On 3/24/2017 10:38 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:35 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:15 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:03 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 9:44 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 7:51 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2017 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:42:59 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

11:39 AMKeyser Soze
- show quoted text -
I'm sure Fretwell will be delighted to serve as your medical
advisor,
and at no co$t either, except perhaps your life.
....
Can't be much worse than the people who get payed well to perform
unnecessary procedures.

In just about any other context, Harry would be complaining about
the
"pay for service" model of American health care. It is amazing
how he
can work both sides of the table so well but I guess it is natural
for
a person who pimps government unions.



A few months ago (at the recommendation of a couple of veteran
friends)
I applied for health care services through the VA. I haven't had a
primary care physician for a while (he unfortunately died at a young
age
of leukemia) so I was basically starting from scratch.

Turns out *all* vets are eligible for health care through the VA as
long
as they served at least 24 months and have an honorable discharge.
There is a means test of sorts but some forms of income are not
considered, nor are your bank accounts and your income only
contributes
to the determination of what priority classification you are eligible
for. There are 8 classifications, 1 being the highest, 8 the lowest.
You could be a multi billionaire but if you are an honorably
discharged
vet, you will still qualify, although probably in the lowest (8)
priority classification.

So, the VA sent me a letter welcoming me and sent a booklet that is
personalized for what types of services, hospitalization, checkups,
tests, etc. that I am eligible for. In total, I have better
coverage by
far than I had under the Blue Cross policy that we used to pay
$1,400 a
month for. I even have coverage for nursing home expenses and/or
full
time home nursing services if the day ever comes that I need them.

The VA assigned a primary care physician in a VA clinic that is
about 5
miles from my house. I've had three appointments so far, including
full
blood work, colon-rectal cancer tests and other tests to establish a
baseline. The doc spent over an hour with me at the first
appointment
getting background data, etc. BTW ... related to a recent thread
here
... one of the questions was if I had guns in the house and, if so,
are
they secure.

Anyway, the only thing wrong with me is slightly elevated blood
pressure. Doc said it's not "horrible" but prescribed some meds to
get
it a bit lower. I don't like taking meds and I know that once I get
more physically active once the cold and snow stops my BP will drop
but
in the meantime I'll take the meds.

My only out of pocket cost is an $8 co-payment for a 90 day supply of
the pills. If I need to be hospitalized for some reason there is a
$97
per day co-payment for the first 21 days. After that, there is no
payments by me. No co-payments for doc visits, checkups, tests, etc.

The VA is totally independent from Medicare and the VA does not
charge
Medicare for services. I am seriously thinking about dropping Part B
and it's cost and dropping the gap insurance policy I have for Part B
through Tufts. I don't need them if I use the VA for health care
which
will save me about $350 a month.

Bottom line is: The VA isn't a health insurance program. It's a
health
care program. The Boston area VA (which governs the facilities I
use)
is the highest rated VA health car are in the nation. So far, I have
been very impressed.



So, shifting the burden is ok for a Republican, even a wealthy one.
Figures.

Using benefits that the government says I earned is "shifting the
burden" in your eyes? I figured this would **** you off.





No, it just illustrates something else that is wrong with our health
care system. If you suffered a serious battle injury or debilitating
injury while in the service, I see nothing wrong with providing you with
good healthcare at no cost for the recovery, even a lifelong recovery,
for that problem or problems. Why should the VA pay for treatment of
your HBP, especially since any sort of means test would indicate you can
afford to buy private health insurance or pay for a private doctor
without any difficulty.


Truthfully, I always thought you had to have a major service related
disability or be a retired "lifer" in order to qualify for VA health
care. Apparently for many years that was true. However the policy
changed when the VA/TriCare system was reorganized many years ago. The
VA now encourages vets to apply.

There *is* a means test however I still qualify for certain health care
services, more so than I expected. I had a minor, service related
injury however I don't think it factored into what category I was placed
because it is not a disability in any way.

I had two reasons to post about this. One was to let other vets know
who may not realize that they are eligible.

The second reason was because I knew it would **** you off.





It doesn't "**** me off." It just points out yet another inequity in our
health care system.

I agree that our health care system sucks. I've been fortunate to have
been very healthy over the years and have not needed any extensive
health care services. However, I realized something was really screwed
up when I had a routine stress test done a few years ago and the
hospital charged the insurance company $14,000. Made me start thinking
about it.

Hey, you have always been a proponent of "free health care" for
everyone, managed by the federal government, much like the socialist
European countries you so admire.

I am just trying to make your wish come true. :-)

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:38 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:35 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:15 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:03 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 9:44 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 7:51 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2017 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:42:59 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

11:39 AMKeyser Soze
- show quoted text -
I'm sure Fretwell will be delighted to serve as your medical
advisor,
and at no co$t either, except perhaps your life.
....
Can't be much worse than the people who get payed well to perform
unnecessary procedures.

In just about any other context, Harry would be complaining about
the
"pay for service" model of American health care. It is amazing
how he
can work both sides of the table so well but I guess it is natural
for
a person who pimps government unions.



A few months ago (at the recommendation of a couple of veteran
friends)
I applied for health care services through the VA. I haven't had a
primary care physician for a while (he unfortunately died at a young
age
of leukemia) so I was basically starting from scratch.

Turns out *all* vets are eligible for health care through the VA as
long
as they served at least 24 months and have an honorable discharge.
There is a means test of sorts but some forms of income are not
considered, nor are your bank accounts and your income only
contributes
to the determination of what priority classification you are eligible
for. There are 8 classifications, 1 being the highest, 8 the lowest.
You could be a multi billionaire but if you are an honorably
discharged
vet, you will still qualify, although probably in the lowest (8)
priority classification.

So, the VA sent me a letter welcoming me and sent a booklet that is
personalized for what types of services, hospitalization, checkups,
tests, etc. that I am eligible for. In total, I have better
coverage by
far than I had under the Blue Cross policy that we used to pay
$1,400 a
month for. I even have coverage for nursing home expenses and/or
full
time home nursing services if the day ever comes that I need them.

The VA assigned a primary care physician in a VA clinic that is
about 5
miles from my house. I've had three appointments so far, including
full
blood work, colon-rectal cancer tests and other tests to establish a
baseline. The doc spent over an hour with me at the first
appointment
getting background data, etc. BTW ... related to a recent thread
here
... one of the questions was if I had guns in the house and, if so,
are
they secure.

Anyway, the only thing wrong with me is slightly elevated blood
pressure. Doc said it's not "horrible" but prescribed some meds to
get
it a bit lower. I don't like taking meds and I know that once I get
more physically active once the cold and snow stops my BP will drop
but
in the meantime I'll take the meds.

My only out of pocket cost is an $8 co-payment for a 90 day supply of
the pills. If I need to be hospitalized for some reason there is a
$97
per day co-payment for the first 21 days. After that, there is no
payments by me. No co-payments for doc visits, checkups, tests, etc.

The VA is totally independent from Medicare and the VA does not
charge
Medicare for services. I am seriously thinking about dropping Part B
and it's cost and dropping the gap insurance policy I have for Part B
through Tufts. I don't need them if I use the VA for health care
which
will save me about $350 a month.

Bottom line is: The VA isn't a health insurance program. It's a
health
care program. The Boston area VA (which governs the facilities I
use)
is the highest rated VA health car are in the nation. So far, I have
been very impressed.



So, shifting the burden is ok for a Republican, even a wealthy one.
Figures.

Using benefits that the government says I earned is "shifting the
burden" in your eyes? I figured this would **** you off.





No, it just illustrates something else that is wrong with our health
care system. If you suffered a serious battle injury or debilitating
injury while in the service, I see nothing wrong with providing you with
good healthcare at no cost for the recovery, even a lifelong recovery,
for that problem or problems. Why should the VA pay for treatment of
your HBP, especially since any sort of means test would indicate you can
afford to buy private health insurance or pay for a private doctor
without any difficulty.


Truthfully, I always thought you had to have a major service related
disability or be a retired "lifer" in order to qualify for VA health
care. Apparently for many years that was true. However the policy
changed when the VA/TriCare system was reorganized many years ago. The
VA now encourages vets to apply.

There *is* a means test however I still qualify for certain health care
services, more so than I expected. I had a minor, service related
injury however I don't think it factored into what category I was placed
because it is not a disability in any way.

I had two reasons to post about this. One was to let other vets know
who may not realize that they are eligible.

The second reason was because I knew it would **** you off.





It doesn't "**** me off." It just points out yet another inequity in our
health care system.

I agree that our health care system sucks. I've been fortunate to have
been very healthy over the years and have not needed any extensive
health care services. However, I realized something was really screwed
up when I had a routine stress test done a few years ago and the
hospital charged the insurance company $14,000. Made me start thinking
about it.

Hey, you have always been a proponent of "free health care" for
everyone, managed by the federal government, much like the socialist
European countries you so admire.

I am just trying to make your wish come true. :-)





I favor a modified single payer system, not free health care. My nuclear
stress test a few years ago was $4700.

--
Posted with my iPhone 7+.

On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 10:55:40 -0400, Keyser Söze
wrote:

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:38 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:35 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:15 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:03 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 9:44 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 7:51 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2017 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:42:59 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

11:39 AMKeyser Soze
- show quoted text -
I'm sure Fretwell will be delighted to serve as your medical
advisor,
and at no co$t either, except perhaps your life.
....
Can't be much worse than the people who get payed well to perform
unnecessary procedures.

In just about any other context, Harry would be complaining about
the
"pay for service" model of American health care. It is amazing
how he
can work both sides of the table so well but I guess it is natural
for
a person who pimps government unions.



A few months ago (at the recommendation of a couple of veteran
friends)
I applied for health care services through the VA. I haven't had a
primary care physician for a while (he unfortunately died at a young
age
of leukemia) so I was basically starting from scratch.

Turns out *all* vets are eligible for health care through the VA as
long
as they served at least 24 months and have an honorable discharge.
There is a means test of sorts but some forms of income are not
considered, nor are your bank accounts and your income only
contributes
to the determination of what priority classification you are eligible
for. There are 8 classifications, 1 being the highest, 8 the lowest.
You could be a multi billionaire but if you are an honorably
discharged
vet, you will still qualify, although probably in the lowest (8)
priority classification.

So, the VA sent me a letter welcoming me and sent a booklet that is
personalized for what types of services, hospitalization, checkups,
tests, etc. that I am eligible for. In total, I have better
coverage by
far than I had under the Blue Cross policy that we used to pay
$1,400 a
month for. I even have coverage for nursing home expenses and/or
full
time home nursing services if the day ever comes that I need them.

The VA assigned a primary care physician in a VA clinic that is
about 5
miles from my house. I've had three appointments so far, including
full
blood work, colon-rectal cancer tests and other tests to establish a
baseline. The doc spent over an hour with me at the first
appointment
getting background data, etc. BTW ... related to a recent thread
here
... one of the questions was if I had guns in the house and, if so,
are
they secure.

Anyway, the only thing wrong with me is slightly elevated blood
pressure. Doc said it's not "horrible" but prescribed some meds to
get
it a bit lower. I don't like taking meds and I know that once I get
more physically active once the cold and snow stops my BP will drop
but
in the meantime I'll take the meds.

My only out of pocket cost is an $8 co-payment for a 90 day supply of
the pills. If I need to be hospitalized for some reason there is a
$97
per day co-payment for the first 21 days. After that, there is no
payments by me. No co-payments for doc visits, checkups, tests, etc.

The VA is totally independent from Medicare and the VA does not
charge
Medicare for services. I am seriously thinking about dropping Part B
and it's cost and dropping the gap insurance policy I have for Part B
through Tufts. I don't need them if I use the VA for health care
which
will save me about $350 a month.

Bottom line is: The VA isn't a health insurance program. It's a
health
care program. The Boston area VA (which governs the facilities I
use)
is the highest rated VA health car are in the nation. So far, I have
been very impressed.



So, shifting the burden is ok for a Republican, even a wealthy one.
Figures.

Using benefits that the government says I earned is "shifting the
burden" in your eyes? I figured this would **** you off.





No, it just illustrates something else that is wrong with our health
care system. If you suffered a serious battle injury or debilitating
injury while in the service, I see nothing wrong with providing you with
good healthcare at no cost for the recovery, even a lifelong recovery,
for that problem or problems. Why should the VA pay for treatment of
your HBP, especially since any sort of means test would indicate you can
afford to buy private health insurance or pay for a private doctor
without any difficulty.


Truthfully, I always thought you had to have a major service related
disability or be a retired "lifer" in order to qualify for VA health
care. Apparently for many years that was true. However the policy
changed when the VA/TriCare system was reorganized many years ago. The
VA now encourages vets to apply.

There *is* a means test however I still qualify for certain health care
services, more so than I expected. I had a minor, service related
injury however I don't think it factored into what category I was placed
because it is not a disability in any way.

I had two reasons to post about this. One was to let other vets know
who may not realize that they are eligible.

The second reason was because I knew it would **** you off.





It doesn't "**** me off." It just points out yet another inequity in our
health care system.

I agree that our health care system sucks. I've been fortunate to have
been very healthy over the years and have not needed any extensive
health care services. However, I realized something was really screwed
up when I had a routine stress test done a few years ago and the
hospital charged the insurance company $14,000. Made me start thinking
about it.

Hey, you have always been a proponent of "free health care" for
everyone, managed by the federal government, much like the socialist
European countries you so admire.

I am just trying to make your wish come true. :-)





I favor a modified single payer system, not free health care. My nuclear
stress test a few years ago was $4700.

===

Single payer? Well, so much for freedom of choice, apparently not
important to you. This country was founded on the principle of
individual freedoms and it has served well for over 200 years. Why
would you want to muck that up?

On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:58:58 -0400, Keyser Soze
wrote:

In just about any other context, Harry would be complaining about the
"pay for service" model of American health care.


Yet another figment of your imagination. Why would I object to fee for
service?

My bad. I forgot you have a fiscal interest in the fee for service
model. Most of your brethren in the "single payer" camp blame fee for
service as the cause of higher costs (and they may be right). It
incentives unnecessary tests and procedures. They like the UK model
where doctors are salaried workers.,

It's your responsibility to pick the right doctors and other medical
providers. Obviously, you didn't.

You can only choose from what is available and who your insurance has
a contract with. In the case of my wrists they were the highest rated
people in town.

9:36 AMKeyser Söze
On 3/24/17 10:28 AM, Tim wrote:
On Friday, March 24, 2017 at 8:44:53 AM UTC-5, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 7:51 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2017 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:42:59 -0700 (PDT), Tim
- show quoted text -
Apparently you don't know what the term means.
......

Apparently I do Harry. I see you "shifting" here almost daily.

wrote:
On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 10:55:40 -0400, Keyser Söze
wrote:

Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:38 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:35 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 10:15 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 10:03 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/24/2017 9:44 AM, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 7:51 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2017 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:42:59 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

11:39 AMKeyser Soze
- show quoted text -
I'm sure Fretwell will be delighted to serve as your medical
advisor,
and at no co$t either, except perhaps your life.
....
Can't be much worse than the people who get payed well to perform
unnecessary procedures.

In just about any other context, Harry would be complaining about
the
"pay for service" model of American health care. It is amazing
how he
can work both sides of the table so well but I guess it is natural
for
a person who pimps government unions.



A few months ago (at the recommendation of a couple of veteran
friends)
I applied for health care services through the VA. I haven't had a
primary care physician for a while (he unfortunately died at a young
age
of leukemia) so I was basically starting from scratch.

Turns out *all* vets are eligible for health care through the VA as
long
as they served at least 24 months and have an honorable discharge.
There is a means test of sorts but some forms of income are not
considered, nor are your bank accounts and your income only
contributes
to the determination of what priority classification you are eligible
for. There are 8 classifications, 1 being the highest, 8 the lowest.
You could be a multi billionaire but if you are an honorably
discharged
vet, you will still qualify, although probably in the lowest (8)
priority classification.

So, the VA sent me a letter welcoming me and sent a booklet that is
personalized for what types of services, hospitalization, checkups,
tests, etc. that I am eligible for. In total, I have better
coverage by
far than I had under the Blue Cross policy that we used to pay
$1,400 a
month for. I even have coverage for nursing home expenses and/or
full
time home nursing services if the day ever comes that I need them.

The VA assigned a primary care physician in a VA clinic that is
about 5
miles from my house. I've had three appointments so far, including
full
blood work, colon-rectal cancer tests and other tests to establish a
baseline. The doc spent over an hour with me at the first
appointment
getting background data, etc. BTW ... related to a recent thread
here
... one of the questions was if I had guns in the house and, if so,
are
they secure.

Anyway, the only thing wrong with me is slightly elevated blood
pressure. Doc said it's not "horrible" but prescribed some meds to
get
it a bit lower. I don't like taking meds and I know that once I get
more physically active once the cold and snow stops my BP will drop
but
in the meantime I'll take the meds.

My only out of pocket cost is an $8 co-payment for a 90 day supply of
the pills. If I need to be hospitalized for some reason there is a
$97
per day co-payment for the first 21 days. After that, there is no
payments by me. No co-payments for doc visits, checkups, tests, etc.

The VA is totally independent from Medicare and the VA does not
charge
Medicare for services. I am seriously thinking about dropping Part B
and it's cost and dropping the gap insurance policy I have for Part B
through Tufts. I don't need them if I use the VA for health care
which
will save me about $350 a month.

Bottom line is: The VA isn't a health insurance program. It's a
health
care program. The Boston area VA (which governs the facilities I
use)
is the highest rated VA health car are in the nation. So far, I have
been very impressed.



So, shifting the burden is ok for a Republican, even a wealthy one.
Figures.

Using benefits that the government says I earned is "shifting the
burden" in your eyes? I figured this would **** you off.





No, it just illustrates something else that is wrong with our health
care system. If you suffered a serious battle injury or debilitating
injury while in the service, I see nothing wrong with providing you with
good healthcare at no cost for the recovery, even a lifelong recovery,
for that problem or problems. Why should the VA pay for treatment of
your HBP, especially since any sort of means test would indicate you can
afford to buy private health insurance or pay for a private doctor
without any difficulty.


Truthfully, I always thought you had to have a major service related
disability or be a retired "lifer" in order to qualify for VA health
care. Apparently for many years that was true. However the policy
changed when the VA/TriCare system was reorganized many years ago. The
VA now encourages vets to apply.

There *is* a means test however I still qualify for certain health care
services, more so than I expected. I had a minor, service related
injury however I don't think it factored into what category I was placed
because it is not a disability in any way.

I had two reasons to post about this. One was to let other vets know
who may not realize that they are eligible.

The second reason was because I knew it would **** you off.





It doesn't "**** me off." It just points out yet another inequity in our
health care system.

I agree that our health care system sucks. I've been fortunate to have
been very healthy over the years and have not needed any extensive
health care services. However, I realized something was really screwed
up when I had a routine stress test done a few years ago and the
hospital charged the insurance company $14,000. Made me start thinking
about it.

Hey, you have always been a proponent of "free health care" for
everyone, managed by the federal government, much like the socialist
European countries you so admire.

I am just trying to make your wish come true. :-)





I favor a modified single payer system, not free health care. My nuclear
stress test a few years ago was $4700.

===

Single payer? Well, so much for freedom of choice, apparently not
important to you. This country was founded on the principle of
individual freedoms and it has served well for over 200 years. Why
would you want to muck that up?


Medicare is single payer and there is plenty of choice.

--
Posted with my iPhone 7+.

On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 10:35:08 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

Truthfully, I always thought you had to have a major service related
disability or be a retired "lifer" in order to qualify for VA health
care. Apparently for many years that was true. However the policy
changed when the VA/TriCare system was reorganized many years ago. The
VA now encourages vets to apply.

This is just an example of government empire building. Bureaucrats
keep score by how much they can expand their patch. The bigger your
budget, the more money you can make because you swing a bigger
political stick.
I tend to agree with Harry on this. Traditionally these benefits were
for people who were impacted by their service, either from injury or
simply that fact that this was their career and it is part of their
pension benefit.
It is getting ridiculous at a time when the government is drowning in
debt and most of this is entitlements, we need to look a little harder
at who we are giving the money to.
Now I hear they are talking about expanding VA benefits to bad paper
discharges.

The second reason was because I knew it would **** you off.

I guess that makes it all worthwhile ;-)

On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 10:55:40 -0400, Keyser Söze
wrote:

I had a routine stress test done a few years ago and the
hospital charged the insurance company $14,000. Made me start thinking
about it.

My nuclear
stress test a few years ago was $4700.

I guess this was a more involved test than what I got.
They just had me hooked up to an EKG and had me go up and down a
little step box, right there in the office with the little blonde girl
who works for doc running the machine. It was just part of a wellness
physical.
It was essentially the same as the one I did at Georgetown in 1961-2
when they thought I had a heart murmur. (I was in a study)
I wish I had the tape from my test at 13 to compare to me at 70.

On 3/24/17 12:57 PM, justan wrote:
Keyser Soze Wrote in message:
On 3/24/17 10:28 AM, Tim wrote:
On Friday, March 24, 2017 at 8:44:53 AM UTC-5, Keyser Soze wrote:
On 3/24/17 7:51 AM, Mr. Luddite wrote:
On 3/23/2017 2:23 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:42:59 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

11:39 AMKeyser Soze
- show quoted text -
I'm sure Fretwell will be delighted to serve as your medical advisor,
and at no co$t either, except perhaps your life.
....
Can't be much worse than the people who get payed well to perform
unnecessary procedures.

In just about any other context, Harry would be complaining about the
"pay for service" model of American health care. It is amazing how he
can work both sides of the table so well but I guess it is natural for
a person who pimps government unions.



A few months ago (at the recommendation of a couple of veteran friends)
I applied for health care services through the VA. I haven't had a
primary care physician for a while (he unfortunately died at a young age
of leukemia) so I was basically starting from scratch.

Turns out *all* vets are eligible for health care through the VA as long
as they served at least 24 months and have an honorable discharge.
There is a means test of sorts but some forms of income are not
considered, nor are your bank accounts and your income only contributes
to the determination of what priority classification you are eligible
for. There are 8 classifications, 1 being the highest, 8 the lowest.
You could be a multi billionaire but if you are an honorably discharged
vet, you will still qualify, although probably in the lowest (8)
priority classification.

So, the VA sent me a letter welcoming me and sent a booklet that is
personalized for what types of services, hospitalization, checkups,
tests, etc. that I am eligible for. In total, I have better coverage by
far than I had under the Blue Cross policy that we used to pay $1,400 a
month for. I even have coverage for nursing home expenses and/or full
time home nursing services if the day ever comes that I need them.

The VA assigned a primary care physician in a VA clinic that is about 5
miles from my house. I've had three appointments so far, including full
blood work, colon-rectal cancer tests and other tests to establish a
baseline. The doc spent over an hour with me at the first appointment
getting background data, etc. BTW ... related to a recent thread here
... one of the questions was if I had guns in the house and, if so, are
they secure.

Anyway, the only thing wrong with me is slightly elevated blood
pressure. Doc said it's not "horrible" but prescribed some meds to get
it a bit lower. I don't like taking meds and I know that once I get
more physically active once the cold and snow stops my BP will drop but
in the meantime I'll take the meds.

My only out of pocket cost is an $8 co-payment for a 90 day supply of
the pills. If I need to be hospitalized for some reason there is a $97
per day co-payment for the first 21 days. After that, there is no
payments by me. No co-payments for doc visits, checkups, tests, etc.

The VA is totally independent from Medicare and the VA does not charge
Medicare for services. I am seriously thinking about dropping Part B
and it's cost and dropping the gap insurance policy I have for Part B
through Tufts. I don't need them if I use the VA for health care which
will save me about $350 a month.

Bottom line is: The VA isn't a health insurance program. It's a health
care program. The Boston area VA (which governs the facilities I use)
is the highest rated VA health car are in the nation. So far, I have
been very impressed.



So, shifting the burden is ok for a Republican, even a wealthy one.
Figures.

Don't be cynical Harry. Nobody shifted anything and you know it.



Apparently you don't know what the term means.


The burden of taking care of veterans is a privlege real
Americans
are happy to bear. Want to talk about draft dodgers and
tax evaders?


I fully support taking care of vets who suffered injuries or illnesses
that were service-related.

On 3/24/17 12:58 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 24 Mar 2017 10:55:40 -0400, Keyser Söze
wrote:

I had a routine stress test done a few years ago and the
hospital charged the insurance company $14,000. Made me start thinking
about it.

My nuclear
stress test a few years ago was $4700.

I guess this was a more involved test than what I got.
They just had me hooked up to an EKG and had me go up and down a
little step box, right there in the office with the little blonde girl
who works for doc running the machine. It was just part of a wellness
physical.
It was essentially the same as the one I did at Georgetown in 1961-2
when they thought I had a heart murmur. (I was in a study)
I wish I had the tape from my test at 13 to compare to me at 70.


Mine was a colossal pain in the ass. First, I was injected with isotopes
and sat on a torture chair while some sort of radiation reading camera
whirled slowly around me. Then I was up on a treadmill until I was ready
to pass out, died, or completed the test. Then I rested for 30 minutes
and was back up on the chair with the whirling camera. To increase my
anxiety during the treadmill portion, the doc told me ( I was looking
out the window) that he was sure my mother in law was walking down the
medical campus.