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Of course, many factors contribute to the high cost of Health
Care. But probably a big contributing factor is insurance. I’m not necessarily referring to insurance abuse
or even the cost of the premiums, but just its availability.
Premiums have risen high enough that I finally had
to drop what we had, Cigna. But prior to that time, my wife had some numbness in her legs. We went to one doctor
recommended by Cigna who suggested that he felt she should have back surgery. Seeking a 2nd opinion, we went to a second
surgeon (again recommended by Cigna) who couldn’t see us until after we were no longer covered by our Cigna insurance,
though we had made the appointment not knowing that would be the case.
We were at the doctor’s office with
X-rays and MRIs of her spine, at the scheduled time. Of course we waited some 45 minutes until the doctor came into
the office. And he said he looked at the films just before he came in. They were directly outside the room we
were in. Perhaps 5 minutes was spent suggesting that HE, too, felt that she should have an Operation. (And 2 other
doctors suggested holding off until and if the pain should ever become unbearable.)
After I questioned him of the
possible consequences of such an operation, we left. Likely total time of his presence – 10 minutes. Work
performed – opinion.
Almost 2 months later I received a phone call from his Office asking who our present
insurance carrier was. After informing her that we no longer had insurance, she informed me that we were now responsible
for the cost of the visit as Cigna suggested we were no longer covered 3 weeks before the visit. Our insurance had been
terminated. We now owed the Doctor $500 for that 5 or 10-minute office visit and his opinion. After some negotiating
with his billing office it was reduced to a mere $300 – the same that Cigna would have paid him – for that 5 minute
opinion at his office.
Certainly other factors contribute to the high cost of Health Care; but in my opinion,
this, too, is a contributing factor. I’m bothered, perhaps, because I think of how long and hard so many people
have to work to earn either that same $300 or $500. Or perhaps it’s really how oblivious we are to such billing
– as long as someone ELSE (the insurance) is paying the bill! I know I would never have sought out a second opinion
– at least from him – if I knew that just that opinion would be costing me $500!
6-5-08
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Did you know that just hitting the keystroke
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