..........and thank God for Medicare!
I finally got my bill for my back surgery today. The total claimed by Virginia Mason Hospital was $57,294.28!
I am insured through Group Health Advantage plan and Medicare. Group Health is a non-profit medical co-op that has provided us excellent care for many years. When we went on to Medicare, they handled everything in a perfectly smooth transition.
Group Health used to have a central hospital, but in recent years has contracted out hospital care and surgery, while still using GH doctors and surgeons. They paid Virginia Mason about half of the original claimed cost.
My bill was $400, the co-pay for two nights in the hospital.
That's all.
Yikes. And there are those who think this country does not need affordable health care.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to see how much of David's knee surgery will be covered by Medicare and Akamai Advantage.
ReplyDeleteYes it is
ReplyDeleteMercy, glad your healing well, and your coverage is good.
ReplyDeleteI agree "thank god for Medicare". People complain about the cost of insurance... and may have a legitimate beef... BUT I can't imagine having no insurance. Things may need to be tweaked, but everyone needs access to insurance.
ReplyDeleteThey can really rack up the money. You're right it's a good thing for insurance.
ReplyDeleteWe had Group Health for years and years and never even had a doctor's appointment. Then Ron broke his back when we were in GA and Group Health said we had to come home for surgery or go to Atlanta (300 miles) and refused to pay when it was impossible to transport Ron. We dumped them and went insuranceless for 5 years until we were eligible for Medicare. I agree "Thank God for Medicare" - a single payer system is what's needed for everyone in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWow, Rosemany, that's not good. I think GH has a much better system for covering out of area treatment now.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, single payer is the way to go. And I found out recently that we can do that state by state under the ACA.
Well that turned out well!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhew! I thought hearing aids were expensive!I don't look forward to have to find supplemental insurance once I reach medicare age. What a blessing that it covered so much of your costs.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much hospitals charge...without insurance we'd all be broke!
ReplyDeleteI agree that once we are on Medicare and an supplemental system that we can actually afford to get sick. Your back surgery was expensive, but definitely worth it. You are almost all the way back, and better than before. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was a two gasp post. First gasp over the charge and second over the small part that was yours. Now that is doable.
ReplyDeleteThat's one expensive hotel! That bill is shocking! Glad you didn't have to pay it all!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW! What a bill! Just caught up with reading your posts. You two have the most beautiful beautiful gardens(yard)ever! Even the Dandelions are pretty!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, wow, that's a shocker. I hope you are recovering well. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
Amen!! GH sounds pretty good. Of course Medicare has been pretty wonderful too. MB
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