are doctors and hospitals price gouging? I think we are naive to blindly trust doctors and hospitals. They are trying to make money the same as a care salesman.
Another comment:
$3000 for an MRI? This woman needs to shop around. The cash price should be far less than this.
Yet another comment:
A MRI SHOULD NOT EVEN COST $3.000 OUT IN THE BURBS, LET ALONE A $3,000 CO-PAYMENT !!!
And a final one:
Let's accept more pain. Let's pay in cash. Let's keep the government out of it.
Let's take more responsibility and break the enslavement of the medical industry and its voracious parastical realtionship with insurnace companies. the price will be high foe awhile, and sacrifices, huge ones-people who could have been saved but were not, pain and suffering of the innocent will occur. But in the end, doctors will recieve what the market will bear, and what the client can afford to pay. Not every unemployed 90 year old person "deserves" a hip replacement."
Just some interesting view points from folks who are not us.
Lisa