"Jim" wrote in message
m...
Vic Smith wrote:
On Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:51:31 -0700, Jim wrote:

H the K wrote:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html



I'm going to defy the truce, which I shouldn't do.

Had an interesting discussion yesterday. Out of a group three of us
dock neighbors, two just had Colonoscopys. Both had two polyps removed.

Third guy, a liveaboard who makes his living doing odd jobs, said he
(age 53) could never afford a Colonoscopy, as he had no health insurance
(or an actual job) he has other things to pay for.

I did some looking, a Colonoscopy costs from a low of $650, to about
$3200.

I saw what the insurance company was billed on the first one I had
about 5 years ago. Six or seven benign polyps removed.
$4700.
Go figure.

--Vic


When I looked at prices, they ranged from $1500 to $42000. If they find
polyps the charge for the removal of each one. $4700 sounds about right.

I'm kind if suspicious that my neighbor and I each had two. I'll bet they
never find just one.

That is a profit based health care system works.

Does the library make a profit? Fire Dept? Police? Craigslist?

As Craig said, "I'm running a service, not a business." Maybe our health
care system has the wrong focus.

I had one small polyp, and was not the type that goes rogue. So they said
come back in 10 years. Wife had different polyp and said come back in 5
years. She took the pills to clean her out this time. Said was much
better. My PPO had no co-pay and I get to pick my doc, unlike an HMO. So I
pick the best doc in the valley. I was turning 60, and had my deductible
paid, so figured I would get the colonoscopy for healths sake. Broken rib
playing roller hockey at 59 covers the deductible.

On Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:20:47 -0700, "Calif Bill"
wrote:




I had one small polyp, and was not the type that goes rogue. So they said
come back in 10 years. Wife had different polyp and said come back in 5
years. She took the pills to clean her out this time. Said was much
better. My PPO had no co-pay and I get to pick my doc, unlike an HMO.

I don't know how it works with your insurance, or in different parts
of the country. That's one of the problems with health insurance
coverage - they keep moving targets and keep everybody guessing.
I've had the same primary care doc through three different HMO's.
Originally picked him because of the group and the hospital I'd be in
if something serious happened, which I've heard is the most important
consideration.
The co-pay is maybe up to 25 bucks for a visit now. Last I went a
couple years ago it was 15 bucks.
For some perspective, I'm going to pick up 2 ball joints and 2 outer
tie rod ends for my '97 Lumina today. The ball joints are $42 each
and the tie rod ends $38 each. And those are minor parts prices.
Haven't looked close at the details for a while, but last I looked my
Aetna HMO insurance is more expensive than the offered PPO, but has
less deductibles.
A bud I worked with was always harping on that "pick my doc" deal.
Never understood that, unless you're a hypochondriac.
I've been to eye, ortho, and rear end specialists, and each time my
doc gave me choices of who to see in those specialties - and why - as
we talked it over.
I'm not about to go running to specialists without talking to my doc,
so it's natural I see him first.
I don't listen to aunt Mabel or pharma TV ads for medical aid.
Should have paid attention to my wife once though.
My left knee was giving me a lot of pain for a long time and the doc,
the ortho guy, and the x-rays and then MRI found nothing.
Went to a physical therapist the ortho guy sent me to after looking at
the x-rays and MRI, and she trained me in exercises I was supposed to
do.
HMO paid for all this except less than 50 bucks in co-pays.
Before I could get into the exercises my wife yelled at me for maybe
the 5th time to get my legs off the desk while I was on the computer.
Said it didn't look natural.
I always leaned back in my easy chair with my wireless keyboard on my
lap, and my heels up higher on the desk, supporting my legs.
Next day she came home with an Ottoman for my legs and insisted I use
it.
Pain was gone in a week and never came back.
Guess I was hyperextending my knee joint or whatever for too many
years. Told the doc later and he laughed and said he'll remember that
next time somebody has knee pain.

--Vic