I spent 2 1/2 hours at the ER two Saturdays ago, after doing an unintentional split-lunge on the stairs at out apartment. I NEVER saw a doctor, only a PA. And I barely saw him, perhaps 10 minutes total.
For that, insurance paid over $1700. Included in that is a plaster splint and 5 ACE bandages, plus some of that batting stuff they wrap the leg in before applying a cast. Also included was a nurse who could not accurately read blood pressure, and another who acted like a space cadet. Not included was $350 for X-rays, and $9 for ONE 7.5/500 Lortab(a pill that costs about 20 cents).
And we wonder why people can't afford health insurance. We fret about access to health care. Yet we allow healthcare facilities to charge these ridiculous amounts. It's absurd.
By the way, as a side note, a 25 minute office visit with a podiatrist and a moon boot cost $553, so the hospital isn't the only culprit here. Just the most egregious.
