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In reply to the discussion: I had an MRI today... [View all]

GitRDun

(1,846 posts)
24. Here is just one small issue from today...
Wed Nov 14, 2012, 10:42 PM
Nov 2012
Cape Cod Times
By Cynthia Mccormick
November 14, 2008

New state regulations specify that physician-owned day surgery centers will undergo the same review process as hospitals seeking to expand their services.

Regulations passed this week by the state's Public Health Council say physician-run surgery centers have to prove their services won't duplicate or threaten existing programs.

A Cape Cod Healthcare official said that's a good thing, but a hospital lobbyist said the new regulations may be too late to help Cape Cod hospitals competing against lower-cost physician-owned surgery centers.

"These tighter regulations make sense," said David Reilly, spokesman for Cape Cod Healthcare, the parent company of Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals. "We're in favor of anything that would level the playing field."

The new regulations say physician-run surgery centers have to meet the same guidelines as hospitals, which are required to be open 24 hours a day and cannot deny care based on inability to pay, Reilly said.

Officials at Cape Cod Healthcare have been saying that ambulatory surgery centers run by physicians have siphoned off patients, cut into hospital profits and contributed to the fiscal crisis that led the organization to lay off 169 employees this summer.


So outpatient is cheaper, but hospitals fight like crazy to keep these surgery centers from growing in their areas because it eats into there profits. The politicians are helping the hospitals (thanks to the lobbyists) by including duplication regs, EVEN THO hospital based costs are higher!

All of these healthcare issues involve businesses fighting for their very survival in a quickly changing world. We need serious politicians who are not on the take to work through these issues, or it is going to get VERY PAINFUL for all of us. A quick read of this article tells us exactly why it is so damned hard to lower costs.
I had an MRI today... [View all] CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 OP
You have just described the long term issue we face in medicine from a cost perspective GitRDun Nov 2012 #1
You could very well be right... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #4
Here is just one small issue from today... GitRDun Nov 2012 #24
i worry for my children....both in their 30's..... spanone Nov 2012 #2
As I do about mine....in their forties...not to mention my grandchildren ... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #5
So are mine.... Sekhmets Daughter Nov 2012 #32
i hope it will evolve into that...i believe it will.... spanone Nov 2012 #50
I also worry that there are fewer physicians going into Family Practice. likesmountains 52 Nov 2012 #3
It's not a glamorous position at all. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #6
In Alaska very few general practice doctors take new Medicare patients. Blue_In_AK Nov 2012 #7
That is a tough situation, my dear Blue... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #9
out of pocket = zillion dollars Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #8
Not sure I'm following you here... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #11
no, I mean an MRI is a zillion dollars for those without insurance. Glad you have medicare. Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #17
Oh, OK, thanks! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #18
Actually, self pay can be less expensive than the insurance billing code Mika Nov 2012 #19
true. I had blood drawn in prep for surgery. Cost on bill was $2000. Insurance knocked that WAAAY Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #25
That is extremely rare. Ms. Toad Nov 2012 #40
Not usually Sgent Nov 2012 #48
Medicaid not Medicare. lalalu Nov 2012 #10
My husband has been keeping track of this, and he said it's true about Medicare. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #13
There are several doctors in our area (IN) who do not accept new Medicare patients (or Medicaid). anneboleyn Nov 2012 #37
That is very strange. I live in New Jersey and lalalu Nov 2012 #57
It all depends on the area. In metro areas, where there are plenty of MineralMan Nov 2012 #64
That makes sense and explains the differences. lalalu Nov 2012 #65
I'm concerned, too. I'm in my late 50's. Health care cost is the single biggest issue facing me Honeycombe8 Nov 2012 #12
I hear you, my dear Honeycombe8... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #15
worry about doc pay dhol82 Nov 2012 #14
That is my concern too. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #16
In CA? Sekhmets Daughter Nov 2012 #20
Yes, in CA! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #22
Just very fortunate... Sekhmets Daughter Nov 2012 #31
Hands off my Medicare... HipChick Nov 2012 #21
I hope it's there for you too, my dear HipChick! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #23
Paul Ryan wants you to have a $7k voucher, which you'll use to purchase awesome insurance Liberal_in_LA Nov 2012 #26
Ryan can go... HipChick Nov 2012 #35
If the drs are in a high unemployment area where healthcare has fadedrose Nov 2012 #27
I don't think that's the situation here... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #28
Are you OK? glacierbay Nov 2012 #29
My dear glacierbay... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #36
I'm glad you're ok glacierbay Nov 2012 #38
Ouch! That had to hurt. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #42
Oh,man. I wish I were closer... I'd take good care of you. w8liftinglady Nov 2012 #41
Thank you so much! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #44
Both my shoulders are crap.. fadedrose Nov 2012 #43
I'm sorry to hear that. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #45
You mean I'll be able to throw a discus? fadedrose Nov 2012 #47
OWWWWW! Hope they get that fixed! Odin2005 Nov 2012 #59
They can fix it, and they will! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #62
I dunno ... Mme. Defarge Nov 2012 #30
I go to Dr's that work in the hospital system where they treated me as a "charity case" NightWatcher Nov 2012 #33
I posted this on another thread; it applies to this one, too. HeiressofBickworth Nov 2012 #34
fortunately,in 2013-2014 reimbursement for Family Practice docs will increase. w8liftinglady Nov 2012 #39
You Better Be OK... WillyT Nov 2012 #46
Aw......my dear WillyT... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #52
I Pass To You... A Better Joint... WillyT Nov 2012 #53
Omigod! I'd probably be high for a week! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #54
Hey, pass that over here, WillyT Blue_In_AK Nov 2012 #55
MRI you worry about what is in the contrast they infused you with... nahant Nov 2012 #49
Nothing was infused into me... CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #51
+1 lunasun Nov 2012 #56
WOO ALERT! WOO ALERT! Odin2005 Nov 2012 #60
Why would they use any contrast medium in a shoulder MineralMan Nov 2012 #66
I'm on Minnesota's state coverage for the disabled... Odin2005 Nov 2012 #58
I had a brain MRI last week cherish44 Nov 2012 #61
They should have warned you about the noise! CaliforniaPeggy Nov 2012 #63
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