Comments on: A pit stop on the Monday OPEN thread

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 03:00:46 +0000

ron,

hospitals are able to write off uncollected bills of virtually any sort, the largest of which we are led to believe is the cost of providing service to the uninsured. however, they routinely took advantage (and the biggest one in this area to do so is the biggest non-profit hospital in town) by trying to write off even more easily collectible charges and co-pays. that’s what they wanted to do with my elderly friend. they wanted her in court, so they could “show” they tried to collect her charges. they didn’t care to realize that they had the correct billing information…so they could have been collecting their money all along…and they wouldn’t “listen” to her, i guess ’cause she was elderly, ya know. they WANTED to write it off!

By: gdad

gdad — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:49:09 +0000

“until you understand what the real unemployment rate is currently g, no point in discussing anything with you sweetie”

Im proud to be able to tell the difference between “42″ and “52.”

Anyway, thanks for admitting you can’t answer my question.

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:20:56 +0000

I think there are many ways the medical community gets too much from Medicare.

http://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/09/15/10810/how-doctors-and-hospitals-have-collected-billions-questionable-medicare-fees

http://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/09/19/10812/growth-electronic-medical-records-eases-path-inflated-bills

By: Ron May

Ron May — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:53:45 +0000

I’mm not sure what the exact Medicare rule on co-pays & deductibles is Kristen. I know, for example, that my doctor visit co-pay is $25. So I either right a check when I’m leaving the doctor’s office or swipe my credit card. Apparently this is not always the case with Medicare patients. According to my sister in law, it’s pretty frequent at hospitals. If they are not able to collect the co-pays or deductibles, the rest of us will pay them through the rates for service we pay.

By: dobbs

dobbs — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:46:16 +0000

Pammala, allow me to rephrase gdad’s question:
“Tell us, pammala, exactly what the real unemployment rate would have been and how long the recession would have lasted without the spending. Please provide links to your proof.”

See? Really the same question. One you will never answer.

Personally, “sweetie,” I will NOT be waiting.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:32:40 +0000

Ron, my understanding of co-pays is that they are collected at POS. I also thought there was a law in place compelling providers to collect it.
Once you stop making patients pay copays or their deductible, there’s nothing keeping them from running to the doctor every time they get a hangnail.

By: Ron May

Ron May — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:08:58 +0000

I guess that’s just a risk that goes with the territory Sandi.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:25:41 +0000

hey pammela, sheesh, how’d i miss that?

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:24:19 +0000

hey kristen, and ron,

the practice was begun so hospitals would be able to get some relief from absorbing the un-paid cost of services they are required to provide for the uninsured. Ron knows that, and I’m a little suprised that it had to come to you from me. the grand plan is, that cost “goes away” when more people get insured. in other words, there will still be a cost, but it will go under a different name.

how close am i on that, Ron?

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:18:13 +0000

And your faithful sidekick too. What a classy couple you make. Come on in Suzie, their bile is fine.