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Article Source: Political AnimalLast year, about 80,000 emergency-room patients at hospitals owned by HCA, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain, left without treatment after being told they would have to first pay $150 because they did not have a true emergency.
In December, Skaggs Regional Medical Center in Branson, Mo., began asking ER patients to pay $40 or their insurance co-payment before receiving a prescription.
“If they don’t pay … they won’t be given their prescription
I suspect that most people that had $150.00 to pay up front wouldn't be relying on the ER for non emergent health care as you can wait hours to be see in some ERs
#1 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:45 PM ESTAgain, The richest country in the world can't afford a public option?
Funny.
Canada just north can afford.
Germany can afford it.
Japan can afford it, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_system_in_Japan
Explain why the richest of the rich can not?
Rescue, I have said over and over right here on the NV that just because you went to the ER and that they were federally mandated to treat you, if they accept federal monies, DID NOT MEAN THAT THEY WOULDN'T CHARGE YOU. People scoffed and said "well they still have to treat you." Well once their assessment is done and if it is not a true life threatening situation such as heart attack, trouble breathing, or bleeding excessively you will have to sign papers and pay. This is all before the ACA takes effect also. This is what the "wonderful" private healthcare insurances and facilities are doing prior to ACA taking effect. But this is what many wanted and continue to want. I say let them have it and eat cake!
#2 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:17 PM ESTLynn,
I knew they had to charge, even when there was no ability to pay...thus they would get a bill, that they wouldn't be able to pay. However requiring cash up front for a sick child, is onerous. Of course if they can't afford the visit, they can wait until the child has a temp of 105, has developed double pneumonia, and then can not only be seen, but might even have to be admitted for O2, I,V, meds, and pulmonary therapy.
Most E.R.s give prescriptions, but not the medication. If the medication isn't affordable they do without. I was attacked by a dog. Bit me fairly severely on my inner thigh, and I was wearing burmudas, was taken to an ER, for cleaning, stitching, etc. and was given a prescription. It was for a common antibiotic 250 mg, tid. Costco was closed so I had to go to a 24 hour Savon pharmacy. 5 days worth of meds $75.00. It clearly wasn't enough. I developed cellulitus (on a weekend of course) talked to my MD he wanted to admit me for IV antibiotics, but because I had no one to watch my dog, I talked him into delaying until Monday if he would increase the antibiotics, and I would elevate the leg, and call him if it got worse. He increased it to 500 mg qid, for 7 days. Costco $7.50....exactly the same medication, higher dose, more pills. Most of the poor don't belong to Costco so they get screwed at both ends of the spectrum. I know you know all this already.
#3 - Tue Feb 21, 2012 10:12 PM ESTRescueDogs, I know that you speaking the truth, as I am a retired RN with over 40 yrs. of experience and the last being a case manager in a large hospital. One of the things people don't know they can do, is when you went to Savon, ask that you get only enough pills to last you until the am or whenever Costco re-opened again. People who want to keep this thieving system are really ignorant to how it works, until they have something happen and then have to access it and then they are all up in arms about. I worked for Humana in Louisville for about 3 yrs. also as a Case Manager and one of the things that I found then was your employer purchases their insurance and they are the ones that determine what your benefit will be. They meet yearly to decide so it is up to the employees of any company to speak with their HR dept and encourage them to get such and such benefits. It is a game and the more you become educated to what is actually in your policy and benefit, the better off you are. But it is really a sad scenario in America today, when the majority of bankruptcies in this country are due to medical bills. Doesn't that tell people something?
They meet yearly to decide so it is up to the employees of any company to speak with their HR dept and encourage them to get such and such benefits.
Unfortunately, talking to the HR department about benefits and coverage in the places I've worked is about as useful as making request notes into paper airplanes and sailing them out the window.
Severed Head, Unfortunately that is too true is most corporations today. I am fortunate in that I am now retired after 40 yrs. in the rat race and was lucky to get off the chain gang!
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