I continue to be amazed by the medical community. My mother's doctor said it is "sick," and she worries about catastrophic illness.
Syndicated Columnist Nicholas Kristof states that U.S ranks 31st in life expectancy. 37th in infant mortality. Americans take 10% fewer drugs than citizens in other countries but pay 118% more per pill that they do take. We say we're the best, but we are behind Europe. Citizens in other countries get longer hospital stays and more medication than Americans do, because our insurance companies evict people from hospitals as soon as they stagger of bed.
I e-mailed my doctor and asked about getting my MUGA scan scheduled for the end of the month. "Could I please schedule it on the same day I see you and have chemo so I only have to take one day off of work?" All of a sudden it became imperative for them that I have it ASAP. What would have happened if I hadn't e-mailed? My chemo would be canceled until I could have it. Group Health confirmed that there are no appointment slots open in Tacoma until mid December. So I am now scheduled in Bellevue for this Monday.
Group Health has medical records on line. I'm actually getting freaked out about my $1,000,000 life time limit. The port put in was $10,000, the breast surgery $10,000, each big chemo $6,500, radiation $30,000...and so on. All the costs for physicals and colds, etc. that I've had for the last ten years are adding up.Once in awhile I check my record online for costs. My "little" chemos have ranged from $2,450 to $2,700. I wrote and asked, "Why the difference? They are the same chemical and same amount." They were quite quick to respond. "Our error. They should all be $2,700, but we'll be nice and keep our error at that cost and not change it on your billing."
My question is, if we become to ill to look after ourselves and be our own advocate, who will? Will the government plan stop covering people when they've used a $1,000,000? Will it cover pre-existing conditions? Will the new government health plan cure the system? Will it cure me? Will it cure you? Your loved ones?
Make Pink Tough and Expect Great Things
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WOW!!!!!!!! This was a powerful email.
ReplyDeleteHealth care costs are insane. My little broken wrist scenario when all was said and done added up to $26,000. One little slip on wet grass. This week my mother in Canada became ill. She has heart issues. She is 75.
Her BP was up, she was having back pain, she was vomiting and severe diarrhea. My brother was there and they called a health link line.
They sent an H1N1 van to rule out swine flu first. It appears the H1N1 van diagnoses so ill people do not contaminate the regular clinics and hospital emergency rooms. I learned then that they have opened special clinics for just the flu. Socialized medicine. And there is plenty of swine flu vaccine for everyone. My mom is fine it appears afer a gamant of tests that it was a stomach bug. Point is Leah, you are correct. Who will be there,,,,,and who benefits from the overinflated health care costs. Why are people having to chose to eat or take their meds. I think you need to forward your blog post to the people who make a difference.
Meanwhile good luck on the scan and your next chemo. My arms are wrapped around you and sending love. Be sure to rest and take care of yourself. Love you.
I share your concern about lifetime maximum benefits in a health plan. Being in my early twenties, my concern stems from the fact that I've got a long way to go and already those numbers are piling on quickly. After the birth of our last child I noticed we already had a hefty bill of over $35,000. It may not seem like a lot when put near a number like $1,000,000 or $2,000,000, but when you consider $35,000 was the cost of a pretty routine child birth, I can only imagine what happens when catastrophe stikes.
ReplyDeleteHealth care costs are one of the reasons that I have been actively involved in reform discussion. I'm surprised your Group Health plan has a 1,000,000 limit - in Puyallup our choices of plans have a few one or two million dollar limit plans, then Group Health with no lifetime limit. I am of the opinion that no one should profit as a result of sickness, for any reason. Some people say that it is ok for folks to profit from medicine and I do not believe that to be the case. When there is incentive for people to remain sick or to cut care, it is not ok.
Not to sound extra jaded or anything, but unfortunately, the latest health care bill probably won't do a whole lot. If it does pass, things like pre-existing conditions become a thing of the past and I do believe the lifetime limits go away too but I need to check on that to be sure. The bill the house passed does not mean socialized medicine, or "single payer" system. In fact, the small "public option" isn't available to the public at all, so there isn't any reason to think it will be better or worse.
As far as efficiency, Group Health is actually a leader in technology and cost control. Unfortunately with efficiency there can be a perception of a lack of empathy. It is a tough subject when dealing with the unknown and sickness, made tougher by the fact that lives are on the line. What I do know, however, is that as American's we're pretty awful in terms of health, and our system is broken, so it is time to try something else.