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by JimboOmega
3095 days ago
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Let's not forget that most people get insurance through their employers, which really limits the choices. Paying up front for medical services - especially in today's "Chargemaster" world where nobody has a clue what anything really costs - requires you to be REALLY rich. A straightforward appendectomy for me required an overnight hospital stay which was billed at a $17K (the surgery, etc, was more). Funny thing about that link. It has a chart of "The average number of days to get a non-emergency doctor’s appointment". Los Angeles is pretty flat around 23 days. Guess what time limits the state of California places on that legally? (hint, it's less: http://www.dmhc.ca.gov/HealthCareinCalifornia/YourHealthCare...) |
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I refuse to p(l)ay. My wife is medical and we have insurance, but I go to the indigent clinic for any infections I may get and buy a $4 prescription. This same experience with a doctor in a nice area would be lots more, even with insurance. Sure, you can tell these bastards you want no tests, etc., but some won't treat you without them, and most are not needed. Think I have strep? That's one test that's cheap. That and flu a/b. Any others are ridiculously pricey.
I spoke to one of the indigent doctors and asked him how he stays in business making $25, $25 there. He says he's not in it for the money. I believe him. He told me that in everyday doctors' offices, the doctors are convinced by the pharmaceutical sales reps to push product. They can win cruises, cars, etc., based on much drugs they push out the door in RX, so the desire to make money trumps being minimalistic in care. Give me only what's needed for the time being. I don't want long-term drugs and refuse to take them. I will only take antibiotics if I need them and only antibiotics. I will never take meds for high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Look at the numbers. The threshholds for these numbers have been lowered in the last decade or two to push RXs.
Like I mentioned in another post, the Americans doctors are the Ferengi of medicine. I refuse to pay more than $25 to see the doctor. I've even had stitches for $25. Try getting that price going to a non-indigent clinic. And, the Mexican and Indian doctors at the clinic have been doctors for over 20 years each. I've never been misdiagnosed.
To those who are sick of paying out the nose, look for the cheaper clinics that serve immigrants. They prefer cash, don't need insurance, and actually treat you like a human being.