Well, I went to the Dr.....

[Blk Mamba]

...a week ago, and he sent me to another Dr. for a stress test for my heart. I went there today, to make arrangements, and to confirm the cost. The receptionist, informed me that they couldn't tell me how much this visit would cost, and they would bill me later. I said NO, I don't buy any service, I don't know the cost of, (I paid $4500 for a kidney stone I didn't pass) the receptionist went and got, what I assume was a Dr., and he told me the same thing. I, ask you, do you accept any service that you don't know the cost of beforehand?

[musclemerc]

So did you refuse the service?

[LeoVampire]

I never know what it costs until I see a report in the mail long after it is done and over with.

But it goes through the coverage first before I see the left over results I have to pay if any and what the total bill was in the first place.

Only @ the dentist where it comes out of pocket only do I want to know the bill total first.

[Blk Mamba]

A week before I went in I called my insurance provider to get an idea of how much out of pocket cost this was, after 20 min. on the phone listening to their double talk, I thanked them and hung up. Yes I did refuse the service.

[LeoVampire]

A week before I went in I called my insurance provider to get an idea of how much out of pocket cost this was, after 20 min. on the phone listening to their double talk, I thanked them and hung up. Yes I did refuse the service.

The one with the die and full cardiac work up with the images taken afterwords?

Or the one with the chemical induced stress test with the images taken?

The second option is cheaper BTW

[LIGHTNIN1]

According to which insurance company it is. If you would like to share the insurers name someone on here might have an idea.If you don't I sure don't blame you. Just a thought as some of us have been through the same thing.My company would pay everything but the co-pay I think.

[JimP]

Sorry to hear that. I ***** about paying taxes here in Canada but our health care is good. Go to the Dr. show them your card, get your tests done and that's it. If you have a benefits package through your employer then even most if not all of your prescriptions are covered.

A month ago my brother in law had to have surgery for kidney stones, our health care covered it.

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. TO answer your question, I wouldn't have agreed to anything wither unless I knew what it would cost either.

[Blk Mamba]

It is a nuclear stress test.

The insurance my employer carries, says that I am responsible for the first $2000, and then 20% of the next $10,000, as you pay the premium, ($1500 a year) some is put into an account that helps pay part of the first $2000, I have no co-pay.

[LeoVampire]

It is a nuclear stress test.

The insurance my employer carries, says that I am responsible for the first $2000, and then 20% of the next $10,000, as you pay the premium, ($1500 a year) some is put into an account that helps pay part of the first $2000, I have no co-pay.

The $2,000.00 spend down and so forth is it per year?

[Blk Mamba]

Yes, I believe so, but the account rolls over each year.
When this insurance was explained to me the agent said that this insurance was very good for routine visits, (yearly physicals, Etc.), and preventative care, but the worst for anything else.

[LeoVampire]

Yes, I believe so, but the account rolls over each year.
When this insurance was explained to me the agent said that this insurance was very good for routine visits, (yearly physicals, Etc.), and preventative care, but the worst for anything else.

For a heart paciant the stress test is a preventative care measure.

[Blk Mamba]

I'm not trying to be rude, Leo, but how do you know this,. do you work in the industry, and why did neither the insurer, nor the Dr. want to disclose this info to me?


BTW, I went to a Restaurant once that had no prices on the menu, I got up and left. The only service you pay for before you receive the service is cable TV, (at least in my case).

[LeoVampire]

I'm not trying to be rude, Leo, but how do you know this,. do you work in the industry, and why did neither the insurer, nor the Dr. want to disclose this info to me?


BTW, I went to a Restaurant once that had no prices on the menu, I got up and left. The only service you pay for before you receive the service is cable TV, (at least in my case).

10 MI's and 2 micro stroke's, 1 Emergancy Mamory by pass, stents and an ICD pacemaker, and 2 DVT's in my right leg and 1 in my left with a filter to keep blood clots from intering my lungs. Oh forgot the 4 cardiac arrests and 1 was on the cath lab table while they were doing a stent.

[Blk Mamba]

It says you are 45 yrs old, is that right, I'll be 60 next year, and I think this is early for me, I eat right, and try to take care of myself.

[musclemerc]

A week before I went in I called my insurance provider to get an idea of how much out of pocket cost this was, after 20 min. on the phone listening to their double talk, I thanked them and hung up. Yes I did refuse the service.

Well your hatred for the establishment will definately get you somewhere..
VERY DEAD!!! We will remember to champion your efforts at your recession services!

[Blk Mamba]

^^^^ Lick me, I only asked my provider for the service I pay for, they are the ones that refused to give me a straight answer.

Btw I have a lawnmower for sale.

[LeoVampire]

It says you are 45 yrs old, is that right, I'll be 60 next year, and I think this is early for me, I eat right, and try to take care of myself.

I weighed in @ 170lbs. and had a 29"w with 5% body fat and my colestoral was @ 130 total.

I woke up @ 3 a.m. with the worse case of heart burn ever. Took some tums and tryed to go back to sleep. It got worse so I took some baking soda and water to see if that would help.

Eventualy the pain spread down my arm and got so bad I started to tear up. Called a neighbor and asked them to come over and help me get dressed so I can go to the hospital because my arm and hand did not want to work right.

He called an ambulance but we were in the middle of an ice storm and they said an hour at least. My neighbor brought me to the hospital instead not wanting to wait.

I sat in the emergency room for about a half hour until she went up to the desk demanding they take a look at me by that time I was balling like a baby it hurt so bad.

She came out with a wheel chair and took me in back before they got me on the table I went into arrest.

That was the first one. One of the artery's that supply my heart with blood had colapsed and formed a blood clot behind it and totaly acluded the artery.

[Phrog_gunner]

Well your hatred for the establishment will definately get you somewhere..
VERY DEAD!!! We will remember to champion your efforts at your recession services!

At least he's not trying to put his financial burden on someone else. That's very respectable.

[Blk Mamba]

I'm in a much better position than you, and thankful for it, my complaint isn't so much my health, but the level of service I'm getting, apparently some are confused about this. I read his rant, wishing me dead, because I won't consent to service without knowing what the cost.

[LIGHTNIN1]

I'm not trying to be rude, Leo, but how do you know this,. do you work in the industry, and why did neither the insurer, nor the Dr. want to disclose this info to me?


BTW, I went to a Restaurant once that had no prices on the menu, I got up and left. The only service you pay for before you receive the service is cable TV, (at least in my case).

LOL! about leaving the restaurant. I have done the same thing. They should be able to tell you this info. As Kinky Friedman says,"How hard could it be?" They know how much this stuff cost. :snoopy:

[a_d_a_m]

I'll be 60 next year, and I think this is early for me, I eat right, and try to take care of myself. My dad had triple bypass at 50, and you know from talking to him that he is an active guy who eats right and stuff like that.

What I'm trying to say is that no age is too early to be concerned and try to get things in order.

That's why I started talking to the doctor EARLY about cholesterol, BP, etc. Luckily, I inherited my circulatory traits from my mom's side who can weight 500 pounds and still have great cholesterol and BP numbers.



Someone once told me that drag racing is good for your heart. Luckily, there is a treatment tomorrow at Thompson Raceway Park that has a $12 co-pay. Cheap and effective!:lol: You don't even have to participate. Being there is good enough for the heart. If you run the car, I bet you'll feel 40-50 years younger!

[LeoVampire]

I'm in a much better position than you, and thankful for it, my complaint isn't so much my health, but the level of service I'm getting, apparently some are confused about this. I read his rant, wishing me dead, because I won't consent to service without knowing what the cost.

I would ask how much I have to come up with as well! So I can understand where you are comming from.

[Blk Mamba]

The adrenalin rush is what starts my problem, so I don't think this is proper treatment.

[a_d_a_m]

Ah, I tried, but I would feel bad if you started having heart problems on account of I made you come to the dragstrip.


Don't know what you guys got going on, but I might cruise tomorrow night and grab a coffee or fountain pop at Perry Sheetz.

[LeoVampire]

The adrenalin rush is what starts my problem, so I don't think this is proper treatment.

When I sleep they start to spasm open and closed and because, for reasons still unknown, I form blood clots easily when there is a restiction some where they end up blocking off the spasming artery so it stays shut once there is no blood pressure to push it open again.

We found out the more stressed out I am the worse the situation gets and that is why they made me stop working in the first place.

But now that there is so much damge to the heart muscle it happens a bit more often than just nightfall when I am sleeping.

Now I have a problem with extra and missed heart beats and they do not like it working too hard so they asked if I would let them install an ICD pacemaker to help control it and protect me if I got into arest again.

Sucks because I feel like I can do more but they pacemaker stops the heart from suplying my body with the demands I put on it so I get tired fast and sweat like a pig due to the lack of oxygen in my blood.

[LeoVampire]

My dad had triple bypass at 50, and you know from talking to him that he is an active guy who eats right and stuff like that.

What I'm trying to say is that no age is too early to be concerned and try to get things in order.

That's why I started talking to the doctor EARLY about cholesterol, BP, etc. Luckily, I inherited my circulatory traits from my mom's side who can weight 500 pounds and still have great cholesterol and BP numbers.



Someone once told me that drag racing is good for your heart. Luckily, there is a treatment tomorrow at Thompson Raceway Park that has a $12 co-pay. Cheap and effective!:lol: You don't even have to participate. Being there is good enough for the heart. If you run the car, I bet you'll feel 40-50 years younger!

It's true you never know when how or where it ill happen.

But I am glad your Dad is doing better!

[TCBO1]

[quote=adam/cleveland;890305]

What I'm trying to say is that no age is too early to be concerned and try to get things in order.

/quote]

I second that! My fiance had a heart attack, no warning at all, at age 40... I mean 40?? Really? Had 3 blocked arteries, no less than 85% on each one, required 4 stents. He spent just about 7 days in the hospital. When all was said and done, we racked up about 70K in hospital bills. He has Blue Cross/Blue Shield. We ended up owing a total of $644.00
It sucks that you have to come up with thay kind of money but, I would think someone would be able to tell you something about the cost. The insurance company would be the one to talk to as they are the ones that cut the deals of price with the doctors, at least around here.

[Local Boy]

Hey Trash...

Judging by this thread...

I'd say you are Stressed...

Test results is afirmative...

Take Care, Brutha...

Aloha

[FordNut]

Transparency in pricing is one thing that could help in healthcare reform. Not only could you find out how much a procedure is going to cost you after insurance pays their part, but you could find out the total price and possibly find a less expensive doctor. That would go a long way to rein in medical expenses.

[Blk Mamba]

^^^^^ I see you understand my problem.

[MERCMAN]

Before discounts to the insurance company, the charge here is 6K. I perform these tests every day.

[Blk Mamba]

There is no way in hell I can afford anywhere near that, dying is only $5000.

[Vortex]

All this is just one part of our messed up healthcare delivery system. As it presently exisits, it is such a jumble of ever increasing copays, deductables, lawsuits, primary and secondary policies, preapprovals, declination of coverage, preexisiting illnesses; the list of headaches is darn near endless. You cant get a straight answer from anybody in the doctors office and I get the impression nowdays a visit to the doctors is like going to the store of the Kirby Vacume salesman working on commission where they are always trying to sell you on something (new tests, treatments, MRIs, Catscans, visits to other specialists, ect...) You cant convince me the system of our northern neighbors is worse.

[FordNut]

You cant convince me the system of our northern neighbors is worse.

I'm convinced.

[boatmangc]

[QUOTE You cant convince me the system of our northern neighbors is worse.[/QUOTE]

Yeah but I am SURE it is no better, one of my Snowbird neighbors from Toronto had to wait 8 months to begin treatment after being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.
She went out of country (India) and paid cash rather than wait to fit into their "system"

[FordNut]

An anecdotal piece of evidence....
Canada has free health care, so you would think there would be a mass exodus of Americans crossing the border for health care.
America has for profit health care.
Very seldom do we hear of Americans going to Canada for health care but it's very common for Canadians to come to America for health care.
Ask yourselves which is "better"?

[LIGHTNIN1]

Heads of other countries including Saudi Arabia come to this country for healthcare. Now I guess they will be going to India and I heard Thailand was a good place for some things.

[de minimus]

An anecdotal piece of evidence....
Canada has free health care, so you would think there would be a mass exodus of Americans crossing the border for health care.
America has for profit health care.
Very seldom do we hear of Americans going to Canada for health care but it's very common for Canadians to come to America for health care.
Ask yourselves which is "better"?

Well, if you were to cross the border it wouldn't be free for you, unless you're a Canadian citizen so that would explain why there isn't an exodus. Recently our provincial minister of health floated the idea of negoatiating with some US insurers over health care services for Americans here in Vancouver. The insurers liked the idea because it's apparently cheaper to do certain procedures here and as the drug companies are highly regulated drugs are cheaper here.

Our system isn't perfect but the vast majority of Canadians wouldn't give it up - universal health care is considered a fundamental right.

I just spent the last month and a half in hospital and wil be spending the next 3 months as an outpatient. In January I was feeling a bit ill and went to the emerg of my local hospital. Within 5 minutes of getting there I was seen by a triage nurse and 5 minutes after that I was admitted. I saw the specialist about 1/2 hour after that and treatment began immediately. The treatment decisions were mine and my doctors - no insurance adjuster. No worries about how much my illness was going to cost me.
Despite all these stories about people having to wait with serious, life threatening medical conditions that has not been my personal experience, nor that of my friends or family. My dad did have to wait 4 months for a knee replacement. He could've gone down to Seattle and got it done sooner if he didn't want to wait but then it would have cost him $.

[FordNut]

Well, if you were to cross the border it wouldn't be free for you, unless you're a Canadian citizen so that would explain why there isn't an exodus. Recently our provincial minister of health floated the idea of negoatiating with some US insurers over health care services for Americans here in Vancouver. The insurers liked the idea because it's apparently cheaper to do certain procedures here and as the drug companies are highly regulated drugs are cheaper here.

Our system isn't perfect but the vast majority of Canadians wouldn't give it up - universal health care is considered a fundamental right.

I just spent the last month and a half in hospital and wil be spending the next 3 months as an outpatient. In January I was feeling a bit ill and went to the emerg of my local hospital. Within 5 minutes of getting there I was seen by a triage nurse and 5 minutes after that I was admitted. I saw the specialist about 1/2 hour after that and treatment began immediately. The treatment decisions were mine and my doctors - no insurance adjuster. No worries about how much my illness was going to cost me.
Despite all these stories about people having to wait with serious, life threatening medical conditions that has not been my personal experience, nor that of my friends or family. My dad did have to wait 4 months for a knee replacement. He could've gone down to Seattle and got it done sooner if he didn't want to wait but then it would have cost him $.

So if I were visiting Canada on business (or pleasure) and I had to have medical treatment (maybe an accident or even a sudden illness) what would happen? Would I get treated promptly? Would I get a bill afterward?

[LeoVampire]

So if I were visiting Canada on business (or pleasure) and I had to have medical treatment (maybe an accident or even a sudden illness) what would happen? Would I get treated promptly? Would I get a bill afterward?

So they might try and bill your insurance company first.
But as to the rest you would have to call and see what their policy is towards something like that where ever your going to visit.

When I went to Niagra Falls on the Canadian side while I was still working I called my insurance company before hand to see if they would handle any problems and they told me yes.

[Black_Out]

I'm only 20 but I'm trying to start early, I take omega3 fish oil and multi vitamins everyday. I get alot of exercise but eat like a pig, so it kind of evens out. I'm 5'11'' 180lbs. Hearing stuff like this scares me.

Don't wait to get that stress test, trash, your health is the most important thing.

[FordNut]

So they might try and bill your insurance company first.
But as to the rest you would have to call and see what their policy is towards something like that where ever your going to visit.

When I went to Niagra Falls on the Canadian side while I was still working I called my insurance company before hand to see if they would handle any problems and they told me yes.

So if I don't have insurance what happens?

[LeoVampire]

So if I don't have insurance what happens?

I did not want to take the chance of not knowing ahead of time.

If I wasn't coverd I would have called Niagra Falls to get the low down on what to expect. With my health problems I do not like to take chances of NOT knowing.

Just like I checked out Carlisle to see if there are any good hospitals for heart problems around to make sure I am coverd. They said I would be brought to Harrisburg after stablized @ a local hospital 9 times out of 10.

[Bluerauder]

...a week ago, and he sent me to another Dr. for a stress test for my heart. I went there today, to make arrangements, and to confirm the cost. The receptionist, informed me that they couldn't tell me how much this visit would cost, and they would bill me later. I said NO, I don't buy any service, I don't know the cost of, (I paid $4500 for a kidney stone I didn't pass) the receptionist went and got, what I assume was a Dr., and he told me the same thing. I, ask you, do you accept any service that you don't know the cost of beforehand?

Here's another perspective ......

Understand your concern about knowing the cost ahead of time. Unfortunately, not every stress test will be the same. It really depends on your condition and how much they have to do to stress your heart and make a diagnosis. There is probably a "range" of high to low that they could provide. However, if your cost came in on the high side, it might create a dispute situation.

Obviously, your doctor thought that there was a need to do the test. Something is giving him an indication that not all is well with your system. Maybe it was just a precautionary test. But it could be more .....

I had a similar event back in early January of this year. Things just didn't seem right. My doctor checked me out and sent me to get the stress test. I didn't ask about cost since it was gonna be covered under insurance anyway.

To make a long story short, my stress test was a VERY short one. I lasted only about 2 minutes on the treadmill and the nurse technician said that she HAD SEEN ENOUGH. She then called for the Cardiologist who confirmed the problem. They called for an ambulance and made arrangements for a room at the cardiac ICU at a major hospital in Virginia. About 4 hours later, I was in the catherization lab getting a stent in the RCA that was at a 99% blockage. I was released the next day after a checkout by my doctor.

Total bill was $28,500 not counting the $590 ride in the ambulance. My out of pocket cost was $30 for the visit co-pay.

Was it worth it?? My doctor said that the reason that they got me into the lab that quickly is that I might not have made it until Monday. He indicated that I was within days if not hours of a major heart issue.

Get the test and worry about the cost later .... without it .... there might not be any later at all.

JMHO for an up close and personal view of the heart situation.

[musclemerc]

Here's another perspective ......

Understand your concern about knowing the cost ahead of time. Unfortunately, not every stress test will be the same. It really depends on your condition and how much they have to do to stress your heart and make a diagnosis. There is probably a "range" of high to low that they could provide. However, if your cost came in on the high side, it might create a dispute situation.

Obviously, your doctor thought that there was a need to do the test. Something is giving him an indication that not all is well with your system. Maybe it was just a precautionary test. But it could be more .....

I had a similar event back on 7 January of this year. Things just didn't seem right. My doctor checked me out and sent me to get the stress test. I didn't ask about cost since it was gonna be covered under insurance anyway.

To make a long story short, my stress test was a VERY short one. I lasted only about 2 minutes on the treadmill and the nurse technician said that she HAD SEEN ENOUGH. She then called for the Cardiologist who confirmed the problem. They called for an ambulance and made arrangements for a room at the cardiac ICU at Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. About 4 hours later, I was in the catherization lab getting a stent in the RCA that was at a 99% blockage. I was released the next day after a checkout by my doctor.

Total bill was $28,500 not counting the $590 ride in the ambulance. My out of pocket cost was $30 for the visit co-pay.

Was it worth it?? My doctor said that the reason that they got me into the lab that quickly is that I might not have made it until Monday. He indicated that I was within days if not hours of a major heart issue.

Get the test and worry about the cost later .... without it .... there might not be any later at all.

JMHO for an up close and personal view of the heart situation.

I think you hit it on the head! My wife has been an ER & Critical Care RN for a long time now at the VA. The tests vary on a lot of things, the treadmill method listed above, a test that let's a machine stress the heart for you, will they have to send a probe through a cathater through an artery to get to the heart to inject the dye?, what if the paitent code's on the table at the time of the test (which is not uncommon). So I guess having a good healthcare provider will be better in any situation than not. I am very lucky to have a good Government Plan that allows me to go directly to a specialist if needed without cost being an issue. The healthcare debate will continue to rage on in the country but chances are if you've already have excellent coverage you won't be affected by any of this.

[FordNut]

The healthcare debate will continue to rage on in the country but chances are if you've already have excellent coverage you won't be affected by any of this.

It is going to get a lot more expensive.
And IF as many new people who will have coverage start going to the doctor's office we'll have to wait a lot longer.

[de minimus]

So if I were visiting Canada on business (or pleasure) and I had to have medical treatment (maybe an accident or even a sudden illness) what would happen? Would I get treated promptly? Would I get a bill afterward?

You wouldn't get turned away. Regarding the billing, I asked my dad who was a doctor till he retired. Since doctors have to do their own billing (to the Ministry of Health) they obviously wouldn't pay for you. The doctors that treated you would send you bills and if they went unpaid they would then presumably sic a collection agency on you.

Looking at your post above, you're quite right about the expense. That's the biggest challenge with any health care system is keeping the costs under control, when new technologies, drugs, and with procedures getting more and more expensive. In Canada, the costs are paid, obviously by taxes and health care is quickly becoming the biggest single expenditure that governments/ taxpayers face. And that is without a lot of middleman insurance companies in the way who have expectations for profit for their shareholders. We also don't have as litigious society as the USA which also forces up costs. You'd all save buckets of money if you banned plaintiff's lawyers from litigating in front of juries and also capped certain heads of damages, but I digress.