Healthcare costs

[pomtzu]

Well I'm not griping now, I don't even want to know what my recent stunt would have cost me, I'm kaiser so I never see the bill.

You would probably need to be resuscitated..........

[Grace]

Have any of you ever gone through one of those statements with a fine tooth comb?

I had a large bill after my Laminectomy years ago. We had insurance, but I disputed a couple of charges, that I knew were incorrect. The hospital removed them from the bill.

What things cost these days is disgusting. Anyone else a diabetic? The cost of the strips for checking my glucose is insane. You can get a meter for nothing - because the money is in the strips. The place I get strips bills Medicare $100 for 100 strips. Medicare only pays about 55-60% of that amount - so my other insurance pays the rest. The worst part - I can go to Amazon.com and buy 100 strips for less than the 55% Medicare pays. What a rip-off!!

What is more egregious, in my mind, is that since I am a non-insulin diabetic I am only allowed one strip per day. I spent my life in the medical field, so I know how important it is to my future health to maintain tight control on my diabetes now. And that involves testing several times a day.

[Edwina's Secretary]

What things cost these days is disgusting. Anyone else a diabetic? The cost of the strips for checking my glucose is insane. You can get a meter for nothing - because the money is in the strips. The place I get strips bills Medicare $100 for 100 strips. Medicare only pays about 55-60% of that amount - so my other insurance pays the rest. The worst part - I can go to Amazon.com and buy 100 strips for less than the 55% Medicare pays. What a rip-off!!

And if you could buy those strips in one of those countries ...such as Canada...they would probably be even cheaper!

Insurance companies want to insure those who are healthy. That is how they make money. Every claim they must pay is an expense they don't want.

And so those who cannot afford health insurance wait until they are REALLY sick before making that trip to the emergency room -- costing those with insuarance (and medicaid/medicare) even more as more advance treatment is needed.

We ALL pay the price of medical care - directly or indirectly. To me the issue it to make it more equitable and less wasteful.

[Puckstop31]

We ALL pay the price of medical care - directly or indirectly. To me the issue it to make it more equitable and less wasteful.

I agree 100%. Which I was I find your advocacy of a government run, single payer system... odd.


Lets see... Income Tax system, neither equal or low waste... Medicare/cade, the healthcare systems curerntly run by Big Brother... DEFINATLEY not efficient and not equal. That one I know, I worked in the PA system for 2 LONG years.

ANYthing other than a health care plan run by the government. Regulate/subsidize the private system...

[pomtzu]

And if you could buy those strips in one of those countries ...such as Canada...they would probably be even cheaper!

Why can't you get them from Canada? I have gotten prescriptions from there in the past and saved a bundle.
This Spring my doctor prescribed a nasal spray for my pollen allergies. Cost at Sam's was $112 per month, but I could get it thru Canadian pharmacies at $62 for 3 months. What's wrong with that picture??? In the end I chose not to get either, since over the counter Benadryl works just as well for me.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Why can't you get them from Canada? I have gotten prescriptions from there in the past and saved a bundle.
This Spring my doctor prescribed a nasal spray for my pollen allergies. Cost at Sam's was $112 per month, but I could get it thru Canadian pharmacies at $62 for 3 months. What's wrong with that picture??? In the end I chose not to get either, since over the counter Benadryl works just as well for me.

My understanding is there are legal issues for US citizens to buy drugs from Canada.

[pomtzu]

My understanding is there are legal issues for US citizens to buy drugs from Canada.

I've heard that the government is, or was, trying to make it illegal, but so far they haven't been able to do it. If U.S. pricing was anywhere in line with the Canadian prices, then people wouldn't have to buy out of the country. If Canada can sell it so cheaply, then why can't the U.S. - or perhaps I should say why won't the U.S.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I've heard that the government is, or was, trying to make it illegal, but so far they haven't been able to do it. If U.S. pricing was anywhere in line with the Canadian prices, then people wouldn't have to buy out of the country. If Canada can sell it so cheaply, then why can't the U.S. - or perhaps I should say why won't the U.S.

The drug companies have a VERY strong lobby....just like the insurance companies....

[Grace]

Well, well, well - I just went to Canada Drugs online and I can buy 100 strips for $51.90 - that's even less than at Amazon.

I think I shall call my Congressman's office once again and ask about the great variation in prices.

On the subject of buying drugs from Canada - we have been buying Frontline, an anti flea and other assorted bugs product, for our cats from Canada for several years. It is a non-prescription item there, takes just about 2 weeks from order to delivery, and it cost just over half of the amount our Vet charges. And, yes, it is the very same stuff - made by Pfizer.