Random Thought of the Day

Barbara Eden told Bill Maher she was working Vegas at the Desert Inn one time and a guy died in front. They covered him up with a tablecloth, and she only knew ‘cause Shecky Green was ranting about it later ruining his show.

Quote: missedhervee

Indeed there is.

I recently had robotic surgery performed: before I went under I espied the robot: looked a lot like an octopus with many arms.

Amazing tech where I assume the surgeon wields a joystick not a scalpel.

I had "robotic" back surgery about four years ago and was under-impressed by the robot. The surgury and the results were fantastic, but their definition of robotic surgery did not met my expectation.

Is THIS one of the best marketing ideas ever? LOL

Useful to know. Woman fell, broke her elbow. Got it repaired. Bill skyrocketed to $96,000

Quote:

The best time to push back against a price is before surgery, upon receiving a hospital’s best guess on costs, known as a “good faith estimate.” Otherwise, undergoing surgery is considered tacit acceptance of that price as a baseline.

Quote: rxwine

Useful to know. Woman fell, broke her elbow. Got it repaired. Bill skyrocketed to $96,000

I didn't know this not so long ago, but these outrageous prices come from the hospital negotiating with insurance companies. When they open negotiations, they dream up the highest amount they can, short of the US national debt. When the insurance co makes a counter offer, it might be a small fraction of that amount. If you don't have insurance, though, they might just grab that initial negotiating amount . Must not be every time, since they can't like it making the news.

It's one more reason you can't go around without insurance

They also expect you to negotiate in these situations. I didn't know that till recently either

Quote: rxwine

Useful to know. Woman fell, broke her elbow. Got it repaired. Bill skyrocketed to $96,000

When I had my back surgery in 2020 my good faith estimate was $234,000. Fortunately, my insurance paid most and my out of pocket was only around $10k.

Quote: DRich

When I had my back surgery in 2020 my good faith estimate was $234,000. Fortunately, my insurance paid most and my out of pocket was only around $10k.

You had terrible insurance. I don’t remember what I paid for my major surgery a few years ago because it was maybe $100 or so. Maybe less? I’d LOVE to see your bill if you still have it!

I just had an open reduction to repair a fractured left elbow: once all is done I'll let you know the total bill, the adjustments, and the amounts paid by my insurer and myself.

A recent bowel resection started at a quarter million: i paid less than two grand as my share.

Medicare and a good advantage plan...ka-ching.

Quote: missedhervee

I just had an open reduction to repair a fractured left elbow: once all is done I'll let you know the total bill, the adjustments, and the amounts paid by my insurer and myself.

A recent bowel resection started at a quarter million: i paid less than two grand as my share.

Medicare and a good advantage plan...ka-ching.

I just went with the ‘Medicare Advantage HMO’ type plan. I think I’d pay a few hundred if I needed a bowel resection. What I do know from first hand experience, is that my bill, the anesthesiologist, would be covered 100% by the majority of private health insurances.

Ugh on both operations, by the way!

Quote: SOOPOO

Ugh on both operations, by the way!

Ugh, indeed...two major events this summer.

Reminds me of the bad luck I had in college: two trips to the hospital for car wrecks (concussion, broken wrist, compression fracture of T-3) and one industrial accident while working construction in the summer which broke both ankles.

But I write it all off to "variance" aka a bit of "bad luck."

This too shall pass...that's what I keep reminding myself and hey, it has, at least so far...just give it time.

Here I sit, essentially housebound, high on hydrocodone and with the internet at my fingertips.