4 stitches in my hand cost $452

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Jumpem
The price doesn't seem unreasonable as far as medical costs go.

Ya, that seems cheap. But then, I would have wrapped it in paper towels and duct tape.

Hah, I've done that. Sliced my thumb open when I was pulling off plastic wrapping on a folding table, wrapping gave and slid my thum down the length of the rail that guides the legs. It was too late for me to go to my primary care clinic and I did not want the expense of the ER. So I wrapped it up in paper towels and tightly bound it with packaging tape. When I got to see the doc it was too late for stitches but the skin had closed up so it was ok. It wasn't as deep as the OP is talking though.

As for costs, I would say that it was reasonable, given the care you described.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

So Phokus you say that the Japanese don't subsidize health care? You are sure about that?

As far as the Japanese having their livelyhoods limited by government I wouldn't be suprised. They are far ahead of us in terms of being subserviant to power. Well some of us.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ebaycj

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Doesn't sound unreasonable at all to me. Think about all the cost associated with it. Someone has to pay for the thread that's holding your wound shut, the drugs that numbed your hand while they stitched you, the electricity to provide the light so they could see to stitch you, the staff that empties the container of sharps that contains the needle that injected the drugs into your hand, the office staff that processed your paperwork and the doctor that actually sewed you together. Not to mention the risk of lawsuit the doctor and medical facility face if you get an infection or suffer long term effects such as poor circulation due to a blood vessel that didn't heal or loss of feeling due to nerve damage or allergic reaction to the drugs they used to numb your hand.

Then why would the same procedure have cost $100 if it was done by a vetrinarian on a dog / cat / other pet ?

I don't know where you take your pet, but last time I saw any pet needing stitches they had to put them under. Around here that is about $200 by itself.

The last surgery my dog needed for a bite (about 8-10 stitches) was $750.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
So Phokus you say that the Japanese don't subsidize health care? You are sure about that?

As far as the Japanese having their livelyhoods limited by government I wouldn't be suprised. They are far ahead of us in terms of being subserviant to power. Well some of us.

For those out of work, yes they do. But the biggest thing is that their government sets the payment schedule for both private and public insurance.

Yeah, the japanese sure are suffering from 'big government'.

*Japan spends 1/3rd as much as we do*
*goes to the doctor 3 to 4 times more than we do*
*uses MRI and other imaging services more than we do*
*conservatives still have no argument other than 'ZOMG BIG GUBMINT'*

Japan is a very capitalist society, but even they have their limits as to how much harm they will accept from a very flawed free market system.

FYI, 70% of Japanese say they want an egalitarian system in their healthcare delivery. That pretty much rules out free market healthcare.

 

[2Xtreme21]

I swear, I'd die if this great country turned Socialist. FREEDOM!

 

[xj0hnx]

Originally posted by: Number1

Originally posted by: xj0hnx

Originally posted by: Phokus

This is YOUR america, spidey:

http://www.harvardscience.harv...d-lack-health-coverage

"New study finds 45,000 deaths annually linked to lack of health coverage"

Uninsured, working-age Americans have 40 percent higher death risk than privately insured counterparts

You and your ilk are quite literally scum of the earth.

That's fucking retarded emotional dribble, over 2 million people in America die every year. ZOMG!!111!!!! if I don't have insurance my chance of survival are like ten times better!!!11!!! douchebaggery.

You're not addressing his points. His reference is a respected institution.
In case you didn't understand, his point is that 45000 people would have lived longer if they had receive the proper medical care.

You just wrote an emotional response.

Not even close to "emotional". His reference left out a piece of information that is vital, how many of them CHOOSE to not have insurance, or HOW the people in their "study" aka questionare with a follow up, died, and my point that 2.4 MILLION Americans die every year, what pecentage of those had healthcare, and still died, the whole point is that it is a stupid study aimed squarley at emotional basketcases, and I don't care how "respected" of an institution it is. And when they say something like "?The Institute of Medicine, using older studies, estimated that one American dies every 30 minutes from lack of health insurance,? just makes me laugh, uh-oh insaurance lapsed, might die!!!

 

[yh125d]

Put some tussin on it, and wrap it in gauze for about a month. That way you should get a nice nasty scar

 

[ja1484]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
I swear, I'd die if this great country turned Socialist. FREEDOM!

I love that pic. The last group I expected to come through gangbusters on the healthcare debate was /b/, but there you go.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
So Phokus you say that the Japanese don't subsidize health care? You are sure about that?

As far as the Japanese having their livelyhoods limited by government I wouldn't be suprised. They are far ahead of us in terms of being subserviant to power. Well some of us.

For those out of work, yes they do. But the biggest thing is that their government sets the payment schedule for both private and public insurance.

Yeah, the japanese sure are suffering from 'big government'.

*Japan spends 1/3rd as much as we do*
*goes to the doctor 3 to 4 times more than we do*
*uses MRI and other imaging services more than we do*
*conservatives still have no argument other than 'ZOMG BIG GUBMINT'*

Japan is a very capitalist society, but even they have their limits as to how much harm they will accept from a very flawed free market system.

FYI, 70% of Japanese say they want an egalitarian system in their healthcare delivery. That pretty much rules out free market healthcare.

Interesting
83% of healthcare financed by government.

But I'm afraid that all your promotion of government can't happen like in Japan. First, the US would have to take over health care like Japan. You'll find that there will be innumerable Constitutional challenges to that. There's about oh. almost no chance of that. Then the government will have to selectively pick a group of people and limit their wages. That's not going to fly either. The only chance you have of promoting your agenda is to have the Constitution amended to allow the Government to set wages as it sees fit. Again good luck with that.

I'm amenable to changes, but I have learned over the years that govt in general seeks to promote itself. Others have faith that it's benign. So be it.

 

[Number1]

Originally posted by: xj0hnx

Not even close to "emotional". His reference left out a piece of information that is vital, how many of them CHOOSE to not have insurance, or HOW the people in their "study" aka questionare with a follow up, died, and my point that 2.4 MILLION Americans die every year, what pecentage of those had healthcare, and still died, the whole point is that it is a stupid study aimed squarley at emotional basketcases, and I don't care how "respected" of an institution it is. And when they say something like "?The Institute of Medicine, using older studies, estimated that one American dies every 30 minutes from lack of health insurance,? just makes me laugh, uh-oh insaurance lapsed, might die!!!

You still don't get it. Let me repeat it: 45000 people would have lived longer if they had receive the proper medical care. I don't know why you like to point out that people with insurance also die. Everybody dies at one point.

The study is valid. People with health care coverage live longer. It's logical.

Why would you not want this for all your citizen like us in Canada.

One more point, the highlighted words in you post are of a fairly emotional nature.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
I swear, I'd die if this great country turned Socialist. FREEDOM!

LULZ!

 

[xj0hnx]

Originally posted by: Number1

Originally posted by: xj0hnx

Not even close to "emotional". His reference left out a piece of information that is vital, how many of them CHOOSE to not have insurance, or HOW the people in their "study" aka questionare with a follow up, died, and my point that 2.4 MILLION Americans die every year, what pecentage of those had healthcare, and still died, the whole point is that it is a stupid study aimed squarley at emotional basketcases, and I don't care how "respected" of an institution it is. And when they say something like "?The Institute of Medicine, using older studies, estimated that one American dies every 30 minutes from lack of health insurance,? just makes me laugh, uh-oh insaurance lapsed, might die!!!

You still don't get it. Let me repeat it: 45000 people would have lived longer if they had receive the proper medical care. I don't know why you like to point out that people with insurance also die. Everybody dies at one point.

The study is valid. People with health care coverage live longer. It's logical.

Why would you not want this for all your citizen like us in Canada.

One more point, the highlighted words in you post are of a fairly emotional nature.

How many people with insurance die anyway, and how many die as a result of their treatment, or surgeries? Does this mean that people with insurance are at risk? No it doesn't, it's just another point that a study of 45000 (give me a break, I could find that many people in my shithole town I'd offer up as sacrifice to the gods) is not some epidimec, and is only offering up as an emotional outcry.

I don't live in Canada, if you're happy with your system, have fun with that, personally I don't think that the burden of helping those that don't want to help themselves should be spread amungst those that do.

In America there are NUMEROUS organizations that help people in need, and when those fail they can run to the state, even if it's just because they'd rather have blingblang dubs on their Escalade than pay for insurance.

 

[Gothgar]

Wow... this took a nasty fucking turn for P&N, lets move it there....

On the OT nature of the start of this thread...

Pics !

Pics of the hot nurse who performed the stitching

 

[senseamp]

Should have driven down to TJ and got some stitches at a clinic there. Then you'd have $400 left for entertainment.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: spidey07


Can't provide for yourself means you should die. Darwin rules. Survival of the fittest.

You should be the proud poster child of this.

heh.

Guess he figures Stephen Hawking should have just died before he wrote his books to make money. After all, what good were his theories and advancements in physics if he didn't make enough money to pay for treatments to keep him alive before the big bucks rolled in?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: FoBoT
so why would any Japanese want to be a doctor, what is the incentive if the govt. controls all the prices

Believe it or not, not everyone wants to become a doctor for just the money. Perhaps Japan subsidizes their medical education?

they would have to or nobody could afford to be a doctor.



a good Heath care system is not going to work in the US for years there are to many roadblocks. such as the cost of education, private health insurance, lobbyist (big one here) and curruption in congress. There is far to much money involved.

while i have sympathy for those without insurance i don't want to pay for them. I worked hard to save enough money so i can afford insurance and not work. I also have many health problems so insurance is not cheap. I have Never been denied anything with it either

You already do.

well true.

i don't like paying for people that refuse to work harder or longer for insurance. I don't mind paying to help people who are disabled, out of work (but looking for work), the elderly (but do feel they should cut some of the stupid stuff for them. why give a 79 yr old a new heart when a 30 yr old needs it?).

i am happy with my insurance. Even though i pay a lot with my medical issues it is cheap.

hell i pay $100 a month for meds with insurance!

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Should have driven down to TJ and got some stitches at a clinic there. Then you'd have $400 left for entertainment.

I think the ebay guy should go around doing this for 5 bucks a pop.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: spidey07


Can't provide for yourself means you should die. Darwin rules. Survival of the fittest.

You should be the proud poster child of this.

heh.

Guess he figures Stephen Hawking should have just died before he wrote his books to make money. After all, what good were his theories and advancements in physics if he didn't make enough money to pay for treatments to keep him alive before the big bucks rolled in?

exactly. stephen hawking is a great reason for UHC. the world would be worse off without the man.

I really wish people in goverment weren't so damn currupt.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: spidey07


Can't provide for yourself means you should die. Darwin rules. Survival of the fittest.

You should be the proud poster child of this.

heh.

Guess he figures Stephen Hawking should have just died before he wrote his books to make money. After all, what good were his theories and advancements in physics if he didn't make enough money to pay for treatments to keep him alive before the big bucks rolled in?

While I don't agree with Spidey, would Hawking have died if he was born in the US?

 

[Yzzim]

I didn't read the whole thread but I'll just add my 2 cents.

I work at a hospital doing billing and collections. You said you went to an urgent care so I don't think it'd be much different. A couple things that might help out with the bill:

1) See if the facility has any assistance for uninsured patients. In MN, it is state law that we give uninsured patients a 5% discount as long as they fill out a small form stating that they have no insurance.

2) You can apply for medical assistance through your county. There is some paperwork to do and it's not a guaranteed thing. You have to divulge a lot of info but it's worth a try.

3) If you are denied through the county you may be able to get more help through the urgent care facility. At my hospital, we can only provide financial assistance to people that have been denied assistance through the county. The assistance ranges anywhere from 25% to 100% discount. You'd probably be surprised at how much one has to make before they are not eligible for assistance.

Obviously I don't know your financial situation but if you are struggling and don't mind some paperwork this is definitely worth a shot.

Also, you could easily setup a payment plan through the facility. Usually the interest rate is extremely low (sometimes none) and the monthly payments are based on what you can afford.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: spidey07


Can't provide for yourself means you should die. Darwin rules. Survival of the fittest.

You should be the proud poster child of this.

heh.

Guess he figures Stephen Hawking should have just died before he wrote his books to make money. After all, what good were his theories and advancements in physics if he didn't make enough money to pay for treatments to keep him alive before the big bucks rolled in?

While I don't agree with Spidey, would Hawking have died if he was born in the US?

He would probably have had to leave school or quit his job to be eligible for medicaid to stay alive.
He would still be alive at taxpayer expense in the US. Yet, he wouldn't have contributed to physics like he did.
UHC would have let him stay alive and contribute to society.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: TruePaige

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Doesn't sound unreasonable at all to me. Think about all the cost associated with it. Someone has to pay for the thread that's holding your wound shut, the drugs that numbed your hand while they stitched you, the electricity to provide the light so they could see to stitch you, the staff that empties the container of sharps that contains the needle that injected the drugs into your hand, the office staff that processed your paperwork and the doctor that actually sewed you together. Not to mention the risk of lawsuit the doctor and medical facility face if you get an infection or suffer long term effects such as poor circulation due to a blood vessel that didn't heal or loss of feeling due to nerve damage or allergic reaction to the drugs they used to numb your hand.

So those factors (most of which are a casual cost of doing business for ANY business (Admin, janitorial, inventory and utilities) somehow necessitate 1800/hr pay?

I want some of whatever you are smoking.

To be quite honest, I'm happy the medical industry doesn't work on hourly rates. I don't want to be in an ER and being rushed out the door because if they fix me up in 15 minutes they can still bill me for 30 because that's what the manual says.

What do you think is a reasonable price for treatment the OP received?

*EDIT* By the way... I had knee surgery this past January and the hospital billed for about $25,000 in total. I was there for about 5 hours between both surgeries. By your logic, they billed $5,000/hr. Was it worth it? Doesn't sound like it when you look at it as $5,000 per hour... but when you look at it as a higher quality of life for the next 25 years until I'll likely knee a total knee replacement, it sounds pretty reasonable. Even more reasonable when you consider the insurance company negotiated it down to under $10,000.

It's hard to pin down, because any number will sound out of place in the current health care environment we utilize.

But I think the OP should have paid $0 up front, and around $44 a month in taxes.

What reason is there to believe the government would be better at managing health care than insurance companies? Seriously... what about the US government's track record leads you to believe they're a better place to pool your money to ensure you receive health care when needed? The government seems content to run a system into the ground (Social Security and Medicare). The government likes to promise things they can't deliver. The fact that the insurance industry is driven by profit is what keeps it alive in a capitalist society.

That's why you set up a bureau of health services that has it's monetary reserves protected from government borrowing / re-budgeting. The money can come in but it can only go out for health care use.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Spidey I like you in OT but I've read the crap you spew in P&N and honestly you just seem to lose your marbles when the conversation gets political (shut up Phokus, so do you). You have absolutely no idea what it's like to live in a "socialist" country and you know nothing about the people here, so kindly keep your bigoted and highly offensive opinions to yourself.

My travels around the world have afforded me all I need to know about living in socialist countries. They fucking suck. You guys accept that shit as normal because you don't know anything better.

paying a few measily dollars in japan for stitches vs $452 here in the USA. Sorry, but you're dumb.

edit: I think even overnight hospital stays in Japan cost something like $10 a night.

WTF are you talking about? The Asian countries have the lowest rate of salary EVER. I am willing to bet you make under 50K and expect people to pay for your insurance. We have major differences, I can actually work to pay for my own insurance.

I do not need the Government to run more of my life unlike yourself.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
What I've learned from this thread: if you get cheap/free healthcare, you are living in an Orwellian nightmare of a country where oppression and logjamming reign supreme.

Dude it's terrible here. Why won't somebody save me?

 

[beer]

I wrecked my bike, got taken to the ER, and two stiches to my lip and three to my cheek was $7,000.

This effectively means that my surgery after my insurance paid 90% of it still cost about what yours did.