Hello everyone. I went to see the surgeon. I was hoping he would say I did not need the surgery that there was something else that could fix my vision. It did not work out that way. Let me start from the beginning. We arrived and their computer systems were down and they were way behind because they were handwriting all the patient information and passing paper between stations instead of just accessing the patients chart on the computers.
The tests were very extensive and thorough. When the doctor looked into my eyes and tested them on the machine he had in the room he said that I definitely needed surgery on both eyes. He talked to me about my daily activities, and what I liked doing. He went over each lens choice and said he did not think the more expensive lenses would help me because I had used a prism so long. He recommended the non-corrective lenses. I might not need the prism after the surgery but he thinks there is a chance I will. He also thinks I may need readers but that my other vision well be good.
We had been there three hours when we had one more stop. The finance guy. He had already put the information through Medicare. He gave us print outs for each eye. He showed us the cost. I had roughly figured $880 for my 20% co pay. His figures broke it down to each person involved, the operating center, and the drugs. Everyone got a separate cut. My cost total came to $842.24
The operation takes 10 to 15 minutes for each eye. The surgeon gets 984.99 per eye for a total of $1,969.98. The facility gets $1,158.15 per eye for a total of $2316.30. I pay $842.24 for a total of 5,128.52 which is for maybe up to 30 minutes work if each eye takes the maximum time of 15 minutes. I realize the doctor is a super professional doing a job most people can’t do. I realize the surgical center which is in their building is also a professional medical operating room so has to meet certain requirements. Still I think the cost is a lot of profit. I am reading over the statement and in each case they charged the maximum that Medicare would pay plus my 20%.
I am one of the lucky ones. I have Medicare. We have enough in savings to pay for the co-pay. But what about those who don’t have insurance and are working several jobs with no medical care. What about the poor people who depend on Medicaid but are soon going to lose it? Do they just slowly go blind with no hope? We need medical care in this country. We need universal medical coverage. Every study has shown, even the one done by the conservative heritage foundation study showed it is cheaper with better results to have single payer government universal care. As Bernie says, the US is the only wealthy country on earth not to give the people living here health coverage. It is a human right. Hugs
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