jgnat,
I would rate pneumonia as an emergency. If I were in the same situation you were in, I would go to the hospital emergency (same doctors). Expensive to the system, yes, but I would get immediate care. The antibiotics would have been 80% covered by my supplementary plan.
The videos weren't that bad. I am sensitive to the feeling of being a trapped audience. I'd rather read than watch, as I can skip ahead to the interesting bits. I promise any video I link is short, sweet, and interesting, and never more than ten minutes long.
True, but I didn't know how bad off I was when I went to the doctor. My breathing was somewhat raspy, but not bad. As it turned out, my right lung was down to about 10% functionality.
Here is another example: Two years ago on my birthday my son decided to jump off the kitchen table and break his finger (thumb). I did not take him to the emergency room, but rather called the pediatrician. They got me in as soon as I could drive him there - they wanted to check to make sure it wasn't his joint. Xrays were taken, and within the next hour, he was in the office of an orthopedic surgeon where I watched at least 4 Indian doctors argue over the best way to fashion a splint that would fit his little finger (he was only 3 years old at the time). I paid $50 for all the visits combined, plus $35 for the Xrays (both initial and from orthopedic surgeon).
Another example, a better one: My co-worker was bitten by a spider about a year ago. Apperhently it was a nasty bite - it landed him in the ER. When he got his bill he owed about $2000! He called up and talked with thim and said that he was on a high deductible plan. They then reduced his bill to $300. This illustrates the need for the consumer to be engaged with their medical costs.
Alberta doctors collectively negotiate with the Government of Alberta for their set rates. They use the same billing codes as in the US.
Who donates to the campaigns of the politicians these doctors negotiate (by group) with?
MMM
