About 1 in 100 breast cancer cases are men

[jinman]

Some of us are old enough to remember when it was that way everywhere. Doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies gave you a bill or receipt, and you paid it. It was up to you to file with your insurance company if you had insurance.

Bird, I'm sure the cash-flow was far superior back when you paid the bill up front (or maybe not if you had to pay over time). Today, I'm shocked at how long it takes Medicare to issue a check to hospitals, doctors, and clinics. The surgery and hospital stay I had back in August are just being paid by Medicare, and Tricare supplement comes after that. Of course, when they pay, they do it in a single check, so that helps. Even so, there is a long wait to get paid and it ties up lots and lots of funds. If you get your payments before 90 days, you are rare, indeed.

Back in 1997, I was voluntarily unemployed and trying to clean up my father's estate while avoiding lawsuits that could have cost us everything. I had a wart start growing rapidly in my right eyebrow and irritating me to no end with it's constant itching. I was seeing a doctor on a cash basis and he sent me on a consult to a plastic surgeon. The doctor's appt cost me $75 and I was really a bit worried about the plastic surgeon since he was in plush offices. I sat in his waiting room listening to all the women talking about their augmentations, tucks, nose jobs, etc. and just knew I was gonna get soaked. The doctor took me to his exam room and had about 5 students there observing. He removed the wart while showing them his technique for leaving no scar or gap in my eyebrow.

Before the surgery, I had been told that I would have to make a $385 payment. I thought that would surely just be a down
payment. About a week after the surgery, the doctor's nurse called me to tell me the lab had said the wart was nothing more that just a wart. I asked about additional cost and she said there were none since I had paid cash. Wow! I've always thought that the doctor gave me a break. Everything was done in his office and took very little time. It was one of the best experiences I ever had with a doctor. The coolest part was that itching wart was gone and I no longer looked like Quasimodo.

 

[blueriver]

Bird, I'm sure the cash-flow was far superior back when you paid the bill up front (or maybe not if you had to pay over time). Today, I'm shocked at how long it takes Medicare to issue a check to hospitals, doctors, and clinics. The surgery and hospital stay I had back in August are just being paid by Medicare, and Tricare supplement comes after that. Of course, when they pay, they do it in a single check, so that helps. Even so, there is a long wait to get paid and it ties up lots and lots of funds. If you get your payments before 90 days, you are rare, indeed. Back in 1997, I was voluntarily unemployed and trying to clean up my father's estate while avoiding lawsuits that could have cost us everything. I had a wart start growing rapidly in my right eyebrow and irritating me to no end with it's constant itching. I was seeing a doctor on a cash basis and he sent me on a consult to a plastic surgeon. The doctor's appt cost me $75 and I was really a bit worried about the plastic surgeon since he was in plush offices. I sat in his waiting room listening to all the women talking about their augmentations, tucks, nose jobs, etc. and just knew I was gonna get soaked. The doctor took me to his exam room and had about 5 students there observing. He removed the wart while showing them his technique for leaving no scar or gap in my eyebrow. Before the surgery, I had been told that I would have to make a $385 payment. I thought that would surely just be a down payment. About a week after the surgery, the doctor's nurse called me to tell me the lab had said the wart was nothing more that just a wart. I asked about additional cost and she said there were none since I had paid cash. Wow! I've always thought that the doctor gave me a break. Everything was done in his office and took very little time. It was one of the best experiences I ever had with a doctor. The coolest part was that itching wart was gone and I no longer looked like Quasimodo.

Back in the day when we didn't have insurance Cher had a similar situation .. I called for the dr appointment and advised them because of the cost estimated to be about $350 could I make payment arrangements .. Visited the dr and in about 10 minutes the simple procedure was complete as I was leaving the the receptionist asked if I could take care of the bill .. I explained I had called ahead and made arrangements .. She said .. Oh hon because u don't have insurance it's only $35 ... Makes u wonder

 

[Bird]

I'm sure the cash-flow was far superior back when you paid the bill up front

That's sure true. In the 60s, we had Blue Cross/Blue Shield, $100 deductible and then 80/20%. And when I sent a bill or receipt to Blue Cross, I got a check within 2 weeks. Then the city changed to another company, same coverage exactly, but it normally took 3 weeks to get paid. And so many employees complained that the city changed companies again. Now we, and the doctors, would think 3 weeks would be great.

 

[Western]

I have spoken with a couple of doctors who will no longer take the medicaid ect tra, said the paperwork is to consuming just to wait 6 months for payment, if they get what they even charge. BUT if the Doctor over charges, the "Guvmnet" starts calling and demanding payment within a week and they will add penalties and interest!! Obummer Care will likely enhance the frustration, paperwork and payback.

On another note, They showed a few cancer patience on Fox 4 (DFW local) that had lost their insurance, but to stay alive with the cancer meds, it would cost one lady 100K a year!!!! To me that is the major problem (pharmaceutical Co), Who can afford that?? They said also that the two largest money makers where 1 Oil and Gas, 2 Pharmaceutical Companies.

I( could almost agree if the US did our own research for meds and made that "subsidized" and scrap OCare.

Sorry Jim, Hope you're feeling better, kind of a drury day, but bet you're ponds are benefiting from it.

 

[Western]

I have spoken with a couple of doctors who will no longer take the medicaid ect tra, said the paperwork is to consuming just to wait 6 months for payment, if they get what they even charge. BUT if the Doctor over charges, the "Guvmnet" starts calling and demanding payment within a week and they will add penalties and interest!! Obummer Care will likely enhance the frustration, paperwork and payback.

On another note, They showed a few cancer patience on Fox 4 (DFW local) that had lost their insurance, but to stay alive with the cancer meds, it would cost one lady 100K a year!!!! To me that is the major problem (pharmaceutical Co), Who can afford that?? They said also that the two largest money makers where 1 Oil and Gas, 2 Pharmaceutical Companies.

I( could almost agree if the US did our own research for meds and made that "subsidized" and scrap OCare.

Sorry Jim, Hope you're feeling better, kind of a drury day, but bet you're ponds are benefiting from it.

 

[jinman]

On another note, They showed a few cancer patience on Fox 4 (DFW local) that had lost their insurance, but to stay alive with the cancer meds, it would cost one lady 100K a year!!!! To me that is the major problem (pharmaceutical Co), Who can afford that?? They said also that the two largest money makers where 1 Oil and Gas, 2 Pharmaceutical Companies.

Dennis, I saw that same story. It seems to me that the lady was guilty of not carrying supplemental Medicare coverage. When her medications got so expensive, her out of pocket was huge, and she could not afford it. You will rarely get "the rest of the story" since Paul Harvey passed away. I thought the most telling part of that story didn't have anything to do with profits, but rather the comparisons of what drugs cost in various countries. I don't believe it is right for anyone to die in this country because they can't pay for meds when someone in another country lives because the meds are 1/3 the price or less. That's just nuts. However, people invest in pharmaceutical and oil companies because they make big profits. Profits are the motive of individuals and retirement plans that support our 401k plans and many mutual funds. When I look for an investment, I never look for a company that has little profit and big charitable giving. I don't know anyone who does.

When I go to my oncology clinic, if you took away all the Medicare patients, you'd have an almost empty big room with an echo. If you want to make money, you find a way to work within the limits of Medicare and its supplemental plans. Otherwise, you just lop off 75% of your patients and income. People over 65 are a huge portion of the medical customer base in this country. I am welcomed with open arms everywhere I go. Now, if I were looking for a face-lift or tummy tuck, I might have to reach for my checkbook, but vanity is not one of my bigger ego-driven motives.

 

[Western]

Jim, I agree, no one should have to forgo needed life saving medications because of $$.

As far as investors, I can see you're point, but at "what point" does human welfare trump the almighty $$. I guess that is a stupid question.

That is the reason I could tolerate our government in the pharmacy business (if they could keep it at just that). If we spent the trillions wasted the last several years on R&D and production, we could lower med cost. JMO

 

[dave1949]

The government is involved with the price of pharmaceuticals, and always has been most likely.
Issue Brief - Medicare Drug Negotiation and Rebates

No negotiation for Medicare drug prices came about with the "donut hole" Part D legislation during the GW Bush term, and they have been playing with it ever since.

 

[Western]

The government is involved with the price of pharmaceuticals, and always has been most likely.
Issue Brief - Medicare Drug Negotiation and Rebates

No negotiation for Medicare drug prices came about with the "donut hole" Part D legislation during the GW Bush term, and they have been playing with it ever since.

IOH Dave I know that!! but playing for the wrong team!!

 

[dave1949]

IOH Dave I know that!! but playing for the wrong team!!

LOL I get a rundown every year about the cost of Mom's prescriptions, new generic drugs, the donut hole, Medicare supplemental insurance, yada yada yada :laughing:

Most unfortunately, I have to start actually paying attention soon. I'll turn 65 in May. How sad is that, comparing Medicare costs with my Mom? Noooooo :laughing: