(Snippets from the frontline)
Learning a lesson
Here is the dilemma: Medicare patient has chest pain and calls 911. Ambulance transports patient to the emergency room and a diagnosis of gastroenteritis is made. Patient is discharged home. Four weeks later, the patient receives a bill for $1000 from the ambulance company. Why? Since the patient was not admitted, it was deemed not an emergency. Is this reasonable?
Here is the threat: Medicare patient has chest pain. Afraid to call 911. Fear of receiving a mega ambulance bill has replaced fear of dying. Medicare patient now has second thoughts seeking medical help. It happens every day.
The next threat: In some regions, a well-known insurance company denies payment in similar circumstances if THEY deem it not an emergency.
Why should patients self-diagnose chest pain or any other symptom? How dangerous is this to the elder senior population, as well as the general public?
The lesson: Before you get sick, get an M.D. degree.
That sounds reasonable.
Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D.
It is not just the 911 call it is the cost of the ER. I had chest pains on my way home from work. Very panicked made my way to the ER. After a 5 hour visit to the ER I was Discharge. I felt silly because it most have been gas or something. I paid my $250 co-pay, but within a few weeks started receiving bills for the event.
Questions? Had I been admitted would the charges be different. Next time i will go to urgent care not ER.