[Dueller]

Wife has had a nagging problem with a hernia. It has finally gotten to the point that surgery is immediately necessary. Our health insurance won't cover since it was pre-existing.

It will be handled on an out patient basis with orthoscopic techniques. He will make a small incision and go in to put a mesh screen in the affected area. Five days of home rest; One week of no lifting; six weeks of nothing over 10#'s. We visted the surgeon today to make arrangements.

Surgeon initial office visit/charge $150.00
Surgeon's fee $1150.00 (discounted since we paid cash up front)

Perfectly reasonable and we are appreciative for his discount.

BUT:

Anesthesiologist/nurse anesthesist $1250.00 hmmmm.....a little pricey and absolutely no discount for cash payment. Looked at us as if we had three heads. They even called the bank to verify funds as they disdainfully took our check. WTF???? Surgery is scheduled 10 days out.

Getting a little pi$$ed.

Hospital/Operating/Recovery room: $6,000.0....WTF???
Of course they will discount it by $600 if we pay today. She has to report at 7:00 a.m and will be released to go home around 2 p.m. So 7 hours....or $800/hour. Plus there may be additional miscellaneous charges for which they will bill us later. SHEEEESH.

SOOOOOO....right at $8,000 for a surgical procedure that will take 10-20 mins.

Of course I asked the hospital what they would accept as assignment payments from an insutrancec ompany if we had coverage....about $1400.

I have absolutely NO problem with the surgeoons bil...more than reasonablel. The anest/NA is on the high side. But gimme a frigging break on the hospital crap.


Rant over.