An example of what's wrong with our current health care system:

[hedgehog]

So, I have a C-Pap machine, but I had to go back in to get a new face mask and I told the therapist the chin strap she gave me wasn't working. Without the chin strap, my mouth falls open when I'm asleep and the cpap doesn't work.

So, she gives me a new chin strap, but warns me I might have to pay for it if the insurance doesn't, and that it costs $65. I'm pretty desperate, so I take the chin strap.

When I get home, here is what I got for $65:

1- latex free elastic strip 3" wide with velcro on one end
2- 1" elastic strips with velcro to hold the main strap in place.


Now, for the real fun part - my insurance did pay for this, but they have a side deal with the provider, so they paid a grand total of $15. I'll grant that for latex free material , maybe $15 is the right price; I don't know.

But, if I didn't have good insurance, I would have in essence paid a $50 fine to the health care provider.

[Lars39]

1. I've got insurance and still have to pay the difference on durable medical

goods. :(

[cbayer]

2. There is precedent for only paying what the insurance company would have paid.

I have used this successfully. You can find tables that list what medicare will pay for equipment, visits and procedures in your area. I simply pay what they would pay and include a note as to why I am sending the reduced amount. So far, no one has tried to get the rest out of me.

:hi:

[damntexdem]

3. Years ago when they charged $10 for chin straps, my insurance refused to pay it.

That is after they spent over $1000 for the machine. That experience gave me the excuse I wanted to stop using the damn machine.

[dysfunctional press]

4. go have something, ANYTHING done in a hospital without insurance...

and then look at the bill, and compare it with a bill for the same procedure for someone WITH insurance.

un-insured people have to pay retail, but insurance companies can get it for you wholesale.

[CurtEastPoint]

5. Yep: Appendectory, $29K retail. Cigna paid $5600.

If you don't have insurance, you're f***ed.

[Bonhomme Richard]

6. Trust me that the manufacturer of the strap is making........

a good profit at $15.00..