What mess our health care system is.
A few weeks ago, my 17 year old son was at a local swimming hole with some friends. As expected with teenagers, they were horsing around, some rocks were, thrown and my son ended up at the ER getting a 1 1/2 gash on the back of his head repaired. It took 7 staples, that in short, was the entire treatment. He did not have a concussion, so no xrays taken, his tetanus was current, so no shots given, they didn't even shave the hair around the wound, so no charge for a razor. They just stapled the wound closed and sent him on his way. He healed up and is no worse for wear.
So now I get the bill.
The bill from the hospital (the only one in town) is for $367 and that seemed reasonable for an ER call for suturing a small gash. And since I am on the high deductible insurance plan through my employer and we have not met our out-of-pocket expense, I have to pay the bill. Great no problem, luckily both my spouse and I have good jobs.
Yesterday I get another bill, for $477 from the group that the ER doctors work for. I call to verify that is correct and not some mix-up or double billing. Nope, the hospital has a separate charge from the doctor. So now the total is $877 for this medical episode.
So, I started checking on other medical expenses that my family has incurred this year:
- Sports Physical for son #1 at the doc-n-box clinic ran by the hospital: $15 (they were running a Fall special)
- Yearly Ob/Gyn check, included pap smear (lab work) and mammogram (includes radiologist reading): approx $400
- Sports Physical for son #2 at pediatricians office: approx $150
- Visit to doc-n-box for pink eye: $95
So does the ER charge seem way out of line? Had this incident happen during the day and my son had been treated at the doctor's office or other clinic, I am guessing the cost would have been $100-$200. My spouse suggested that the ER bill is that high to cover uninsured patients. Some people opposing health care reform claim the ER is viable option for the uninsured. This seems to be a crazy-expensive way to treat health issues and does nothing to help with preventative care.
Our system is certainly messed up. As I said earlier in this post, I am very fortunate to have the means to pay this bill, but I know many that could not afford this. The cost of insurance is too expensive, my employer pays about $700/mo for my high-deductible plan, if I where to lose my job, COBRA would be $800/mo for this plan, then when COBRA ran out, I probably couldn't afford the insurance premiums for a private plan due to a preexisting condition. albeit a minor and in control condition.
We need reform with a single payer system, but right now I will settle for a public option, but nothing less!