Check out these true Monty Python-esque dialogues between a series of hospitals and a guy who wants an affordable colonoscopy. First dialogue:
Conversation with Stanford Hospital:
Me:
My wife needs a colonoscopy: Could you give me a price on it?
Stanford Hospital: (businesslike tone)
Twenty five hundred to thirty five hundred.
Me:
You do this all the time. Can’t you give me a
specific price?Stanford Hospital: (cooler tone)
Sorry
Me:
Is $3500 the all up, all included price to both
myself and my insurance?Stanford Hospital: (businesslike tone)
It only includes the doctors fee, and does not include any additional services
Me:
So after I have this done, any number of people could then charge me any fee they like in addition to the thirty five hundred?
Stanford Hospital: (distinctly chilly tone)
I am afraid so.
Read the whole thing.
READER COMMENTS
ringemann
May 28 2008 at 1:10pm
hey, care to listen to the european version of this dialoque. it goes like this:
Me:
My wife needs a colonoscopy. Can you give me an appointment.
Hospital:
Yes….(searching)…Ok, the next open slot will be in x week(s) (x = 1-2 Germany,France….4 in Britain)
Me: Ok! What do I have to pay?
Hospital:
ehhhh….Pardon?
Me: just joking…
liberty
May 28 2008 at 5:07pm
Or you have the European version that goes like this:
Me: I think I need an MRI.
Hospital: I’m sorry, your paperwork says you don’t. Only those with conditions 13-24 can have an MRI.
Me: But, I would certainly get one in the U.S. …
Hospital: This isn’t the US.
Me: Can I pay extra and get an MRI?
Hospital: If you go to the US you probably could.
John Thacker
May 28 2008 at 6:16pm
ringemann:
Huh? In France and Germany (the ones with the lower waiting times) there definitely are out of pocket payments. Lower than the US, to be sure, but you will get a bill and owe money.
From a guide to new arrivals in Germany:
John Thacker
May 28 2008 at 6:18pm
The above link, BTW, is mostly aimed at Brits (and perhaps Canadians) who will be shocked at having to pay money (and quite a lot by their standards) at state hospitals and having to carry healthy insurance (but enjoy the lack of waiting lists), not Americans.
Actually, I guess it might also be aimed at badly misinformed Americans like ringemann too.
Comments are closed.