Cali Kid Corals

Rant : medical cost is crazy

newfly

newfly

Supporting Member
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Just to rant a bit. I’m lucky that everyone in my family is relatively healthy. Hardy have to see doctor in years. 2 weeks ago the kiddo have a bad flu and I took him to Sutter manly because we need the doc note for missing school >3 days. I work for a big high tech company here and have United Healthcare. Guess how much is bill?

$1200! No joke. Just 15mins consultation ($600) and the doc did the flu/covid test ($600). Since I have not met my deductible, everything is out of pocket.

this is crazy. I called Sutter and they will “double check” and get back to me in 30days. I expected to eat the cost.

UnitedHealthcare says nothing they can do since I have not met my deductible.

Any alternative to Sutter? Sutter/PMAF seems to be taking over all the medical offices ard here. I supposed i can go back to Kaiser in 2027! Open enrollment ended last Dec.

for reference, the whole family had a stomach flu while vacationing in Singapore. Singapore is a first world country, with medical care rival US. Walked into a large private hospital Urgent care , no insurance, not a citizen etc. total cost incl. medication for all 3 is less than $200 . This was last year. I didn’t even file any insurance claim when I get back. Not that expect anything since it’s below my deductible.

This is messed up. Instead of all the conversation of ACA / insurance subsidies, the focus should be going after the medical cost (vs insurance)

Ok done with my rant.
 
newfly said:
the focus should be going after the medical cost (vs insurance)
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The "cost" to the companies who develop is universal. The cost to the patient is much lower in other countries with single payer systems that can negotiate what they want to pay. You are right that the insurance companies are a huge part of the problem and that doesn't exist in other systems. We aren't getting rid of the insurance companies because they have so much lobbying power, so that is why the insurance subsidies are a big part of the conversation.
 
That’s one expensive cold/flu. Unfortunately it went around big time over the holidays. I’m still getting over the cough.

Johnny. Your Asian. How come Pau pau didnt give your son Mr. Po Chai. He cures everything. That was my grandma’s go to. That and grandma’s perfume. Bac Fa Yow.
 
Turkeysammich said:
That’s one expensive cold/flu. Unfortunately it went around big time over the holidays. I’m still getting over the cough.

Johnny. Your Asian. How come Pau pau didnt give your son Mr. Po Chai. He cures everything. That was my grandma’s go to. That and grandma’s perfume. Bac Fa Yow.
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Need a doctor note for the school. Grandma note not good enough!
 
derek_SR said:
I don’t disagree with any of the rants, but the stuff you guys are going to the hospital for is honestly crazy to me!
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we don’t usually see a doc . But the kid’s high school need a doctor note for missing >3days of school. He missed his finals . It’s going to be a major problem if we don’t have a a doc note.

I explore abit on Sutter website and virtual consultation seems to be half the price or less. Lesson learned. Skip in person, declined any lab test!
 
That sucks, 1200 is really crazy. That could have been an entire 1.5 wwc frags.
I'm lucky to be in some science competitions at my high school, so when I get sick I can ask my teammates if it's worth going to the doctor

Good luck to your son's finals. Make sure he sleeps well and eats before exams
 
Talking about price. My insurance with Blue Shield California was going to go up 475%, from $64 to $368. I changed over to Balance by CCHP. I wanted to stay with my doctor so that’s why I didn’t go with Kaiser.
 
I had a kidney stone early Nov. I was told by the urgent care my insurance was taken there.... insurance paid $60 out of a multi thousand dollar visit. I would have bolted and gone to the hospital if they told me it was out of network. It used to be in network, I way unaware it turned into Sutter.
 
Turkeysammich said:
That’s one expensive cold/flu. Unfortunately it went around big time over the holidays. I’m still getting over the cough.

Johnny. Your Asian. How come Pau pau didnt give your son Mr. Po Chai. He cures everything. That was my grandma’s go to. That and grandma’s perfume. Bac Fa Yow.
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Did you drink the perfume?!?
Hook up your “round eye” reef loving brethren

And my insurance premium doubled as of this year...BOOOO
:-(
 
BAYMAC said:
I had a kidney stone early Nov. I was told by the urgent care my insurance was taken there.... insurance paid $60 out of a multi thousand dollar visit. I would have bolted and gone to the hospital if they told me it was out of network. It used to be in network, I way unaware it turned into Sutter.
Click to expand...
Had same experience with a dental office who staff receptionist said was in network was even listed on the insurance website was in network! But apparently the dental practice broke ties and attempted to bill me an obscene amount from a procedure! The dental and insurance company split the difference.. Thankfully I take screenshots alot for notes and reminders which basically was the only proof since the insurance company had already removed the dental practice from their list..
 
yeah medical premiums suck arse.

My wife works for a large tech company in San Jose as well, but she is Kaiser. Well I am Kaiser as well through my dealership. But she had to go the the ER one night due to stomach pains. Sat in the ER for 4 hours (busy night). They never put her in a room, the nurse and later a doctor saw her in the hall on a gurney, and even took her blood samples there. They discharged her 2 hours later, and set up a follow up apt. The bill came about 2 weeks later...... $2100. We called and argued because one of the charges was $4000 for a room. We told them we were never put in a room and treated in the hall way. We got a revised bill a month later for $1200. -_-

I am staring down the barrel of a hip replacement due to arthritis, and I can't even think what that will cost me :( I just keep walking till one day I can't any more :p
 
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