Patient Disputes Mark Up In Medication

[Swede]

Wow. One night at $58,000.


Jim Bujalski spent one night in the hospital and got a bill for more than $58,000.

"I was surprised at the amount of the bill," Bujalski told CBS4.

Medicare and supplemental insurance covered most of the costs, but there was still a bill of $730. Charges for what the hospital calls "self-administered drugs" - drugs that Bujalski takes regularly at home.


http://cbs4denver.com/recession/hospital.medicine.markup.2.1209196.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. Blimey!

[Posteritatis]

2. At least the hospital's willing to talk to him about it, but still, geeze. (nt)

[Aragorn]

3. does everyone get it now?

$$$$$$$$$$ - the powers involved are willing to sell each other out over HC reform as long as they can keep their share. Cut them all down to size.

[bertman]

4. Rec. This needs exposure. This is why it galls me to hear our representatives talk about

protecting the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. THEY don't need protection. WE NEED PROTECTION from them.

[asjr]

5. My god, did they give him a new body?

[Ikonoklast]

6. He got to take a BMW 5 Series home, his choice of color.

At least he should have.

[hedgehog]

7. "They always talk about how much an item costs on the bill and they

compare it to what's available on the retail. ....

It's not a matter of just what that bill costs and what it costs to provide medical care in the totality",

Our Leaders

St. Anthony Hospital has outstanding leaders who are committed to empowering their associates and fulfilling our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ by caring for those who are ill and by nurturing the health of the people in our communities.


Peter Makowski
Chief Executive Officer, St. Anthony Central Hospital


Todd Folkenberg
Vice President Operations and Chief Business Development Officer


Jodi Chambers, MD
Chief Medical Officer


Kate Bechtold
Vice President Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer


David Thompson
Chief Financial Officer

[hedgehog]

8. He could have saved money staying at an exclusive hotel:

41st Floor Executive + Vacation Penthouse

The Second Highest Residential Condo in the Mile High City!

Ultra Luxury 1bd/2bth, + 2 Balconies. 1,600 sq.ft. + 175 sq.ft double balcony. Spectacular Mountain Views/Sunset!! Only unit with Master Bedroom Fireplace.

- From $1,300/wk. (=$185/nt) (1-2 guests), $3,900 per month.

http://www.brookstowercondosdenver.com/penthouse1bed2bath.html

Or the Hotel Monoco:

Mediterranean Suite with 1 King Bed
This 700 square foot corner suite includes a king bed in the bedroom, plus a queen size sofa sleeper in a separate living room. This suite includes two flat screen televisions, MP3/CD alarm clock, designer bath products, terry cloth animal print robes, and oversized jetted tub in bathroom, to name a few of its plush amenities. Room is non-smoking.

Rate Details 459.00

[Trekologer]

9. Its essentially robbing Peter to pay Paul

Because insurance companies have arranged for hospitals to accept less than the actual cost of providing services plus the cost of providing service to the uninsured, hospitals overcharge for things where and when they can. $50 aspirins and such.