Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: my night in the hospital shows why we need universal health care [View all]pediatricmedic
(397 posts)65. We are lucky to collect 30 cents for each dollar billed
So that is part of the problem and an explanation for why prices are so high. We are a nonprofit with a lot of charity work as well, so the for profits may be a little different. In general, I would say prices are currently inflated by about 300% to 400% above what they should be.
The costs for people that don't pay DO get passed on to those that can pay. That is the reason for the huge markup in prices.
Obamacare was supposed to even things out and make it a little more fair for everyone. Can you guess what didn't happen?
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
98 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
my night in the hospital shows why we need universal health care [View all]
backwoodsbob
Jan 2013
OP
Nurses. Doctors. Lab work. Administrative. Maintenance. Security. Housekeeping. Technicians.
geckosfeet
Jan 2013
#33
I agree. The insurance industry is simply an arm of the investment industry.
geckosfeet
Jan 2013
#95
No massive profit for me, but state of the art care for my tiny little patients
tavalon
Jan 2013
#96
As someone who lacks insurance and has for over four years now I'm pretty attuned to this subject
Fumesucker
Jan 2013
#68
Your insurance has negotiated a rate with the hospital and it is unlikely they will
cbayer
Jan 2013
#5
Hospital charges are generally 3 times or more what they actually get from payers.
cbayer
Jan 2013
#17
An office visit and 2 lab tests resulting that she didn't have influenza A or B
spiderpig
Jan 2013
#14
My sister has had to have surgery without insurance, she was able to negotiate with the hospital to
PATXgirl
Jan 2013
#43
Hey, we pay extra for 24/7 card guards, plus billing coder armies, and PROFITS!
Festivito
Jan 2013
#28
Answer: Risk Managers making decisions about "care" in order to keep staffing low & volume high. nt
patrice
Jan 2013
#29
There's a little known provision in the PATIENT PROTECTION & Affordable Care Act of 2010, a.k.a.
patrice
Jan 2013
#74
I'd love to turn a set of forensic accountants loose on any hospital's books -
hedgehog
Jan 2013
#53
And yet, the self proclaimed, "Greatest Country on Earth" right next door, has the worlds most
RC
Jan 2013
#61
Exactly. THAT is the problem with medical pricing. I know of doctors who charge a lot of money
Lint Head
Jan 2013
#62
They are building the "Backwooods Bob Pneumonia Pavillion and Conference Center"?
FarCenter
Jan 2013
#79