NMMC doing something right

[rutrow]

cpurdon said:

ANY study can be flawed. In fact, I saw on tv the other night a news item claiming the US government actually has two sets of books - one made public and the other kept private. The private one, according to the report, painted a much more gloomy picture of our nation's financial health than the public one. And no, Bush didn't create the second set of books but he does use them. The study didn't say how long this has been going on.

Yeah, I read of this some time ago. It included state governments as well as the federal.

[crazyjane]

Mrs Granny, You need to call around to some major insurance companies and let them give you some figures. I am pretty sure, their figures would be more accurate than a self promotional facility such as NMMC's would be. One insurance company said that our 20% out of pocket expenses at NMMC is as large as the 80% insurance pays at other hospitals elsewhere.

[TF Admin]

CJ, the only thing I see that could be a problem with what you are syaing is that the Insurance companies are just as bad if not worse than the actual helathcare provider. Their lobbyists are VERY strong on both the state and federal level. They demand the best deal from the hospital's/healthcare provider and the longest terms, all the while, inching up those premiums to grab as much money out of the other side of the deal.

I'm trying to find the story where the former Insurance CEO spills all the beans about how it works, and why most health insurance companies, who rely on businesses and people to buy their coverage, LOATHE them.

TF

[crazyjane]

That is true TF, what I'm saying is a friend of mine's (who works for an insurance company) husband was to have a couple of tests run. She was informed that one of the test would be $800 at NMMC and $300 at New Albany. With the cost of both tests, the 80% the insurance company would pay New Albany hospital is about the same as the 20% she would pay NMMC. She was told they were only going to pay NMMC 80% of the average charge and she would either have to pay the remander herself or go to another facility. Most insurance compainies have a list of the average costs of services with Drs, hospitals and medical services in the United States. I have heard more than one insurance companies say NMMC charged more than the average cost on many services.
Sure insurance companies are in the "get rich quick" scheme, too and they know they can go along with the hospital and stick us with the bill. We have to pay premiums no matter, but when we worry about the 20%, we have a choice.

[rutrow]

admin said:

I'm trying to find the story where the former Insurance CEO spills all the beans about how it works, and why most health insurance companies, who rely on businesses and people to buy their coverage, LOATHE them.
TF

If you are saying that the insurance companies loathe the people, I believe you are correct. It is because they want something for nothing and they loathe us for them having to pay out of all that they rake in from us. Sick people eat up their profits even though they promised to pay out when we get sick.

[kontan]

If at all avoidable we will not be using NMMC again...HORRIBLE experiences the last 3 times we have had to visit the emergency room. As some know my husband injured both arms at the beginning of this year. The story here: www.kontansplace.com/2006/01/03/fuming-bc-of-nmmc/

While cleaning up their mess one comments about how the floor needed a good mopping anyway, saying it was now the cleanest it had been in a while. Not amusing.

The care from that end was terrible. When we had to return for surgery it was not as bad, but still...I have a lot of experiences with hospitals and this is one of the worst.

[Pontotocmom]

Last Wednesday, I went with my daughter to Healty Start for her prenatal check up. Her blood pressure was high so we were sent to the Woman's clinic so they could observe her. While there, I started to feel bad. I started sweating and I was hot. I called her husband to come and sit with her and called my husband to come and get me. She was released a few minutes later. My husbad met us and took me to the backdoor (where the ambulances come in) of the hospital. He snagged a doctor, I was rushed right in and was in surgery within 20 minutes. I had a heart attack. I'm 43 so no I didn't think I was having one when I first started to hurt. They were super nice. I was put in ICU and someone came in all night. And since they couldn't knock me out (I'm allergic to most of the pain medication) they would talk with me. Thursday rolled around and they put me in a regular room .We had some worries on my heart rate it was way too high. Blood pressure was good though. My diabetes was raging. And I was telling them they all needed to hurry up and get me out. I had 5 kids at home, my 17 year old was watching two 7 year olds and an 8 year old with the help of my 16 year old son and one of her friends. My other daughter was 9 months pregnant and wouldn't leave the hospital, and my other daughter was calling constantly from Florida wanting to know if she needed to come home. Friday rolled around and my oldest went into labor. Dr.Estess and Dr.Hill released me to go to the womans clinic. Two hours later I had a beautiful granddaughter. (I also got to watch the birth AMAZING) So NMMC did something right! They fixed me to be with my first grandchild. Thank you!

[rutrow]

I am glad that you are fixed and getting better Pontotocmom. Did you have any symptoms of heart attack before the big symptom? Did you kind of have any feelings that something was not quite right in your body?

Also, Congratulations on the new grandkid! ;D

[TF Admin]

Thank goodness you're alright Pontotocmom! Congrats on that new new grandbaby. Take care.

TF

[King Rat]

Sounds like you've really had a memorable week, PM. Glad to hear you were well taken care of and congrats on the new grandchild. I have two and they are a blast. I tried to post this message yesterday but never could get the board to load.

[granny2young]

something drastic has changed at NMMC. I saw on TV where the ER had no more wait and the new director had made things better. I was skeptical, until last week. My mother had a small stroke. From the ER to the floor everyone, even the cleaning people were wonderful!

I also read in that article (2 or 3 days ago in DJournal, article called a night in the ER I think) where it said that no paper work would be done before treatment, other than your name, allergies, etc. because people got the impression they were interested in the money instead of your health, so now the drs and staff have no idea of your ability to pay until after the fact. I love the new system. This new guy is really making a change for the good.

[Pontotocmom]

Thank you. No I didn't have a lot of symptoms before hand. Just some tingling in both hands. And since I'm a diabetic I get that anyway. granny you are right they never asked about insurance or anything. Matter of fact they never even brought anything in for us to sign after the fact either. Not even when we went to leave. King Rat, I'm enjoying my granddaughter. She is so sweet. Thanks TF and Rutrow!