![]() |
|
April 27th, 2010
12:09 PM ET
Surgical equipment price a shockerBy Sabriya Rice, CNN Medical News producer When Dr. Linda Galloway learned she needed surgery to save her vision, she scheduled the procedure immediately with her ophthalmologist. What an eye-opener it was when the hospital bill arrived. She noticed several high-priced items, including a charge of $863.20 for disposable forceps. "Surgical instruments can be expensive but I think $863.20 is really outside of the realm of realistic prices," she complains. Then Galloway, an obstetrician in Orlando, Florida went online and found similar forceps for $1,155 for a box of six, or $192 each. "I was outraged. I tried to get an explanation as to why I was charged that amount of money," she said. When she called the billing department, the answer upset her even more. "They said when you signed consent for the procedure, you allowed us to charge anything we wanted to and therefore, this is what it is," she recalls. Galloway says she was especially upset because with her insurance plan, she has to pay 20 percent of her medical bill and if the hospital is going address her as a consumer, then she wants them to level the playing field. "I need to be in power to do things. If you're going to charge me this amount of money, then I need to know exactly what instruments you're going to use and what medications you're going to use. Because I can then buy them outside and bring them to the hospital." Florida Hospital, the place where Linda had her surgery says their charges are fair and compatible with other hospitals. "Like all other hospitals across the country, [Florida Hospital] bases charges on a charge master that serves as a guide,” a spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail. She says that an independent contractor compares Florida Hospital’s charges with those of other hospitals and that the results show “we are in the mid-range in that pricing structure." But is markup of more than four times the market rate really reasonable? According to the American Hospital Association, the prices increases are necessary. “A hospital is a very expensive enterprise to keep open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and ready for any medical need or emergency. And that does lay out a basic level of cost that has to be captured through the charge structures," says Rich Umbdenstock, president of the AHA. Umbdenstock says that hospitals have to compensate for programs such as Medicare and Medicaid that traditionally underpay, and that each hospital has to set prices in a way that helps their bottom line. "The hospital has to be able to bring in more money than it spends or else it won't be there for the next patient.” Editor's Note: Medical news is a popular but sensitive subject rooted in science. We receive many comments on this blog each day; not all are posted. Our hope is that much will be learned from the sharing of useful information and personal experiences based on the medical and health topics of the blog. We encourage you to focus your comments on those medical and health topics and we appreciate your input. Thank you for your participation. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
tadalafil research powder https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
Excellent post. I'm experiencing some of these issues as well..
http://footballzaa.com/out.php?url=http://gambling2elliotxfbo537.theglensecret.com/15-up-and-coming-saseoltoto-bloggers-you-need-to-watch
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it's driving me crazy so any support
is very much appreciated.
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
After looking at a handful of the blog posts on your web page, I honestly appreciate your way of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well and tell me how you feel.
https://www.bookmark-tango.win/the-worst-advice-you-could-ever-get-about-meogtwi
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you so much, However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I donít know why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
https://acrelinux.stream/wiki/Is_definitely_Betting_Really_Harmful
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I really believed you'd have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could possibly fix if you weren't too busy looking for attention.
https://myemotion.faith/wiki/A_Comparison_Between_Gambling_and_Horse_Racing
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Many thanks, However I am having issues with your RSS.
I don't understand why I cannot join it. Is there anybody
having identical RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanx!!
How can I keep up with posts made on the Blogspot websites?
https://twitter.com/katekdesigns
Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo
News? I've been trying for a while but I never seem to
get there! Thanks
Good day! I could have sworn Iíve been to this web site before but after looking at some of the articles I realized itís new to me. Anyways, Iím certainly happy I stumbled upon it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
http://bbs.dnmso.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=448386
I blog quite often and I genuinely appreciate your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I'm going to book mark your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.
https://gumtreeads.com/user/profile/352217
I would like to remove the blogger and designer links on the attribution bar at the bottom of a blogger page. I know its not good to remove it and usually i don't, but this is a page for a business so it needs to look clean and profesisonal..
https://twitter.com/katekdesigns
How to rotate my blog posts over and over with a preset time interval with PHP code?
https://www.instagram.com/katekdesigns
Your style is so unique compared to other people I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this blog.
http://i-m-a-d-e.org/qa/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=airwater9
Can you access a computer from the iPod touch without installing anything onto the computer?
https://www.instagram.com/katekdesigns
I'd like to thank you for the efforts you've put in writing this site. I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own site now 😉
https://www.bravobookmarks.win/12-steps-to-finding-the-perfect-meogtwigeomjeung-18
You've made some decent points there. I looked on the net to find out more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
http://abroadsanjal.com/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=stormgauge90
Excellent post. I definitely love this website. Keep writing!
https://www.ted.com/profiles/27039431
tadalafil research powder https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!
http://www.cptool.com/details/?url=https://k-anma.com/pohang/
This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate infoÖ Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!
http://www.coolen-pluijm.nl//cookies/?url=http://baccarat0felixcidx125.almoheet-travel.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-totosaiteu
Awesome! Its really amazing paragraph, I have got
much clear idea about from this paragraph.
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet people, its really really pleasant post on building up new webpage.|
http://b3.zcubes.com/v.aspx?mid=6939409
Hi there! I could have sworn Iíve visited this blog before but after browsing through some of the articles I realized itís new to me. Anyways, Iím certainly delighted I came across it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
https://artsacca.com/user/profile/25654
Excellent write-up. I definitely love this website. Keep writing!
http://massage3maetteixuy.iamarrows.com/5-things-everyone-gets-wrong-about-pohangchuljangmasaji
Excellent post. I absolutely love this website. Keep it up!
http://redrice-co.com/page/jump.php?url=http://codyqyru126.jigsy.com/entries/general/your-worst-nightmare-about-EBA994EC9DB4ECA080EC82ACEC9DB4ED8AB8-come-to-life
This is a topic that's near to my heart... Thank you! Where are your contact details though?
https://ug-plast.ru/forum/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=922967
Very good information. Lucky me I ran across your site by chance (stumbleupon). I've book marked it for later!
http://www.gallery-ryna.net/jump.php?url=https://k-anma.com/
Good information. Lucky me I ran across your website by accident (stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!
http://massage1uponceranh.wpsuo.com/8-effective-chuljang-elevator-pitches
That is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate informationÖ Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
https://storage.athlinks.com/logout.aspx?returnurl=https://blogfreely.net/massage5k5cccvc496/h2-marma-therapy-what-is-marma-therapy-h2-an-ayurvedic-massage-is
Saved as a favorite, I like your web site!
http://www.hbbbs.cc/home.php?mod=space&uid=183488
I read this post fully regarding the comparison of newest and previous technologies, it's
amazing article.
This site truly has all of the info I wanted about this subject and didnít know who to ask.
http://www.adaxes.com/questions/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=seatriver51
You have made some decent points there. I looked on the net for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
http://essabre-90xx-rpi.sfb2.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=66284
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
http://aigolek.balabaqshasy.kz/user/casino9j3qwihr179
sildenafil cheap no prescription https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this site.
https://hubpages.com/@casino8j5rvxbv545
Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover someone that actually understands what they are talking about over the internet. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. It's surprising you aren't more popular since you most certainly possess the gift.
https://teedinzone.com/webboard/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=71934
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this web site needs far more attention. Iíll probably be back again to see more, thanks for the info!
https://www.bookmarking-fox.win/meogtwigeomjeungsaiteu-all-the-stats-facts-and-data-you-ll-ever-need-to-know-8
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be exciting to read articles from other writers and practice a little something from their websites.
https://www.treasury.gov/cgi-bin/redirect.cgi/?https://www.openlearning.com/u/sofajute45/blog/TexasMaintainEmCashGameGuidelines
hydroxychloroquine 200 mg high https://www.pharmaceptica.com/
Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who hopes to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want toÖHaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject which has been discussed for ages. Wonderful stuff, just great!
https://www.cnet.com/profiles/casino0a8ritcv048/
Excellent blog you have here.. Itís difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
http://courses.cs.tau.ac.il/0368-3458/forum/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=seederberry0
This website truly has all the info I wanted about this subject and didnít know who to ask.
https://iway.rosemont.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Campus_Groups/Organization_of_African_American_Students/Home.jnz?portlet=Discussion_Board&screen=PostView&screenType=change&id=3d2e12ca-8744-48ef-a51c-cd279311fd0e
I was able to find good advice from your blog articles.
http://searchamateur.com/myplayzone/?url=http://massage7ambiocvnds.timeforchangecounselling.com/15-hilarious-videos-about-chuljangmasaji
Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
http://balpyk-bi.mektebi.kz/user/casino0o2gujnb566
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and the rest of the website is really good.
http://avtopark.lv/user/casino0i0nbavv955
I love it when people get together and share ideas. Great site, keep it up!
https://dribbble.com/theorycanada92
The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, however I actually thought you would probably have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you weren't too busy seeking attention.
http://qa.rudnik.mobi/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=casino5l1voowa213