Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulS
So rather than "health insurance" being the problem, isn't this indicative of "health care costs" being the problem? The costs of the hosp. bills is out the control of the insurance industry other than the insurance companies keep costs down by negotiating discounts from the hospital.
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I'll give you an example. My wife had bilateral knee replacement surgery in July, and we just got a statement from Falmouth Hospital. She was there for the surgery on Monday, and for 4 nights. She was discharged to RHCI in Sandwich on Friday.
Total amount billed to Harvard Pilgrim--$89,000. Which doesn't include her surgeon's bill.
$45,000 for the two artificial joints alone.
$10,000 for the anesthesiologist.
$5,000 just for her stay in the recovery room.
Another $5,000 just for pre-op services.
The hospital bill for room and board wasn't too bad $500/night or $2000 in total.
The surgeon's bill will probably be around $50,000--just a guess.
And I expect that a week in RHCI will be at least as expensive as the hospital stay.
We're talking probably a quarter million billed to HP, of which they'll probably pay around 60%
Since Falmouth Hospital is "in network" and the whole thing was pre-approved, we're on the hook for the $100 we paid at admission, and another $100 they just billed us when they sent us the statement of what they billed HP.