OT: Hurricanes Lounge XXXIX, Yeah, I get that.

[Negan4Coach]

Comparing Russian cops to us cops is funny.

Like we don't quite have the rosguardia, and we don't kill a theater full of hostages to kill a handful of terrorists

To be fair- I don't think people realized how deadly Fentanyl was back then, the Russians included. But the theatre thing was a masterpiece of military strategy compared to the Beslan school debacle.

Not sure what the Russians have to do with this...other than @MrazeksVengeance baseline obsession with them

 

[Sens1Canes2]

Jeopardy contestant former Canes cheerleader.

Second w $1

She seemed a little overwhelmed. Props for *almost* getting Final Jeopardy tho. She was the only one who was close.

 

[tarheelhockey]

That sounds like a whole bunch of hooey. They all went out on camera and beat a guy eventually to death because one of them was stalking his ex’s bf? They all threw their careers and lives away over that? Not seeing it.

It could even be true that there's a connection through FedEx. That might be a strange coincidence in Raleigh, but we're talking about Memphis. There are 30,000 FedEx employees in that city. That's more than the number of state employees in the Triangle.

She seemed a little overwhelmed. Props for *almost* getting Final Jeopardy tho. She was the only one who was close.

Also needs to be noted how hard it is to get on Jeopardy at all. It's not like one of those game shows where they just take goofballs who will say funny stuff to the host. You have to be ass-kicking good at trivia to get behind one of those podiums.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

It could even be true that there's a connection through FedEx. That might be a strange coincidence in Raleigh, but we're talking about Memphis. There are 30,000 FedEx employees in that city. That's more than the number of state employees in the Triangle.



Also needs to be noted how hard it is to get on Jeopardy at all. It's not like one of those game shows where they just take goofballs who will say funny stuff to the host. You have to be ass-kicking good at trivia to get behind one of those podiums.

Oh no doubt.

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

Comparing Russian cops to us cops is funny.

Like we don't quite have the rosguardia, and we don't kill a theater full of hostages to kill a handful of terrorists

Not what I was going for. The number #1 place is in how divided a country can be opinionwise without a state of civil war.

Borsig, honestly my hatred for that country is barely contained within the Terms and Rules.

AND TRUST ME. I AM GOOD AT HATRED.

(@DaveG hating on a country/government/Z ideology, not ethnicity, still legal)

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

To be fair- I don't think people realized how deadly Fentanyl was back then, the Russians included. But the theatre thing was a masterpiece of military strategy compared to the Beslan school debacle.

Not sure what the Russians have to do with this...other than @MrazeksVengeance baseline obsession with them

With Russia, not Russians in some broad stroke of brush. There is a difference.
And it’s hate, not obsession.

And I am still vanilla compared to generic Pole/Estonian/Lithunian/Latvian.

 

[hockeynjune]

She seemed a little overwhelmed. Props for *almost* getting Final Jeopardy tho. She was the only one who was close.

She got in the game at the end. I think she would have been better with a do over

 

[LostInaLostWorld]

She seemed a little overwhelmed. Props for *almost* getting Final Jeopardy tho. She was the only one who was close.

I thought it was the guy in the middle that wrote "pass".

 

[MinJaBen]

I thought it was the guy in the middle that wrote "pass".

No, it was definitely her.

 

[LostInaLostWorld]

No, it was definitely her.

Oops, you are correct sir.

 

[Borsig]

Not what I was going for. The number #1 place is in how divided a country can be opinionwise without a state of civil war.

Borsig, honestly my hatred for that country is barely contained within the Terms and Rules.

AND TRUST ME. I AM GOOD AT HATRED.

(@DaveG hating on a country/government/Z ideology, not ethnicity, still legal)

My grandparents left Germany in 47. Oma was born in Ukraine and her parnts fled when she was a little kid.

How do you think I feel about them?

I mean, I want there to be police reforms, but think about the 2nd and 3rd order effects of the end of Qualified Immunity. George Soros immediately funds an unlimited budget legal office that automatically sues each and every officer who uses force in the line of duty, bringing all major PDs to their knees. Doesn't matter if they win- all they need to do is wear out the individual cops and mire them in legal fees.

You mean like the ATF / FBI does?

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

How do you think I feel about them?

Understandably.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

My turn to vent about a 1st world problem. I absolutely hate how the medical/insurance billing works in this country. I have decent insurance (a high deductible HSA), but trying to find out what a procedure will cost is impossible.

Example 1: My wife got major knee surgery a few years back. Before the list, I asked what it was going to cost me out of pocket. Nobody could give me an answer. I then asked for an itemized list of all the costs and what was covered and what wasn't. Again, nobody could answer. The Dr. had his fee, the hospital had multiple fees (OR, recovery, nurses), the anesthesiologist had their fee, etc.. etc.. In the end, she's going into surgery and he really didn't know what it would cost us in the end. We got a number of bills and paid them. then 3 months later, we get a partial refund as we paid too much.

Example 2: My adult kid needed to renew a prescription for an inhaler. Dr. said that he couldn't do it over the phone as he hadn't seen the kid in 2 years so the adult kid needed to set up an annual exam. Kid does so and annual exams are covered for free. We get a bill as the Dr. incorrectly coded it as an "office visit". I argued with the billing person and tried to escalate..but to no avail, they weren't changing the code.

My insurance provider changed to a different provider, but same plan (high deductible HSA).

Today: I schedule an annual exam with a dermatologist back in Nov. They said the earliest appointment was May. I asked if there were any sooner appointments as there was a spot on my arm I had concerns about. The found an earlier slot. I specifically asked: "Will this cover both looking at the spot and my annual preventative exam?" They said yes.

Today, I show up, Dr. comes in, looks at the spot, takes a sample for a biopsy and says "When you check-out, make sure you set up the appointment for your annual exam." I explained this was supposed to be an annual exam and she says it wasn't scheduled that way. From the time I entered the exam room until I left, 5 min. When checking out, I have a bill for $360 for this visit (plus there will be a lab fee for the biopsy as well). The woman looks the computer and says "Oh, I see the mistake the person made in schedule it, I'm so sorry. Best we can do is September for an annual exam."

Frustrated but understanding mistakes happen, I ask what the cost will be for the annual exam. She says she can't tell me as it will be between $77 and $193 depending how they "code" it. For instance, if they have to do a biopsy, it will be at the higher end of that range. I ask how come my 5 min. biopsy cost $360 today then? "Because it was coded as an office visit". I asked if she could give me a description of each code for the annual exam. Nope.

I would switch but when I looked at other providers in the network, they either weren't accepting new patients or the wait time was even longer. I'm not sure any other place is any better although I'll keep looking.

Ugh....I hate how the medical / insurance / billing works in this country.

 

[MinJaBen]

My turn to vent about a 1st world problem. I absolutely hate how the medical/insurance billing works in this country. I have decent insurance (a high deductible HSA), but trying to find out what a procedure will cost is impossible.

Example 1: My wife got major knee surgery a few years back. Before the list, I asked what it was going to cost me out of pocket. Nobody could give me an answer. I then asked for an itemized list of all the costs and what was covered and what wasn't. Again, nobody could answer. The Dr. had his fee, the hospital had multiple fees (OR, recovery, nurses), the anesthesiologist had their fee, etc.. etc.. In the end, she's going into surgery and he really didn't know what it would cost us in the end. We got a number of bills and paid them. then 3 months later, we get a partial refund as we paid too much.

Example 2: My adult kid needed to renew a prescription for an inhaler. Dr. said that he couldn't do it over the phone as he hadn't seen the kid in 2 years so the adult kid needed to set up an annual exam. Kid does so and annual exams are covered for free. We get a bill as the Dr. incorrectly coded it as an "office visit". I argued with the billing person and tried to escalate..but to no avail, they weren't changing the code.

My insurance provider changed to a different provider, but same plan (high deductible HSA).

Today: I schedule an annual exam with a dermatologist back in Nov. They said the earliest appointment was May. I asked if there were any sooner appointments as there was a spot on my arm I had concerns about. The found an earlier slot. I specifically asked: "Will this cover both looking at the spot and my annual preventative exam?" They said yes.

Today, I show up, Dr. comes in, looks at the spot, takes a sample for a biopsy and says "When you check-out, make sure you set up the appointment for your annual exam." I explained this was supposed to be an annual exam and she says it wasn't scheduled that way. From the time I entered the exam room until I left, 5 min. When checking out, I have a bill for $360 for this visit (plus there will be a lab fee for the biopsy as well). The woman looks the computer and says "Oh, I see the mistake the person made in schedule it, I'm so sorry. Best we can do is September for an annual exam."

Frustrated but understanding mistakes happen, I ask what the cost will be for the annual exam. She says she can't tell me as it will be between $77 and $193 depending how they "code" it. For instance, if they have to do a biopsy, it will be at the higher end of that range. I ask how come my 5 min. biopsy cost $360 today then? "Because it was coded as an office visit". I asked if she could give me a description of each code for the annual exam. Nope.

I would switch but when I looked at other providers in the network, they either weren't accepting new patients or the wait time was even longer. I'm not sure any other place is any better although I'll keep looking.

Ugh....I hate how the medical / insurance / billing works in this country.

I feel your pain. Our family has been in this boat far too many times. Just this past week my wife had to go in for her annual visit with her pulmonologist. A week prior to the visit we received an estimated cost statement from Duke that a blood gas test she has had routinely for several years now would now cost us over $2k out of pocket, that's after BlueCross pays out over $10K. Needles to say, we declined that lab. At the visit, the doctor was furious as it was an error in their EMR/coding system and the lab should only cost about $500 and our out of pocket would be about $90...maybe. So we have to reschedule that lab for another time in a couple of months.

And not to make light of yours (and others) situations, but wasn't one of the biggest reasons we were told we can't have more socialized medicine like Britain or Canada was because in the USA we don't like the three month wait-times they have in Canada to see a doctor? Lol.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I feel your pain. Our family has been in this boat far too many times.

Yeah, based on past posts, I know what I go through is tiny compared to your wife's situation.

Another aspect to this. I needed a prescription for a medicine and the Dr. sent it to one of the local chain drug stores, as that's who my insurance provider requests. I get the notification that my medication is ready for $67 OOP with a retail price of $370..

For kicks, I check good Rx and it's $99 through GoodRx at this pharmacy. Yet, at Walmart, the same medication through GoodRx is $23 and a retail price of $215. At Costco, the GoodRX price is $26 based on a Retail price of $76. At Food Lion Pharmacy, the GoodRX price is $24 with a retail price of $441.

 

[bleedgreen]

I had the high deductible plan through work for a few years. It was a great deal because they gave us a significant chunk of money along with it to be used before we paid out of pocket towards the deductible, and we would also hit the deductible with less cost to us because of this. They used that incentive to steer us towards that plan because it was better for them. If you didnt spend the money it just sat in an account slowly building year to year. I found myself never going to the Dr because I didn’t want to touch it, one time I just paid cash for stitches to avoid using it. When I did I ran into the same issues about coding and a lack of transparency and accountability. I went back to full Cadillac plan with copays. I generally know what’s coming if it’s a straight forward visit.

 

[The Stranger]

My turn to vent about a 1st world problem. I absolutely hate how the medical/insurance billing works in this country. I have decent insurance (a high deductible HSA), but trying to find out what a procedure will cost is impossible.

Example 1: My wife got major knee surgery a few years back. Before the list, I asked what it was going to cost me out of pocket. Nobody could give me an answer. I then asked for an itemized list of all the costs and what was covered and what wasn't. Again, nobody could answer. The Dr. had his fee, the hospital had multiple fees (OR, recovery, nurses), the anesthesiologist had their fee, etc.. etc.. In the end, she's going into surgery and he really didn't know what it would cost us in the end. We got a number of bills and paid them. then 3 months later, we get a partial refund as we paid too much.

Example 2: My adult kid needed to renew a prescription for an inhaler. Dr. said that he couldn't do it over the phone as he hadn't seen the kid in 2 years so the adult kid needed to set up an annual exam. Kid does so and annual exams are covered for free. We get a bill as the Dr. incorrectly coded it as an "office visit". I argued with the billing person and tried to escalate..but to no avail, they weren't changing the code.

My insurance provider changed to a different provider, but same plan (high deductible HSA).

Today: I schedule an annual exam with a dermatologist back in Nov. They said the earliest appointment was May. I asked if there were any sooner appointments as there was a spot on my arm I had concerns about. The found an earlier slot. I specifically asked: "Will this cover both looking at the spot and my annual preventative exam?" They said yes.

Today, I show up, Dr. comes in, looks at the spot, takes a sample for a biopsy and says "When you check-out, make sure you set up the appointment for your annual exam." I explained this was supposed to be an annual exam and she says it wasn't scheduled that way. From the time I entered the exam room until I left, 5 min. When checking out, I have a bill for $360 for this visit (plus there will be a lab fee for the biopsy as well). The woman looks the computer and says "Oh, I see the mistake the person made in schedule it, I'm so sorry. Best we can do is September for an annual exam."

Frustrated but understanding mistakes happen, I ask what the cost will be for the annual exam. She says she can't tell me as it will be between $77 and $193 depending how they "code" it. For instance, if they have to do a biopsy, it will be at the higher end of that range. I ask how come my 5 min. biopsy cost $360 today then? "Because it was coded as an office visit". I asked if she could give me a description of each code for the annual exam. Nope.

I would switch but when I looked at other providers in the network, they either weren't accepting new patients or the wait time was even longer. I'm not sure any other place is any better although I'll keep looking.

Ugh....I hate how the medical / insurance / billing works in this country.

There's an out-of-pocket model with complete pricing transparency. This Oklahoma Surgery Center for example:

Procedures Archive - Surgery Center of Oklahoma

surgerycenterok.com

I hope this model catches on and spreads. My anecdote involves getting a full blood panel. Every year for my physical I have to ask for the full panel as opposed to the cost-reduced panel with a bunch of important markers removed...and I have to explain that I will pay out of pocket for what insurance doesn't cover. And I then see the full bill (inclusive of what insurances and I pay together) which always far exceeds the amount I would pay out of pocket with a direct to consumer service (which I've also used in the past and know the pricing).

 

[The Stranger]

I had the high deductible plan through work for a few years. It was a great deal because they gave us a significant chunk of money along with it to be used before we paid out of pocket towards the deductible, and we would also hit the deductible with less cost to us because of this. They used that incentive to steer us towards that plan because it was better for them. If you didnt spend the money it just sat in an account slowly building year to year. I found myself never going to the Dr because I didn’t want to touch it, one time I just paid cash for stitches to avoid using it. When I did I ran into the same issues about coding and a lack of transparency and accountability. I went back to full Cadillac plan with copays. I generally know what’s coming if it’s a straight forward visit.

HSA's are the most tax-advantaged account available. Money goes in tax free, you can invest the money and it grows tax free, and finally it comes out tax-free.

Sticking with that plan, letting the money build and grow is a nice option provided the billing/code/deducible issue could be resolved.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

BBA, I won’t quote the entire post - but a good friend of mine does the “church insurance” thing where everyone pays a little when someone needs a procedure - and it’s CRAZY how much cheaper it is when you say “cash.” That alone should lead anyone who sees the need to reform to plow ahead with their work.

There are tradeoffs for everything. In Canada, specifically Ottawa, if you’re looking for a primary care Dr right now, well … there are none. It’s like Jerry looking to rent an apartment in Tuscany … expect Mr Cheecio doesn’t own one anymore.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Time to get on the Medical Tourism train. I hear that Czechia is one of the top 10 destinations, so maybe @MrazeksVengeance can help with that.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

BBA, I won’t quote the entire post - but a good friend of mine does the “church insurance” thing where everyone pays a little when someone needs a procedure - and it’s CRAZY how much cheaper it is when you say “cash.” That alone should lead anyone who sees the need to reform to plow ahead with their work.

There are tradeoffs for everything. In Canada, specifically Ottawa, if you’re looking for a primary care Dr right now, well … there are none. It’s like Jerry looking to rent an apartment in Tuscany … expect Mr Cheecio doesn’t own one anymore.

A friend of mine did that as well, I think it's called medi-share? or something like that. They liked it at first, but there was one procedure (can't remember exactly, but it wasn't exotic), that they struggled to get covered. Was a major hassle and they ended up with a much bigger bill than they had expected, so they changed after that battle. I don't remember the specifics on it though. There's no nirvana, but I agree with you on paying "cash" would make a difference.

 

[LostInaLostWorld]

A friend of mine did that as well, I think it's called medi-share? or something like that. They liked it at first, but there was one procedure (can't remember exactly, but it wasn't exotic), that they struggled to get covered. Was a major hassle and they ended up with a much bigger bill than they had expected, so they changed after that battle. I don't remember the specifics on it though. There's no nirvana, but I agree with you on paying "cash" would make a difference.

Same here. Friend had it. Wife blew out her shoulder and it was a major hassle covering what the ortho wanted to do - surgery and rehab. Ended up paying mostly out of pocket.

 

[LakeLivin]

My turn to vent about a 1st world problem. I absolutely hate how the medical/insurance billing works in this country. I have decent insurance (a high deductible HSA), but trying to find out what a procedure will cost is impossible.

Example 1: My wife got major knee surgery a few years back. Before the list, I asked what it was going to cost me out of pocket. Nobody could give me an answer. I then asked for an itemized list of all the costs and what was covered and what wasn't. Again, nobody could answer. The Dr. had his fee, the hospital had multiple fees (OR, recovery, nurses), the anesthesiologist had their fee, etc.. etc.. In the end, she's going into surgery and he really didn't know what it would cost us in the end. We got a number of bills and paid them. then 3 months later, we get a partial refund as we paid too much.

Example 2: My adult kid needed to renew a prescription for an inhaler. Dr. said that he couldn't do it over the phone as he hadn't seen the kid in 2 years so the adult kid needed to set up an annual exam. Kid does so and annual exams are covered for free. We get a bill as the Dr. incorrectly coded it as an "office visit". I argued with the billing person and tried to escalate..but to no avail, they weren't changing the code.

My insurance provider changed to a different provider, but same plan (high deductible HSA).

Today: I schedule an annual exam with a dermatologist back in Nov. They said the earliest appointment was May. I asked if there were any sooner appointments as there was a spot on my arm I had concerns about. The found an earlier slot. I specifically asked: "Will this cover both looking at the spot and my annual preventative exam?" They said yes.

Today, I show up, Dr. comes in, looks at the spot, takes a sample for a biopsy and says "When you check-out, make sure you set up the appointment for your annual exam." I explained this was supposed to be an annual exam and she says it wasn't scheduled that way. From the time I entered the exam room until I left, 5 min. When checking out, I have a bill for $360 for this visit (plus there will be a lab fee for the biopsy as well). The woman looks the computer and says "Oh, I see the mistake the person made in schedule it, I'm so sorry. Best we can do is September for an annual exam."

Frustrated but understanding mistakes happen, I ask what the cost will be for the annual exam. She says she can't tell me as it will be between $77 and $193 depending how they "code" it. For instance, if they have to do a biopsy, it will be at the higher end of that range. I ask how come my 5 min. biopsy cost $360 today then? "Because it was coded as an office visit". I asked if she could give me a description of each code for the annual exam. Nope.

I would switch but when I looked at other providers in the network, they either weren't accepting new patients or the wait time was even longer. I'm not sure any other place is any better although I'll keep looking.

Ugh....I hate how the medical / insurance / billing works in this country.

Yeah, earliest I could schedule an appointment with a dermatologist was 3.5 months out. Told them it was for a general check up but I do have several spots that concern me. Maybe I should call them back and see if that info might get me moved up a bit; if so I'll stress that I'd like the visit to also include general exam.

Earliest appt for a dentist that's in-network for my insurance was 2.5 months.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Yeah, earliest I could schedule an appointment with a dermatologist was 3.5 months out. Told them it was for a general check up but I do have several spots that concern me. Maybe I should call them back and see if that info might get me moved up a bit; if so I'll stress that I'd like the visit to also include general exam.

Earliest appt for a dentist that's in-network for my insurance was 2.5 months.

yeah, I noticed across the board, "general" exams get long lead times but other "office visits, which they charge more for, get priority.

I've just gotten in the habit of scheduling my 6 month dentist immediately after my current appointment is done. Same goes with my annual doctors exam, just schedule it a year out when my current exam is completed.

 

[LakeLivin]

Yeah, based on past posts, I know what I go through is tiny compared to your wife's situation.

Another aspect to this. I needed a prescription for a medicine and the Dr. sent it to one of the local chain drug stores, as that's who my insurance provider requests. I get the notification that my medication is ready for $67 OOP with a retail price of $370..

For kicks, I check good Rx and it's $99 through GoodRx at this pharmacy. Yet, at Walmart, the same medication through GoodRx is $23 and a retail price of $215. At Costco, the GoodRX price is $26 based on a Retail price of $76. At Food Lion Pharmacy, the GoodRX price is $24 with a retail price of $441.

Did you check out Mark Cuban's new initiative? I haven't looked into it in much detail but it sounds like it could be revolutionary.

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company

Radically transparent, low cost versions of high cost generic drugs.

www.markcubancostplusdrugcompany.com