Monday, November 18, 2013

PATIENT VS DOCTOR

Most time when we go to the doctor office before the doctor begin to discuss our health concerns we would really like for him or her to discuss how much they charge. Many times the doctors always say that isn't there field they are just equipped to make sure we feel better and is getting the proper health care we need. But how can we get the best health care if we cant afford to pay him or her for the services rendered. Is everyone like me think that the doctors honestly know how much it is for an MRI, XRAY, CATSCAN but they just don't want to tell us. Honestly i feel like if they tell us then we wont have so many outstanding health care bills because we will be able to setup payment plans with the doctor in order to get him or her paid. So here is a conservation between a doctor and a patient that went in because she was suffering from a slit cold but in the in the patient wants to know how much does the doctor charge. The doctor tells the patient as usual that she doesn't handle that part of the services. Do you feel as if this is right and shouldnt the doctor be able to give the patient a little more insight or details about how much their services cost.



DISCUSSION BETWEEN DOCTOR AND PATIENT

MRS JAMES: Good morning!
DR.ROSEBAUNM: Good morning! What brings you in today?
MRS JAMES: I have been suffering from a slit cold since yesterday.
DR.ROSEBAUNM: Have you any other concerns or issues today?
MRS. JAMES: A little feverish and sore throat.
DR.ROSEBAUNM: Let me take a look at you……… you have a slit fever but nothing to serious. I am going to prescribe you an antibiotic and something for that sore throat, and you will be all better in a couple of days.
MRS.JAMES: Doctor you are a lifesaver.
DR.ROSEBAUNM: But I do recommend that you get a blood test to rule out some other symptoms.
MRS.JAMES: OK doctor.
DR.ROSEBAUNM: But I do recommend you get some rest and drink plenty of water.
MRS. JAMES: Could you give me an excuse to take back to work today?
DR.ROSEBAUNM: Oh sure!
MRS. JAMES  : Thank you very much. When should I start the medicine and is it really going to take effect immediately.
DR.ROSEBAUNM: This medicine is for one day only. Take this dose as soon as you reach your home and the second at 3 pm and the third at night before sleeping. It will immediately take effect and you will start to feel sleepy.
MRS. JAMES:  Can I eat while taking this medicine?
DR. ROSEBAUNM: You should eat only light food.  And its safe for you to drink milk and eat fresh fruits as well.
MRS. JAMES: How much is my bill today?
DR. ROSEBAUNM: The nurses upfront will discuss that matter with you.
MRS. JAMES: Thanks doctor; if you don’t mine me asking why you can’t tell me how much you charge.
DR.ROSEBAUNM:  That’s not what I handle, sorry; I’m only here to make sure you get well.
MRS. JAMES: Thank you doctor.
 http://guides.wsj.com/health/health-costs/how-to-avoid-surprise-medical-bills/

Monday, November 4, 2013

PHEOBE CARD

SO I WAS TALKING WITH ONE OF MY COWORKERS TODAY ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. SO SHE WAS TELLING ME THAT SHE HAD WENT TO THE HOSPITAL AND JUST RECEIVED  HER BILL AND THE WAS REALLY TAKEN ABACK THAT OUR HEALTH INSURANCE WITH GOT ON THE JOB ONLY PAID 200.00 FROM A 1,000.00 BILL AND HOW AWFUL THAT WAS. SO I ADVISED HER TO GO TO PHOEBE TO GET HER A PHOEBE CARD AND SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY WASN'T GIVING OUT THOSE CARDS ANYMORE DUE TO THE OBAMA CARE. I THINK THAT IS WRONG BECAUSE THERE STILL WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WONT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE OBAMA CARE SO THEREFORE, THE PHOEBE CARD REALLY CAME IN HANDY FOR THEM. I AM  NOT AGAINST THE OBAMA CARE BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP EVERYONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. BUT MY CONCERN IS IT REALLY A GOOD THING BECAUSE CHARITY GROUPS AND THINGS LIKE THE PHOEBE CARD THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE TO HELP ARE ALL NOW BACKING OUT BECAUSE OF THE OBAMA CARE. I THINK A LOT OF THEM ARE BACKING OUT JUST TO MAKE OBAMA RELINQUISH THE OBAMA CARE BUT I HOPE THAT HE DON'T.  I FIND IT SAD THAT IN NO MAY CAN THE POOR EVER COME UP THE SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING IS DESIGNED TO HELP THE RICH. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY THEN YOU ARE JUST ANOTHER STATISTIC OUT HERE. SO IS IT FAIR THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO AWAY WITH THE PHOEBE HEALTH CARD BECAUSE OF THE OBAMA CARE?? AND IS THE OBAMA CARE SET UP TO HELP OR HINDER MOST PEOPLE FROM OTHER TYPE OF SERVICES THAT IS DESIGNED TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE WITH HEALTH CARE?
 http://www.phoebeputney.com/PhoebeContentPage.aspx?nd=1334

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

PRICES DOCTORS CHARGE

I WAS READING AN ARTICLE THAT JUST BLEW ME OFF MY ROCKERS...LOL..IT WAS SAYING HOW ONE HOSPITAL MAY CHARGE A PATIENT 8,000 FOR A PROCEDURE AND OTHER MAY CHARGE 38,000 FOR THE SAME THING. THIS CANT BE TRUE AND I KNOW THIS IS REALLY OUT OF THE NORMAL. SO FROM HERE ON OUT IM DO MY RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE IM NOT BEEN OVER CHARGED DUE TO THE FACT BECAUSE THE DOCTOR CHOOSE TO CHARGE ME THIS PRICE. I WAS READING OTHER CORRELATED ARTICLES AND BLOGS WHERE PEOPLE WAS SAYING BECAUSE THEY WAS THE HOSPITAL THAT SERVICES WAS RENDER IN WAS OUT OF NETWORK THEY HAD TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO PAY A MUCH BIGGER BILL THAN THEY INTENDED BECAUSE THEIR INSURANCE PROVIDER WAS IN THE NETWORK. I FELT THAT WAS SO UNFAIR BECAUSE I ALSO FEEL LIKE ALL PROVIDERS AND HOSPITALS SHOULD BE IN NETWORK OF ALL PROVIDERS. THIS DAY AND TIME JUST TO GET YOUR NAME ON THE APPOINTMENT BOOK AND FOR THEM TO CALL YOU TO THE WINDOW I FEEL LIKE THEY CHARGE ONE A HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE. THEN WHEN YOU GET CALLED BACK THAT'S ANOTHER HUNDRED DOLLARS AND GOD FORBID IF THEY HAVE TO DRAW BLOOD AND TAKE ONES TEMP AND ETC THAT'S AN EXTRA TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. EVEN IF ONE IS JUST GOING IN FOR A ROUTINE CHECK UP AND NOTHING IS REALLY DID THE DAY OF THE VISIT THAT STILL IS A WHOOPING HUNDRED OR BETTER. MANY DOCTORS ARE RACKING UP THE DOUGH RATHER OR NOT THEY HEAL YOU OR NOT. BUT IS THIS FAIR??? I DO BELIEVE DOCTORS SHOULD BE PAID ACCORDINGLY BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY BECAUSE WHAT THEY DO CAN BE A LIFE SAVER. BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE IN THE BUSINESS TO KILL A PERSON POCKETS. I JUST HAD A SMALL PROCEDURE DID LESS THAN A WEEK AGO. I WASN'T EVEN IN THE HOSPITAL A TOTAL OF THREE HOURS AND THE BILL IS 6,000.00 AND I WASN'T WITH THE DOCTOR NO MORE THAN ONE AND HALF HOURS. SO I KNOW I HAD TO PAY A GOOD PERCENTAGE FOR THE NEW BUILDING AND ALL THE FANCY EQUIPMENT BUT I STILL AM TAKEN ABACK THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME 6,000.00 MAYBE 3,000.00 I CAN SEE TO BE FEASIBLE AND HALF OF THAT WOULD GO TO THE DOCTOR. SO REALLY MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE SICK WHICH IS THEN GOING TO LEAD TO A HIGHER DEATH RATE BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE DOCTORS AND THEIR CARE. SO MAKE ME MAD WITH MYSELF BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION IN SCHOOL AND USED MY TIME WISELY IN BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY AND BECAME A DOCTOR. BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS IT LAWFUL FOR DOCTORS TO CHARGE WHAT THEY WANT TO? AND IS THERE A PROCEDURE OR MANDATORY PRICE SHEET OR CODE OUTLINE WE AS THE PATIENT CAN SEE BEFORE WE DECIDE RATHER WE WANT THE DOCTORS HELP OR NOT. WHY THEY DON'T TELL ONE UP FRONT THE PRICE AND COST OF THE OFFICE VISIT AND PROCEDURES BEFORE HAND.
SO I AM BAFFLED AS TO IF DOCTORS CHARGE WHAT THEY WANT TO BECAUSE OF THE INSURANCE SOME PEOPLE HAVE OR THE MEDICAID. THEN IN SOME STATES THEY MAY CHARGE MORE THAN OTHER STATES IS THIS LAWFUL OR NOT? AND SHOULDNT ALL DOCTORS BE ON THE SAME ALIGNMENT FAR AS CHARGING FOR CERTAIN PROCEDURES OR VISITS??
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/08/one-hospital-charges-8000-another-38000/


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

HOSPITAL ARE THEY REALLY SAFE??????

C. difficile contamination of hospital rooms is a leading cause of deadly infections, and human behavior may be at least as important as technological innovation in controlling it. A new study has found that imposing a three-step cleaning procedure — and supervising it carefully — can nearly eliminate the microbe.
Over a 21-month period at a Cleveland hospital, researchers sequentially imposed three cleaning techniques: fluorescent markers whose disappearance after cleaning provided feedback on thoroughness, an ultraviolet radiation device to enhance regular cleaning, and a daily disinfection team requiring assessment and clearance of disinfected rooms by supervisory staff. The study appears in the May issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
Before the staff started using the procedures, 67 percent of rooms produced positive cultures for C. difficile bacteria. Use of fluorescent markers reduced it to 57 percent; the automated ultraviolet radiation cut it to 35 percent; and after imposing the supervised assessment and clearance, only 7 percent of rooms had positive cultures.
“The thing that really helped us to improve our cleaning process was continually being able to culture the rooms to show that our techniques were effective,” said the senior author, Dr. Curtis J. Donskey, chairman of the infection control committee at the hospital, the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “This is not widely available right now, and many hospitals are in the dark about how effective their cleaning processes really are.”
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/15/safer-hospital-rooms/?_r=0
I was reading this article and found it to be really awesome. Because lots of times i ask myself are hospitals really safe. I know they keep them at a certain temp to keep the germs out but is it really raiding the place of germs and varies illness? My husband was in the hospital one time and there was a virus that was only in the hospital so once you came in you had to scrub up really good and put on a mask but, once you left the place you didn't have the viruses. So i was really afraid because even thou they said you was exposed to it away from the place was the virus dominant in your body and could it all of a sudden become exposable again later in life. One have to ponder over a lot of questions because the hospital is suppose to be a haven to get the sick well and help fight off germs and illness. I know for the most part they try to keep them clean and germ free. But is there such a thing as germ free and can you really rid a place of bacteria and germs. If so how  do they make it germs free and rid it of different virus and diseases. I know it can be done and is a way but thru reading and understanding it seem the same way we keep our house free of germs is the same way the hospitals rid there facility of germs. Another noticeable thing i have seen in the hospital is that a lot of time the nurses don't throw away the needles or the utensils they used on the patient. Many time when they take blood they don't make sure it haven't landed on the bed or the floor they just proceed as if everything is clean. If the nurses and doctors would be more aware of what and how they are handling things they could also make the hospital a more safe haven of germs. Some the question is are hospital really a safe place and do they care germs or they really germ free?

Monday, October 28, 2013

obama healthcare

I am for the Obama care due to the fact its design to help everyone be able to afford health care. But I also feel as if a person shouldn't  be penalized or pressure to get health care. Many people even thou its made to be affordable still cant afford to pay for health care and lots of time if its taking directly out a person income and they cant see it then they are more for it. I personally  have health care at my job which really isn't a good health care provider due to the fact that it doesn't cover but hundred dollars of the medical bill. What is a hundred dollars just for them calling your name they charge one that? But I guess anything helps because my sister was just sick the other week with a temp of 106.something and they had said they was going to run a bunch of test and do all kind of heart Xrays but when they came around to get her insurance card and found out she didn't have any coverage. It was really sad and i was taken aback at how fast they put all those didn't text back and didn't have the Xrays test did and the diagnosis they came up with that was wrong with her. So if she would have had a little insurance verse none they would still have did all those tests but still my point is. Even if you have some insurance you still have to pay a co pay and outer pocket cost and still many cant afford to pay that and the price for the health care. Many doctor offices are asking for a copay up front and if you don't have insurance they have a set fee one have to pay the time of the visit. So i guess my question or concern is what is insurance useful for when its not designed to pay the entire bill and still leave one with a big bill. And another question I have was it wrong for the doctors not to give my sister the best health care just because she didn't have health insurance. So do this mean that a lot of our people going to die because they don't have health insurance and cant get the proper care they need. Even with the Obama care will they still be tried the same as someone with another type of insurance from him or her workplace?? So really what is Obama care because a lot of people really don't and aren't educated about what it is.
http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-facts.php
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/28/obamacare-sites-fail-to-rate-insurance-plans/