U.S. Hospitals - too expensive?

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Stalking accusations are ridiculous on a forum this small.

amazed that no one said this yet: "oh no, Languish is dieing!"

[Eddie Teach]

I stand by my Krackel comment 100%.

[mongers]

For my recent trip first to a medical centre and then to the hospital to have 4/5 stitches put in my chin, could well have cost me $2,000-3,000 in America. 

This is the reason I wouldn't visit America, have an accident and despite medical travel insurance, risk ending up in some administrative BS that leave you with a big bill or possible compromised treatment because of uncertainty of who's paying.    

Please not I'm not saying this is likely to happen, but that it's a fear one doesn't need whilst travelling.

They wouldn't comprimise treatment, and ultimately, they can't make you pay. No one is going to fly across the ocean to break your knees.

dude really? Clean it out real well and use some Steri-strips aka Butterfly stitches.

For Christ's sake.

Oh I know, but the other person insisted on taking me to the medical centre, then the nurses/women all act like mother hens, so I ended up having to have a hospital procedure. 

And the doctor there did such a good stitching job, doesn't look like I'll have any decent/manly scar at all on my chin.   

[Camerus]

I don't worry. I was just told no one would do that.

Willingly travel to Sweden?     You're probably right.

Stockholm is a wonderful city.

[Malthus]

dude really? Clean it out real well and use some Steri-strips aka Butterfly stitches.

For Christ's sake.

That's just it - the people I know in the US who are concerned about their insurance situation would rather perform relatively simple medical procedures on themselves than risk the bills. Also, they generally won't go to the doctor if they think something might be wrong - they wait until they are sure.

Both strike me as fundamentally bad ideas, likely to lead to more costs in the future rather than less (to say nothing of worse outcomes). Preventing stuff is cheaper than fixing stuff.

[11B4V]

dude really? Clean it out real well and use some Steri-strips aka Butterfly stitches.

For Christ's sake.

That's just it - the people I know in the US who are concerned about their insurance situation would rather perform relatively simple medical procedures on themselves than risk the bills. Also, they generally won't go to the doctor if they think something might be wrong - they wait until they are sure.

Both strike me as fundamentally bad ideas, likely to lead to more costs in the future rather than less (to say nothing of worse outcomes). Preventing stuff is cheaper than fixing stuff.

Unsure of what your trying to equate here. By your last sentence, your stating Mongers should watch where his walking and that would have prevented the injury.

[crazy canuck]

dude really? Clean it out real well and use some Steri-strips aka Butterfly stitches.

For Christ's sake.

That's just it - the people I know in the US who are concerned about their insurance situation would rather perform relatively simple medical procedures on themselves than risk the bills. Also, they generally won't go to the doctor if they think something might be wrong - they wait until they are sure.

Both strike me as fundamentally bad ideas, likely to lead to more costs in the future rather than less (to say nothing of worse outcomes). Preventing stuff is cheaper than fixing stuff.

Unsure of what your trying to equate here.

I am pretty sure he is equating a medical system which creates incentives for people to treat themselves for medical issues that might in the end be more costly if they do it wrong as being short sighted, inefficient and idiotic.

[Jacob]

Stalking accusations are ridiculous on a forum this small.

Walk a mile in my shoes.

Wouldn't that be stalking? Or will you take them off first?

[Jacob]

Stalking accusations are ridiculous on a forum this small.

amazed that no one said this yet: "oh no, Languish is dieing!"

It's an American hosted forum. We can't afford to die. The medical costs would be too high.

[Jacob]

Having just had a baby in Canada, I can say that I'm pretty happy with that part of the medical system.

The hospital we went to - BC Women's Hospital - has a policy of one nurse per patient during labour, and one nurse for every four post-partum. We had a nice private room with all kinds of ameneties, and we stayed for a few extra days for observation. Our out of pocket costs: $0.

BB may be right that there are perverse incentives somewhere in our system, but whatever they are I'm fine with them if the alternative is to worry about the potential financial impact of the hospital costs when having a baby - or when having any other kind of medical problem.

Another thing that I only recently learned about is a phone number you can call - 24 hours a day - to speak with a registered nurse practitioner about any kind of health issue. There's pretty much no wait time, and it's a really good way to prevent people from wasting clinic time with trivialities. It might just be a local thing for BC, or even Vancouver, though.

[mongers]

Having just had a baby in Canada, I can say that I'm pretty happy with that part of the medical system.

The hospital we went to - BC Women's Hospital - has a policy of one nurse per patient during labour, and one nurse for every four post-partum. We had a nice private room with all kinds of ameneties, and we stayed for a few extra days for observation. Our out of pocket costs: $0.

BB may be right that there are perverse incentives somewhere in our system, but whatever they are I'm fine with them if the alternative is to worry about the potential financial impact of the hospital costs when having a baby - or when having any other kind of medical problem.

Another thing that I only recently learned about is a phone number you can call - 24 hours a day - to speak with a registered nurse practitioner about any kind of health issue. There's pretty much no wait time, and it's a really good way to prevent people from wasting clinic time with trivialities. It might just be a local thing for BC, or even Vancouver, though.

Hey congratulations to all three of you.


How come I missed this news, didn't you have a thread for the new arrival ?

[grumbler]

Another thing that I only recently learned about is a phone number you can call - 24 hours a day - to speak with a registered nurse practitioner about any kind of health issue. There's pretty much no wait time, and it's a really good way to prevent people from wasting clinic time with trivialities. It might just be a local thing for BC, or even Vancouver, though.

My health care plan has that same feature.  It is so common-sensical that you'd think that any system without it is being moronic, but even with my provider it is only two years or so old.

[Jacob]

Hey congratulations to all three of you.

Thanks

How come I missed this news, didn't you have a thread for the new arrival ?

Don't think I had a thread, but I did mention it at some point.

[Jacob]

My health care plan has that same feature.  It is so common-sensical that you'd think that any system without it is being moronic, but even with my provider it is only two years or so old.

Yeah, it makes a lot of sense.

I'm just enough of a socialist that I think everyone should have access to that kind of service

[alfred russel]

Both strike me as fundamentally bad ideas, likely to lead to more costs in the future rather than less (to say nothing of worse outcomes). Preventing stuff is cheaper than fixing stuff.

I've seen studies on this topic...it certainly sounds good...regular health screenings and tests not only promote good health but also save money. Unfortunately the saving money part doesn't seem to be accurate.