A Dr. in the hospital demanded $50,000 cash to help my friend's

[no_hypocrisy]

92 year old father in the hospital -- and that on top of Medicare and wrap-around insurance he was going to get for services rendered. It was paid.

I heard that this practice is becoming a bit standard but not discussed. What have you heard with regard to this, even remotely?

[beam me up scottie]

1. Cash?

Like under the table cash? Or was this a bill?

[cornermouse]

2. Where are you at?

I've never heard of such a thing. I'd go hunting for a new doctor.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. This was in Livingston, New Jersey.

Yes, cash, like in a suitcase, undeclared revenue from the IRS. That kind of cash.

And it was pure extortion as the family was desperate and there was no time to decide or find another doctor at the time.

I've heard from a couple of other people that their doctors made the same request (extortion).

[beam me up scottie]

5. Extortion is illegal.

The family should take it the the authorities.
They need to do this before he does it to the next patient, possibly with a family unable to pay his "fee".

[rfranklin]

8. Report the asshole to the IRS...

That will cause that doctor to think twice next time.

[beam me up scottie]

10. The IRS could have

what was left of him after the courts got through.
Of course if this is true.
It does smell a little funny...

[Warpy]

4. It's business as usual for elective surgery for the uninsured.

Emergency surgery is done without an up front payment, but if you're uninsured, they'll put liens against your property, garnish your savings and wages, do whatever is necessary to get paid.

My guess is that the age might be a factor, and that surgery might be denied because of it. The more drastic the surgery, the worse the outcome for most folks over 90, even when they're in good shape going in. The insurance company may have denied it on that basis.

I haven't heard about it for standard care, though, unless the family is insisting every life prolonging measure be done and to hell with the quality of life obtained. My advice would be to start asking questions, a lot of questions, about why this is being done this case.

After 90, the treatment that was appropriate at 60 or even 70 might destroy what quality of life a person has for whatever days, weeks, months, or even years are available to him. Find out some details, and PM if you want this sorted out a little more clearly.

[FloridaPat]

6. Sounds like Russia. Looks like we're becoming more and more

like Soviet Russia. Well, at least they had 100% employment. Maybe I can get a job then!

[Horse with no Name]

7. If you look carefully at the Medicare guidelines

You will find that this is illegal. This story stinks to high heaven.
I find it "quite odd" that the sum $50,000 is being used in this example. Maybe it is just me.:shrug:

[Enraged_Ape]

9. Right there with ya

This would be illegal in so many ways it's not even funny. I can't believe that any doctor would jeopardize his career/freedom in this way. They make enough money as it is.

[beam me up scottie]

11. Okay, say this is true.

Even if the doctor was not paid, the hospital still would have provided medical treatment, no?

[knitter4democracy]

12. That's unconscionable and illegal! Report his ass!!!

That's something to immediately report to the Dept of Health and Human Services, State Medical Board, the State Medical Society, the local AMA chapter, and CMMS all in writing. Then, have the family go to the media (they'll love the story of a crooked doc).

Chances are, the State Medical Board already knows this guy--he probably wanted cash for drugs (you wouldn't believe how many docs out there are serious druggies).

I wouldn't stop until he got his license revoked and had every single Medicare case reviewed and former Medicare patient contacted. My husband is a hard-working internist who loves to take care of his patients--it sickened him when I told him of this. It makes everyone look bad.

[Last Lemming]

13. Doesn't sound right

if you want to change somebody's life, notify the state's medical board It's not difficult, just look up New Jersey Board of medical Licensure. Report the problem in detail Tell them you are going to discuss it with local news teams but you wanted to let them know about this first in case they wanted to address it sooner rather than later

Then go to local news.

This, however, doesn't really pass the hinky test, as the cops would say

[tech3149]

14. Livingston????

It might be a couple of years, but I don't remember any "real" hospitals in Livingston. St Mary's in Orange? Beth Israel? I'm sorry if this repsonse sound's bit cold. You didn't provide any details on how the situation came about, but it might have been possible to have him sent to a capable hospital. I've worked in most of the hospitals in NJ and I'd consider 70% of them to be worth trusting with my parents life. As far as the Dr, hang him out to dry. Any vampire who's willing to profit from the hardship of another gets no sympathy from me.

[no_hypocrisy]

15. St. Barnabas.

The hospital was fine. The doctor sucks.

BTW, my friend's father still died.

[tech3149]

16. Sorry

One of the few that I didn't do any work for. Send my condolences, I only wish all Dr's were as honorable as those I worked with. We'll all have to face this situation, but that doesn't make it any easier.

[Andromeda]

17. Jeez, this infuriates me...

They never talk about this much but it does happen.

Where did this happen? No wonder they don't discuss it -- it's extortion.

[no_hypocrisy]

18. Livingston, New Jersey. St. Barnabas Hospital.

My friend's father was on the ICU. The nurses surreptiously advised the famiy that there was a "super bug" going around the ward (the ICU where patients with the most vulnerable immune systems are compelled to stay) and they couldn't control it. The doctor told the family that their father wouldn't survive. The family wasn't in denial; it's just that their father had defied medical science by being hale within a week of admission and always had great health.

Anyway, the choice was let nature take its course and let Dad die -- or the doctor could be heroic and do a procedure (I don't know what it was). The daughter as medical power of attorney was frenzied with anxiety and guilt if she didn't do everything to save her father. So she quickly borrowed the money, gave it to the doctor, and the father died anyway. The saddest part was his son was the last person to visit him. His father had been unconscious, woke up, smiled at him, and made kissing/lip pursing gestures at him. Two hours later he died.