Something's Wrong

TF121 2 months, 2 weeks ago

In the USA, we spend more on health care than the next 10 biggest spenders combined: Japan, Germany, France, China, the U.K., Italy, Canada, Brazil, Spain and Australia. Our healthcare "system" is about maximizing profit at all levels: facilities (including hospitals), insurers, equipment manufacturers and distributors, drug companies, etc. It is criminal, what's going on here. A Universal Care/Single Payer is the answer. Take the profit out of the equation. Healthcare insurance companies go away.

See the recent TIME cover story at: http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/20/bitter-pill-why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/#ixzz2Mmp8zSXJ

SH59 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Several years ago I went to the emergency room for what I thought was a broken ankle but turned out to be a bad sprain. They wanted to give me a brace and when I asked the person fitting it for me what the price was, they didn't have any idea. When I went to check out with the brace on my foot I again asked how much it costs and they had to make a phone call to find out. When I heard how much I took it off and left it on the desk and limped out. I could buy the same thing at my pharmacy for a quarter of the cost. It really bugged me that although they say they run as a business they don't have any idea what each thing costs as they give it to us.

foregolf 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The healthcare prices are outrageous. But I wonder how much of those charges are for the "amenities" and comfort during a typical hospital stay. Did he have a private room, with a TV, phone? Did he get to order whatever food he wanted whenever he wanted? First Health is almost run like a hotel with all the of comforts it now provides.

Courseaire 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Just send the bill to 1600 Pa Ave., DC Attn:BHO, he'll take care of it.

Middleman522 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I think you have to look at several things to find a cause for these crazy prices for specialized and normal health care. Prices started really going up because of malpractice fines and settlements, resulting in high insurance rates for doctors, years ago(Johnny Edwards). Then you started seeing our hospitals flooded with people in their emergency rooms, legal and illegal, with no money or insurance, that they could not refuse treatment. Insurance fraud and other criminal practices have raised everyones' costs, and now we have the confusion brought on by "affordable care act" that has everyone in the healthcare industry going crazy trying to figure out all 1500 new regulations (Barry). This takes lawyers and accountants, and healthcare professionals to figure out. If only it had been as easy as Palosi said, "We've got to pass this bill so we can find out what's in it"!! Unfortunately we are now finding out! The finest health care system in the world has been attacked by lawyers for years, and still is!

TF121 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Folks, Please just read the TIME article at: http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/20/bitter-pill-why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/#ixzz2Mmp8zSXJ

teufelhunden 2 months, 2 weeks ago

yeah and it's about to get a lot worse.

buddysmith 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I had to go recently, to the emergency room for an accident, I sat in the chair while my daughter checked me in at the desk. I sat there for 45 minutes listening to every person, checking in at that counter, giving their medicaid numbers to the receptionist. I think I was the only person, out of 25, in that waiting room with insurance. I have since found out that most urgent care centers do not take medicaid, so with the least little problem the medicaid folks march to the emergency room. The costs, to we who pay taxes, has to be astronomical compared to an urgent care office. I watched one lady bouncing her kid on her knee and chasing it around the waiting room playing. when they called her name to go back to the doctor she suddenly developed a severe limp!

buddysmith 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I also went years ago to the emergency room with a blown disc in my neck. they put me on a bed and gave me some medicine. I went to the desk, after the examination, to fill out the paperwork because they decided to keep me for a few days. as i was standing at the desk, i had a severe reaction to the medication and passed out. a nurse caught me in a wheel chair as I fell and took me back into the emergency department and put me on a different bed. months later i was looking at my itemized charges for the whole adventure and noticed they had charged me for 2 emergency room beds at 345.00 each. I disputed the charge because i had not been out of the first bed for more than 5 minutes before i passed out. the hospital did not charge me for the second bed in the end. it is best to ask for an itemized list of all charges and dont be afraid to dispute anything if you think it wasnt needed.

fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

"I sat there for 45 minutes listening to every person, checking in at that counter, giving their medicaid numbers to the receptionist."

What ER did you go to? Insurance/medicaid information is not part of the registration/check in at MRH ER. In fact it is not discussed until the patient is in the exam room.

pgericson 2 months, 2 weeks ago

As the Time Magazine article points out, there are people who earn a living by taking on hospital billings on behalf of individuals presented with outrageous bills. The article is really eye-opening.

buddysmith 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Fg, I repeatedly heard the word medicaid from every person in the line behind me, I wasnt there for a hearing problem, maybe i struck a nerve with you? are you a recipient too?

Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago

ouch!

fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

"maybe i struck a nerve with you? are you a recipient too?"

No, its just that I know for an absolute fact that what you posted is not accurate. I can't say it any more plain than that.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Americans beginning to catch on.There's hope yet.

samosamo 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I recently visited my Doctor, I need a test, Due to change in insurance it became self pay. I was told the Doc would have billed my insurance 300.00 My cost 30.00 Where's the problem? It's the free market capitalism we cherish.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

If you're saying office visit, doctor care, patient pays doctor...you're going to see a lot more of that. And good on it!

Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Geoff - Are you saying that Doctor's will offer us better deals if we pay intstead of making them process thru ins. or obamacare? Interesting.

JimRussell44 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Geoff Cutler, as a small business owner, do your employees have company provided health care?

samosamo 2 months, 2 weeks ago

It all started in the 80's GREED IS GOOD Deregulate everything.

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Actual facts, not Faux News Talking Points:

In 2004, the CBO calculated malpractice costs amounted to “less than 2 percent of overall health care spending. Thus, even a reduction of 25 percent to 30 percent in malpractice costs would lower health care costs by only about 0.4 percent to 0.5 percent, and the likely effect on health insurance premiums would be comparably small.” (1)

Five years later, the CBO revisited the issue of medical negligence costs. This time, they attempted to account for the indirect costs of medical negligence, mainly the idea that doctors order extra tests to avoid liability. Again, the CBO found that tort reform would only save 0.5 percent of all health care costs (2)

Other authorities have also found that the direct costs associated with medical negligence are a tiny fraction of health care costs. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the total amount of money spent defending claims and compensating victims of medical negligence in 2010 was $5.8 billion, or just 0.3 percent of the $2.6 trillion spent on health care in the U.S. that same year.(3)

Conclusion: medical malpractice is not the main driver of health care costs. That's a lie told to you by the insurance industry and by doctors who often make money from the tests they claim are "necessary so they won't get sued."

References:

(1) Limiting Tort Liability for Medical Malpractice, Congressional Budget Office, January 8, 2004; for the purposes of the chart, Personal Health Care Expenditures is taken from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and is $1.88 trillion (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/tables.pdf - tables 1 & 2), and total spent on medical malpractice insurance is Tillinghast Towers Perrin (2008 Update on U.S. Tort Cost Trends, Tillinghast Towers Perrin, 2008); The CBO has reaffirmed its earlier findings that tort reform does not lower health care costs. In 2008, the agency found that “the effect [of tort limits] would be relatively small— less than 0.5 percent of total health care spending.”- Budget Options Volume 1 Health Care, Congressional Budget Office, December 2008.

(2) Bernard Black, Charles Silver, David A. Hyman, and William M. Sage, Stability, Not Crisis: Medical Malpractice Claim Outcomes in Texas, 1988-2002, Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, 2005.

(3) Personal Health Care Expenditures taken from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and is $2.6 Trillion. Total spent on paying and defending medical malpractice claims from National Association of Insurance Commissioners (Profitability By Line By State 2010, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), 2011), and is $5.8 Billion. Percentages may not round up due to both rounding and the fact that CMS does not regard medical negligence costs as health care costs.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

JER, your tendency to get personal is not only off topic, but none of your business.

fatboy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

If you think that healthcare is expensive now, wait until 2014 when it's "Affordable"..not

Bigguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

This is not to bash President Bush, President Obama or any president before them. That knee surgury would have been way too expensive any year. People have been talking about health care costs rising since the 1930's. Most people may not agree on Affordable Care Act, but something had to start happening or nothing would happen. Quit say it is comparable to being a Nazi, Socialist, or Communist for wanting to take care of Americans who cannot afford a $36,000.00 knee, or any other life threatening medical condition.

NCgolfer 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Middleman 522 is correct. This all started in the '70s when people began to sue the doctors. OB/GYN's couldn't deliver a baby without the parents starting the "college fund" through a lawsuit. It just continued out of control until you have the mess we have today. In the not to far future people with money will receive healthcare and those without will simply survive the best they can.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

If you're a doctor who receives $10.00 on every $100.00 of patient care, how long will it be before you consider a practice with one on one patient/doctor care? If you wanted to enter in to this "Back to the Future" contract with your doctor, you would not be allowed to sue him, which is of course, as NCgolfer explains, exactly why we are in the mess we are today.

Middleman522 2 months, 2 weeks ago

We can't be talking smack about Dusty's hero, John Edwards... And he's saying malpractice insurance has not gone up or caused doctors fees to go up. Really Dusty?? So I guess it's George W Bush's fault again, Dusty??

Bigguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

John Edwards is a classless low life bum! But if that had been your child that was horribly injured and who will need medical treatment for the rest of his life. I'm sure any of you would have been glad to have represented by that scoundrel. I remember in the 70's when my father was being treated at Duke for cancer, if he hadn't had good insurance our family would have been wiped out financially. 40 years later if I hadn't had good insurance my family would have been wiped out financially for the treatment I received at Duke. It's not about Bush or Obama, it's about treatment that is so expensive and insurance rates that are too damn high for a lot of people struggling to make ends meet.

JimRussell44 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Geoff Cutler, thanks for your comment (it's none of my business). You have answered my question.

JimHeim 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Health care in this country is over-priced and worse than most of the developed world. Republicans stand in the way of fixing it.

It is not a Medicare expense problem. It is not a Medicaid cost problem. It is not a military medical care cost problem. There is a national health care cost problem. And it is the most significant cost factor the nation faces. And even with the ACA, it's going to continue getting worse.

If we had the kind of health care system that most of the countries in the OECD enjoy, we would live longer, healthier lives and the federal government would be running a surplus. Why Republicans resist developing such a system is beyond me. I guess they're afraid they won't get the credit.

Mythreekids 2 months, 2 weeks ago

buddysmith: If you were at MRH ER you did Not hear Medicaid or any other insurance identified. The only information asked at the desk where you check in is the person's name, if they've been there before and maybe what they are coming in for. Perhaps you were at another facility. Not saying you have a hearing problem at all, it just isn't done at FHC-MRH or RMH.

JimHeim 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Under HIPAA, I doubt it would be legal to have system where personal information could revealed where it could be overheard. Mr Smith's account sounds bogus from end-to-end.

I've been to the local ER a few times and have never seen or heard anything like the account we're expected to swallow.

JimHeim 2 months, 2 weeks ago

wdd - I don't know what companies you're looking at but wages in this country have been stagnant for forty years while corporate profits have nearly tripled. Forty percent of America's workers make less than the minimum wage in 1968 when adjusted for inflation.

TF121 2 months, 2 weeks ago

JimHeim: be assured, the Democrats are just as bad as the Republicans with the healthcare issue. This could have been effectively addressed a few administrations ago, when the Dems had majority control. Unfortunately, the healthcare industry dollars influenced the Dems and Repubs near equally then, and now. "We the people" need to pressure elected reps at every level to make this a priority.

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

We can't be talking smack about Dusty's hero, John Edwards... And he's saying malpractice insurance has not gone up or caused doctors fees to go up. Really Dusty?? So I guess it's George W Bush's fault again, Dusty??

Once again, we see what happens when I post actual data.

Thanks for proving my point again as to what a pack of brain dead wingnut thugs infests this place.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Well it isn't, JER, and for years now, whenever you get in a snit, you bring up something to do with my work or something else personal that just isn't appropriate on here. And you do not have an answer because I didn't give one. You haven't changed a bit. Grow up!

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

for years now, whenever you get in a snit, you bring up something to do with my work or something else personal that just isn't appropriate on here.

Gee, Geoff, you don't seem to mind when that sort of thing's directed at liberals like me.

Guess your "principles' are purely dependent on others' politics, which means they aren't really principles at all.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

That's actually not true. Your law practice should not be fair game for derision or other personal stuff in this forum. Especially since you have the courage to use your own name, like I do.

fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

"People should lay off the personal stuff about your practice."

But thats different...somehow.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Fugitive, you're responding faster than I can edit and say what I'm trying to say. Funny!

fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

"Gee, Geoff, you don't seem to mind when that sort of thing's directed at liberals like me."

I find it very odd that DR expects those of us that he is constantly at odds with to come to his defense and when we don't of course it means we support whatever slight he imagines is directed his way. To my knowledge he has never defended any of us, nor would I expect him to. With the above line I can't help but wonder, does he always think its about him?

Thatcher 2 months, 2 weeks ago

On several occasions, I've tried to defend someone here, only to have that person call me a wingnut. Live and learn. Cheers!

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

You'll notice that there's been no response or acknowledgement of being mistaken when I said his practice should not be targeted on this website. I'll wait.

citizen 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The Time article referenced in this thread is informative and infuriating. If you haven't yet read it, please try to. Good grief!

Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago

What does an average doctor make compared to a Congressman or Senator? Which does more for humanity?

Spocks_Brain 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Good god DR has gone mad, a lawyer telling us lawyers arent making things more expensive. Why don"t you check into sex change hospital, hey you can get an ' in transition' passport courtesy of your gay president!

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Note the complete lack of any attempt to refute or even mention the figures cited. In fact, once I post, the usual pack of hounds starts barking...and they're not barking about the subject at hand, they're barking about me and how I hurt their feelings.

I'm not the one who makes it all about me, boys. That's your doing.

And Geoff, I do appreciate your saying that my profession is off limits. But please don't pretend it's something you ever said before your own ox was the one getting gored. Cheers!

teufelhunden 2 months, 2 weeks ago

To mythreekids-It is possible that the person or person(s) overheard at the ED offered that information to the receptionist without being asked? Yes. Some people do that and if the person behind that person thought that was the customary thing to do, or doesn't know any better, isn't it indeed possible that a few other people offered that information without being asked as well? Especially if they were talking amongst themselves. Yes. Possible.

teufelhunden 2 months, 2 weeks ago

There are lots and lots of things that "never" happen that actually do-quite often.

teufelhunden 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I've heard people talking about their insurance (or lack thereof) quite openly at medical facilities. Complaining about their OOP expenses and whatnot.

Middleman522 2 months, 2 weeks ago

By the way Dusty, you're going to need to come to the right in order to be a liberal, being a progressive extremist like you are. You embarrass liberals. Where ever you got your crap for facts, you can't make anyone believe that malpractice has not raised healthcare costs. Doctors are giving way too many tests, just trying to cover their butts, because of malpractice. And their insurance has gone up. What hole do you think in!

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

you can't make wingnuts believe that malpractice has not raised healthcare costs

There, fixed that for you.

I know you and the rest of the right wing goon squad won't ever believe the truth. You're hopeless. You're too invested in the lie.

You people are always whining "wahh waaah wahh, you never post facts or argue, you just call people names." But when I post facts, you don't even attempt to argue with them or analyze them, you just handwave them away. That's why you get mocked.

That's also why the figures aren't for you and the other blockheads. As the Good Book says, " he who has ears to hear, let him hear." The rest of you can go back to your regularly scheduled whining, demands that the Pilot silence me, and Zombie Lies.

moonchild7 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The idea that there has to be a PROFIT MARGIN in our Health Care System is not only WRONG, it's EVIL. We all need to get a Health Card when we're born and that's it. All of this other GOBBILY-GOO must go, Salaried Medical Professionals and baseline reimbursements. That's it...the INSURANCE COMPANIES must go. High paid CEO'S must go. Slimey 'DRUG SALESMEN and WOMEN" must go. The REPUBLICANS savaged Hillary Clinton in the 90's over her Health Care Plan and so here we are. If you're a Republican stop complaining and keep quiet. You're complete hypocrites.

Courseaire 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Q. How is Health insurance just like a hospital gown.

A. You only think you’re covered.

==============================

The psychiatrist moves close to the young man in the hospital room. He is staring straight ahead oblivious to his surroundings. Suddenly he starts yelling, “I can’t see! I can’t see!”

Taken aback, the psychiatrist turns to the boy’s mother who is sitting nearby, “Has long has this been going on?”

“Ever since you stepped in front of the TV.” is the lackadaisical response.

geoffcutler 2 months, 2 weeks ago

It's not my job to defend you, Dusty, I did in this case because I was responding to you.

"Gee, Geoff, you don't seem to mind when that sort of thing's directed at liberals like me.

All I did was point out that you were wrong.

fugitiveguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

"All I did was point out that you were wrong."

Dusty wrong? Is that even possible?

Bigguy 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Top Republicans Demand Obama Provide Coverage To People With Pre-Existing Conditions Oh gee, these bunch of Socialists, who are the to tell the insurance company to cover? Mindless bunch of obstructionists's. We are all getting hurt by Boehner and McConnell playing a stupid games to hurt the President. It's a no brainer why we have such a low opinion of Congress.

dentman65 2 months, 2 weeks ago

As a business owner I can tell you there has to be a profit to everything except the federal government. Between Amtrak and USPS they have proven that. Even a not for profit business has to have postive cash flow or "profit" to keep the doors open. Even a small church has to take in enough to pay the preacher and the light bill. I do think however, as an electrical co-op or similar, there should be a federal limit on profits of major medical services, medical manufacturing such as supplies and medications, and insurance companies. Before you hit the roof the reason I say that is because when you are lying in the hospital with a broken leg you are in no position to negotiate, discuss costs, or know if you are being overcharged. There is no way for free enterprise to come into play, you are 100% at their mercy. Think about it; you can shop price on a new TV or a car, but when in the hospital you can't shop for an aspirin or a crutch. They have a monopoly, which I thought were illegal in the US. They can charge you one dollar for the pill, or 1,000 dollars for the pill. I am not aware of any group that protects obscene charges from a hospital. If they make a thousand % markup on an aspirin they have to answer to no-none and it is not fair. You may say that it would go against the theory of capitalism, to regulate what they can charge or the profit they can make, but in that situation price gouging could be rampant, and how would we know? I unerstand a hospital has to make a profit. They have bills and investors that deserve an ROI for getting the hospital built in the first place, but it should be resonable. In my bodyshop business, the auto insurance companies are regulateded somewhat by the NC Insurance Comissioner that the most they have to pay is a 25% markup on new or used parts, and a flat hourly rate I am allowed to charge for labor,paint, and materials. Does anyone know if the hospitals are policed in the same manner?

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I'm not asking you to defend me, Preacher Geoff. I'm asking you not to be such a damned hypocrite all the time.

I know, I might as well ask my dog to sing "Carmen." Don't know why I bother.

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

It is now one day, three hours, and multiple posts since I showed the figures proving that it's not malpractice claims driving up health care costs.

Not ONE of you has addressed them.

You lose.

Themis 2 months, 2 weeks ago

DR- I'll address them - From most of what I have read including your proof indicates that you are correct. When someone is right they are right. But you have to admit it's still fun to blame the lawyers! Just as most people blame the Republicans or the Democrats.

dentman65 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Heck - I'm used to getting blamed for things I didn't do - that's just part of being married - what do you say Courseaire?

LadyLynda 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Dentman65 - Good Post, I never looked at it that way. It is true, you don't dicsuss prices while you are lying there bleeding, you'll pay the price at the time. It is only when we get the bills that we realize we have been taken to the cleaners and have little or no recourse. If you had been bitten by a rattlesnake and they told you the anti-venom was $10,000, would you tell them to just give you half a shot! In the future we may have to wait on it while a board considers if our life is worth that investment under Obamacare.

DannySteen 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The thing is health care cost have been rising since doctors stopped taking chickens for payment. Blaming anyone living today will not help. Blame for not fixing the problem can be spread around to all parties involved. Will Obamacare fix it or make it worse is to be seen. The main problem with Obamacare is that it was not read, discussed or considered what ramifications would come from the changes. There will be good and there will be bad which will weigh the most will not be seen for some time.

LadyLynda 2 months, 2 weeks ago

link textThe most profitable hospital in the US is in San Antonia Texas with a gross income of 4.22 billion last year. Forbes reports that some major hospitals have a profit margin after all expenses of 53%. That means at that margin, San Antonio made 2.23 billion dollars in clear profit in one year. If any of you think that is not from overcharging patients they are wrong. Everyone is entitled to a resonable profit but this profit surely has to be made by overcharging medicaid and patients. None of us in our right minds would pay $500.00 for a pill we can buy at Kerr drugs for five dollars, but they can charge what they want to. The kickbacks and payouts both private and political in the medical field must be huge.

Guy_Forks 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Mrs Pearsall believes that $37,000 is to high a price for a knee replacement. A procedure where they CUT open your body, exposing you to infection and inflammation, for the sole purpose of relieving the pains of aging. You should be remarking that it ONLY cost you 37k, and that you could even get it done. I am so disgusted by older folks like Mrs. Pearsall who likely happily spent more on her car than her husbands knee without complaint! Pitiful!

Courseaire 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Dents: I just say "Yes, Dear" and leave it at that.

DannySteen 2 months, 2 weeks ago

“Forbes reports that some major hospitals have a profit margin after all expenses of 53%. That means at that margin, San Antonio made 2.23 billion dollars in clear profit in one year” Did Forbes say that San Antonio made 2.23 billion dollars in clear profit in one year or did you make that up?

LadyLynda 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I used San Antonio as an example.....here is the clip from Forbes on hospital profits no one wants to talk about! The income of San Antonio I quoted is correct as far as I know. I applied a 53% profit margin to their gross and came up with the other figure. I apologize for any confusion. Health Care America's Most Profitable Hospitals David Whelan, 08.31.10, 10:00 AM EDT Some hospitals make colossal profits. Are they running a tight ship--or using monopoly power to overcharge patients? It's not a discussion hospitals want to have. The most profitable hospital in the country, 235-bed Flowers Medical Center in Dothan, Ala., recorded an incredible 53% operating margin. It is part of the big for-profit Community Health

dustyrhoades 2 months, 2 weeks ago

DR- I'll address them - From most of what I have read including your proof indicates that you are correct.

A glimmer of sanity. Thank you.

citizen 2 months, 2 weeks ago

@Guy F The letter writer said the 37k was just for the hospital bill. Surgeon fees will surely increase the final cost. At what price point would you think it is legitimate to complain about the bill?

blake 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Dusty is right that malpractice costs are not a primary reason for the rise in healthcare costs. However, at 54 billion dollars in savings over 10 yrs (CBO estimates) it was a huge mistake not be be addressed in the healthcare "reform".

bdavis 2 months, 2 weeks ago

yes, please read article http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/20/bitter-pill-why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/

Toda 2 months, 1 week ago

After our last experience in Moore Regional First Health, we began going to UNC Hospitals. Everyone can have an unpleasant experience once in a while, albeit more than three times is more than one's odds may be on surviving a serious illness.

One of those experiences was my wife's hospitalization for "acute bronchitis." The next day she was released and we left First Health and drove to the UNC ER where she was admitted for pneumonia and her stay turned into a week and three days. The time before was critical as well, she was released and again we made that trip to UNC ER. So from now on, we just go to UNC Hospitals and by-pass FH of The Carolina's,

Regardless of kudos for first health, patients are encouraged to bring all medicine bottles to visits. In emergency's that isn't always an option with life threatening emergency situations. UNC Hospitals (regardless of on-campus or off campus) pharmaceuticals as well as medical records are at a physicians fingertips. No confusion or mix-ups about prescribing drug interactions.

Also, if a patient is receiving Medicare, they pay only for the first 48 hours...the reason for those forms given at check-in. The doctors have a tendency to "release' patients early since they are the qualified professionals.

golflady 2 months, 1 week ago

I work at the hospital and this is correct. Estimates that over half of the people in the ER (maternity is also sees a lot of Medicaid) aren't paying at all or are on Medicaid. Sooooooooooo who foots the care for all those folks do you suppose?"

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