Health Insurance is Out of Control

[Raider Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Mike P

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.

I'll bet you our midget gov won't even have to pay that $100 amount towards his hip replacement !