Pete's BLOG-Day 26,412. Steve H and his back problem bill

Today is Tuesday, March 12, 2013. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the ball and 60 minutes of walking = 3.3 miles for a March total of 26.0 miles. My weight was 162.6 pounds.

QUOTE from Jim Doyne: "Today when Grandma sits at a spinning wheel, chances are she's at a casino."

My THOUGHTS  today are about the medical bills of Steve H. (in his 30s),  a blue collar worker in Oklahoma City. Steve had back problems and was told a stimulator would have to be implanted in his back - and it could be done in a day. Steve didn't ask how much the stimulator would cost because he had $45,181 remaining on the $60,000 annual payout limit his union-sponsored health insurance plan imposed. Steve figured how much could a day at Mercy cost, five thousand? Maybe 10?
Steve's day at Mercy contained all the usual and customary overcharges.
- MARKER SKIN REG TIP RULER FOR $3. That's the marking pen to mark his back
where the incision was to go.
- STRIP OR TABLE 8 x 27 IN for $31. That's the strip to hold Steve to the opersting table.
- BLNKT WARM UPPER BDY for $32. That's the blanket to keep surgery patients warm.
- GOWN SURG ULTRA XLG  for  $39, for the gown the surgeon wore.
- In all, Steve's bill for these basic medical and surgical supplies was $7,882.
- But the real biggie was the stimulator for $49,237.
- His total bill was $86,951. His insurance paid $45,000 and he was left with over $40,000.

This is another sad story of the wonderful health care system in America.