Where in the World is Bob Saget?

[englanddg]

Yeah, but how much will a heart attack cost you?

Or giving birth?
(Is a wastepaper basket a baby trash can?)

Or elective (non-cosmetic) surgery?

Our system isn't perfect, and Lord knows it's not "free", but it's what we've got, and generally it works very well.
My father's end of life care couldn't have been any better, even if he'd been a multi-millionaire.

Our healthcare system is far more complex than what those who have not worked in it understand. Even most Americans.

First, life saving treatment was never "denied" to people due to financial reasons. Elective surgery is a different story, as are long term treatment programs. But, no one has ever been turned away from live saving treatment at a hospital...ever.

What is shocking is...the bill that comes later.

As a personal example, my daughter and her mother were on the way to church one morning, and got t-boned by someone running a redlight. The kiddo chipped her tooth, but was otherwise ok. My ex was also fine. However, they insisted she get in the ambulance and they transported her a 3/4 of a mile to the local hospital. EMS bill? 2.5k.

That being said, none of the "changes" that have been made, have done anything to make healthcare more available or affordable, rather, they just mean we all have insurance to pay for it...well, those who comply with the individual mandate...and our healthcare choices are now limited from largely self-insuring to distributing risk.

This is why they are pushing so hard for young enrollees. If this does not happen, and by and large they choose to not enroll, you'll see the reinsurance market freeze, and the true cost center (the medical providers) will freeze up.

The costs are out of control, not the payer.

 

[acishere]

I got braces in 7th or 8th grade and got them off my sophomore year of HS. My brother had them in middle school, got them off his freshman year (?) of HS and then needed to get them again because he didn't wear his retainer. My parents weren't too happy about that. I don't mind wear my retainer while I sleep (I was supposed to wear it 24/7 for the first year after I got the braces off, but my orthodontist told me they looked good and I was only wearing it at night! ). Now I wear it about every other night, and I have a permanent retainer glued to my front 5 or 6 teeth on the bottom. Makes brushing, etc a bit annoying, but it keeps my teeth straight!

I still have the permanent retainer in my mouth. I have not been to the orthodontist since junior year of high school. I would like mine off someday so I can finally stop feeling that line of glue with my tongue... I should probably go back one day and find out about that.

 

[englanddg]

I still have the permanent retainer in my mouth. I have not been to the orthodontist since junior year of high school. I would like mine off someday so I can finally stop feeling that line of glue with my tongue... I should probably go back one day and find out about that.

Yes, you should. That retainer wire isn't supposed to stay in forever.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

As a personal example, my daughter and her mother were on the way to church one morning, and got t-boned by someone running a redlight. The kiddo chipped her tooth, but was otherwise ok. My ex was also fine. However, they insisted she get in the ambulance and they transported her a 3/4 of a mile to the local hospital. EMS bill? 2.5k.

That's just ridiculous. Yes they needed to be checked out, but they could have gone to Urgent care later that day or the next day. Especially since whiplash and sprains aren't always apparent right after an accident

 

[englanddg]

That's just ridiculous. Yes they needed to be checked out, but they could have gone to Urgent care later that day or the next day. Especially since whiplash and sprains aren't always apparent right after an accident

No, the police / EMTs made them go...even though both were lucid and checked out.

Insurance (USAA) paid for it all, but that's not the point...the point is...how much it cost to take NON-life threatened people 3/4 of a mile in a fancy truck with sirens.

I would get it had the EMTs had to perform some miracles on the way, heck, I would understand paying even more...

But...yeesh!

 

[englanddg]

The worst longstanding injury of that day was the kid's chipped front baby tooth, which her dentist (that insurance DIDN'T cover), told us that since it was a baby tooth, we should just keep an eye on it and make sure she didn't complain about it, etc...otherwise, just wait until it fell out.

As a 4 - 6 year old (until she lost it) she called it her "sharp tooth"...

 

[StarWarsGirl]

No, the police / EMTs made them go...even though both were lucid and checked out.

Insurance (USAA) paid for it all, but that's not the point...the point is...how much it cost to take NON-life threatened people 3/4 of a mile in a fancy truck with sirens.

I would get it had the EMTs had to perform some miracles on the way, heck, I would understand paying even more...

But...yeesh!

I know, I should have made it clearer that it was ridiculous that they were forced to go. Urgent care would have been fine. Glad USAA paid it all off.

 

[englanddg]

I know, I should have made it clearer that it was ridiculous that they were forced to go. Urgent care would have been fine. Glad USAA paid it all off.

The total settlement for "health expenses" (which included the EMT trip and "follow up visits") was over 40k.

For an accident that chipped my daughter's tooth, bloodied her lip (she still has a small scar there) and bloodied her mother's nose...

Property damage was around 7k.

So, the insurance company (USAA in this case, since we were both covered by the same carrier), paid out 47k, for what seemed awful, but in reality was a rather minor accident.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have paid (neither did they, they did...) I'm thinking though...why so expensive? The vast majority of it for inflated "Emergency" services that were forced upon us?

Had she been without insurance, or been found at fault and the claim denied...we would have been in some serious financial issues...over a car wreck where Police and officials INSISTED she go in the ambulance...(quite literally, even though I was a half mile away and on my way getting dressed to drive the other car to come up there and take them to the ER)....

And, this...THIS...is a very shallow example of how the US medical system is messed up. It's the cost center...the providers. NOT the insurance companies, and NOT the law (per se)...

 

[StarWarsGirl]

The total settlement for "health expenses" (which included the EMT trip and "follow up visits") was over 40k.

For an accident that chipped my daughter's tooth, bloodied her lip (she still has a small scar there) and bloodied her mother's nose...

Property damage was around 7k.

So, the insurance company (USAA in this case, since we were both covered by the same carrier), paid out 47k, for what seemed awful, but in reality was a rather minor accident.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have paid (neither did they, they did...) I'm thinking though...why so expensive? The vast majority of it for inflated "Emergency" services that were forced upon us?

Had she been without insurance, or been found at fault and the claim denied...we would have been in some serious financial issues...over a car wreck where Police and officials INSISTED she go in the ambulance...(quite literally, even though I was a half mile away and on my way getting dressed to drive the other car to come up there and take them to the ER)....

And, this...THIS...is a very shallow example of how the US medical system is messed up. It's the cost center...the providers. NOT the insurance companies, and NOT the law (per se)...

MD has what's called uninsured motorists, so if for some reason you don't have insurance (even though you are supposed to) or if the person at fault runs, then they will pay rather than the insurance company. I was in an accident a little over a year ago, and since it was a hit-and-run, it ended up going through MD uninsured motorist after our company paid initially. I didn't go for emergency services, though; I went to my doctor the next day, wound up in physical therapy, which cost a LOT, had vehicle repairs, and got settlement out of it. But it still was less than the accident with your ex and daughter.

But I hear ya on the medical front. Our insurance has a $1,500 deductible, and when I was 13 I needed my tonsils out, and we ended up getting permission for me to do it while in school because it would have been $10,000 with the way our insurance worked to get it done over spring break, after we started a new deductible, instead of early March. It was a good thing that I got it done sooner rather than later because I had another infection brewing in there, but still. And seeing as how I bled three days after the surgery, that would have been another chunk of change.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Well, I'm out for the night. Not to sleep but to study. Which is fine; I get up at 10 for a noon class anyway. Later!

 

[englanddg]

MD has what's called uninsured motorists, so if for some reason you don't have insurance (even though you are supposed to) or if the person at fault runs, then they will pay rather than the insurance company. I was in an accident a little over a year ago, and since it was a hit-and-run, it ended up going through MD uninsured motorist after our company paid initially. I didn't go for emergency services, though; I went to my doctor the next day, wound up in physical therapy, which cost a LOT, had vehicle repairs, and got settlement out of it. But it still was less than the accident with your ex and daughter.

But I hear ya on the medical front. Our insurance has a $1,500 deductible, and when I was 13 I needed my tonsils out, and we ended up getting permission for me to do it while in school because it would have been $10,000 with the way our insurance worked to get it done over spring break, after we started a new deductible, instead of early March. It was a good thing that I got it done sooner rather than later because I had another infection brewing in there, but still. And seeing as how I bled three days after the surgery, that would have been another chunk of change.

UI coverage is mandatory on every insurance policy in MD. It's not a "state thing"...it's an Insurance Provider thing. The private insurance company still paid for it. And yes, UI coverage is the single best endorsement one can get on a comp and coll policy.

 

[JenniferS]

Oy, my head is spinning.

The health-care system up here is much less complicated.
Pay a butt-load of taxes up front. Nothing later.

I watch a lot of People's Court and Judge Judy. I am always shocked to hear about these 30K emergency room visits after a fight, fall, or car accident.

I was serious about an ambulance ride costing $65. Often times (not just when you die), there is no charge. Same as an air ambulance.

Again, it's not "free". We just pay our bills up front, through our very high taxes. Go ahead, ask me why we pay 30-40% more for the same gasoline we ship south of the border.

And with that, I am off to bed, with visions of GOLD hockey medals dancing in my head. Night all.

 

[englanddg]

Oy, my head is spinning.

The health-care system up here is much less complicated.
Pay a butt-load of taxes up front. Nothing later.

I watch a lot of People's Court and Judge Judy. I am always shocked to hear about these 30K emergency room visits after a fight, fall, or car accident.

I was serious about an ambulance ride costing $65. Often times (not just when you die), there is no charge. Same as an air ambulance.

Again, it's not "free". We just pay our bills up front, through our very high taxes. Go ahead, ask me why we pay 30-40% more for the same gasoline we ship south of the border.

And with that, I am off to bed, with visions of GOLD hockey medals dancing in my head. Night all.

I pay a butt-load in taxes as well, but more than half of the country here actually MAKES money off taxes (yes, that is possible with our tax system) or pays no federal income taxes.

I'll leave it at that.

 

[englanddg]

43% was my federal/state income tax rate last year as a combined percentage.

 

[Joe]

How do I get out of here?

 

[englanddg]

How do I get out of here?

 

[Cesar R M]

A gave you a like, just for saying "fart" on a Disney forum.

easier like ever!
I'm proud!

and only?

Must be because he doesn't judge whatever you search for the quirkiest fetish ever.. or other stuff..

They would not survive this terrifying creature in my house...
View attachment 46848

gaaah! cute!!
I have a weak point with kittens and bunnies

If I got mice ever I'd get a cat so fast.

Or borrow a cat.

hang on.. how do you "borrow a cat" ? :|

I've never been "That guy", but, I was "Needs a hug" in July of '12 and "Will buy everybody churros" in June of last year.

You sure your supply of hugs didnt ran out after giving Churros for free?

My brother has been the rebel spy three times. I said if he's the only hope of the rebellion the rebellion is in trouble. Everyone else has been it once. Including Bestie. First ride of the trip, first time she's ever been on it...she said the ride would never be as good again. My dad got picked, but continuously insists that he is a double agent. He's also said he's Darth Vader. I said that's fine since it makes me Princess Leia. And since he said he's Darth Vader, if he (or my mom actually) calls my cell phone, the Darth Vader theme plays. To much amusement of my group of friends at lunch last trip. *Music plays*, they look at me, "Oh, yup, that's my parents."

I wonder.. these rebel spy things.. are always kids right? I have never seen it select an adult if there are kids in the times I went

Cool! I am certainly willing to imitate a frog for a free ambulance ride...!

I would consider that man very lucky.. as we have to pay for ALL OF THAT.... hardly anything covered due of awful service.. (aka they make it sure that you have to pay for the expensive private ambulance)

 

[Cesar R M]

Thankfully I never needed braces; my teeth are perfectly straight, as are my brothers, but both of us need glasses. We're both slightly far-sighted. I've only had mine for six months (perhaps that's why; laws have changed since you were a kid). Before that I had them in middle school and freshman year of high school, but stopped using them. But boy they've made a difference now. I'll probably go get my eyes checked again in two years or so. Or whenever they tell me I need to get them checked again

no problems with wisdoms teeth either?

Well, I think I'm off to bed. Monday morning is rolling around, unfortunately. See you all on the flip side!

PS- Can tomorrow really be considered the "flip side"?

How busy can a Push be?
I tough you were out of work ?

MD has what's called uninsured motorists, so if for some reason you don't have insurance (even though you are supposed to) or if the person at fault runs, then they will pay rather than the insurance company. I was in an accident a little over a year ago, and since it was a hit-and-run, it ended up going through MD uninsured motorist after our company paid initially. I didn't go for emergency services, though; I went to my doctor the next day, wound up in physical therapy, which cost a LOT, had vehicle repairs, and got settlement out of it. But it still was less than the accident with your ex and daughter.

But I hear ya on the medical front. Our insurance has a $1,500 deductible, and when I was 13 I needed my tonsils out, and we ended up getting permission for me to do it while in school because it would have been $10,000 with the way our insurance worked to get it done over spring break, after we started a new deductible, instead of early March. It was a good thing that I got it done sooner rather than later because I had another infection brewing in there, but still. And seeing as how I bled three days after the surgery, that would have been another chunk of change.

Its still very awful to see those hit and runs.. cowards who refuse to take responsibility of the damage they cause :/

I pay a butt-load in taxes as well, but more than half of the country here actually MAKES money off taxes (yes, that is possible with our tax system) or pays no federal income taxes.

I'll leave it at that.

there are always a trick or two to dodge the taxes hu?
specially if you're a top lobbyist & corporate?

How do I get out of here?

with a lot of effort and praying!

 

[MOXOMUMD]

these rebel spy things.. are always kids right? I have never seen it select an adult if there are kids in the times I went

No. In the 200+ times I've ridden it, it's always been a mix. I've been rebel spy twice.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I really have nothing to add, just wanted to say HI to everyone and I hope your Monday isn't ugly.