Got to watch them like a hawk....sneaky bastards.

[basstracker89]

Older people especially will pay a bill without looking at the EOB, explanation of benefits.

I know T The Old Jaybird and I have been on opposite sides of the billing arguments, but we both find “balance billing” and fishing repugnant.

I know, for a fact that when I worked for a big gastroenterologist “corporation “ (they were #1 a business and #2 a healthcare provider), that they billed astronomical charges for the anesthesia I provided, but paid me a whole lot less! In essence, if one person paid what was charged, the company covered my salary for a day. And I was doing 12-20 anesthetics a day.

A patient’s insurance would be billed, often a four digit amount, the insurance would agree to pay the accepted rate of a few to several three digits, and then the company would send out a “bill” showing that the insurance company didn’t pay the total “charges”.

It looked like the patient needed to pay the difference, but upon closer examination, somewhere in the micetype it would say “this is not a bill”.

And yet, people, especially the elderly , would pay it.

Unethical and now mostly illegal.

I don’t work there anymore.

On the other hand, Medicare and Medicaid don’t pay enough to cover actual costs, and worker’s compensation pays way more than most private insurance. Figure that one out.

Always, always read the “bill” which is usually an EOB.

WOW. Good advise

 

[rockyfatcat]

I was involved in billing for a podiatry practice some 30 years ago. The doctor had to bill above what Medicare would approve, then Medicare would pay80% of that.

Back then I had a doctor say to me that the government balanced its budget on the backs of doctors by slashing Medicare payments.

The cycle continues and has only gotten worse. Only now the dollar values have tripled and the playing Field has evolved into a series of preferred providers and in care / out of network providers.

This will only get worse. The Obama care fiasco has given the green light to the insurance companies to rape pillage and burn.

Like big pharmaceutical being given the ultimatum by our president. The insurance companies and the Obamacare fiasco has to be addressed or this will only continue.

 

[GodBlessTheUSA]

the government balanced its budget on the backs of doctors by slashing Medicare payments.

The cycle continues and has only gotten worse.

Every year CMS tries to "pull back" payments to 1990s and even 1980s medicare levels.

ASC Certified mechanics can make over $150/ hour and have no "cap" on or check on the actual time they spend working on a vehicle.

Yet hospitals have to (HAVE TO) accept medicare and medicaid rates that are 30+ years old, i.e. do not show any realistic adjustment for inflation.

Pay less will sooner or later end up meaning Get Less.

 

[Bypass]

I don't trust "Medical professionals" any more than I trust a professional hooker.

I went to get my teeth cleaned I am 52 years old and no cavities.

The dumb ass bitch dentist said I had a cavity she took a sharp item and was poking around in my mouth asking me "Doe's that hurt"? Which it never did because I have no cavities. The bitch dentist quickly picked up something and struck the metal object she was poking my tooth with. I about came out of my chair and almost decked the bitch. Not because it hurt because it didn't but because the whore was purposely trying to damage my tooth.

And the bill for a teeth cleaning 650 dollars and the whore also charged my insurance company.

Now because I'm 100 P&T I go to Birmingham VA for dental.

BTW I still don't have any cavities.

 

[rockyfatcat]

I don't trust "Medical professionals" any more than I trust a professional hooker.

I went to get my teeth cleaned I am 52 years old and no cavities.

The dumb ass bitch dentist said I had a cavity she took a sharp item and was poking around in my mouth asking me "Doe's that hurt"? Which it never did because I have no cavities. The bitch dentist quickly picked up something and struck the metal object she was poking my tooth with. I about came out of my chair and almost decked the bitch. Not because it hurt because it didn't but because the whore was purposely trying to damage my tooth.

And the bill for a teeth cleaning 650 dollars and the whore also charged my insurance company.

Now because I'm 100 P&T I go to Birmingham VA for dental.

BTW I still don't have any cavities.

I hear ya. My daughter was told she needed 4 wisdom teeth removed and it was going to cost some ungodly amount.

I flew her to Cancun, they basically explained that she only needed 2. I don’t remember if it was uppers or lowers, but they went on to explain that here in the states they were going to do all 4 regardless.

The trip including airfare for 2, dental, and our Airbnb was less than what they wanted to charge her here. Plus we had a great vacation

 

[WallsGa]

Older people especially will pay a bill without looking at the EOB, explanation of benefits.

I know T The Old Jaybird and I have been on opposite sides of the billing arguments, but we both find “balance billing” and fishing repugnant.

I know, for a fact that when I worked for a big gastroenterologist “corporation “ (they were #1 a business and #2 a healthcare provider), that they billed astronomical charges for the anesthesia I provided, but paid me a whole lot less! In essence, if one person paid what was charged, the company covered my salary for a day. And I was doing 12-20 anesthetics a day.

A patient’s insurance would be billed, often a four digit amount, the insurance would agree to pay the accepted rate of a few to several three digits, and then the company would send out a “bill” showing that the insurance company didn’t pay the total “charges”.

It looked like the patient needed to pay the difference, but upon closer examination, somewhere in the micetype it would say “this is not a bill”.

And yet, people, especially the elderly , would pay it.

Unethical and now mostly illegal.

I don’t work there anymore.

On the other hand, Medicare and Medicaid don’t pay enough to cover actual costs, and worker’s compensation pays way more than most private insurance. Figure that one out.

Always, always read the “bill” which is usually an EOB.

Sounds like AGI. My wife worked for those crooks for a short time.