Are Hospitals Overcharging?

Are hospitals overcharging patients? 

After my experience with one I'd say yes! Last month I needed to visit a hospital in the state of Georgia due to having excruciating chest pains, and I'm going to give you a play-by-play of what exactly happened. 

I entered the Emergency room and spoke with woman #1 who gave me paperwork and a pen to write down my information, the information was then entered into the computer. This woman then directed me to woman #2 who sat me in a small room and asked me more questions and I'm thinking, "Okay going good so far." 

Then woman #2 lead me to a bed area where I met woman #3, who asked me the same questions that woman #2 asked me. So now I'm thinking, "Couldn't she just pull it up on the computer, because I was just asked these questions?" 

Then woman #4 came in to ask me the same questions again but this time -- with three new questions thrown in. No tests were done on me as yet, just notes taken on paper.

After still being confused over my symptoms the final decision was to give me Maalox, and keep in mind that a bottle of Maalox from the store costs between $5.50 cents and $15.50 cents.

When woman #4 left the room I thought to myself, "How many different faces will I see today?" 

Then the familiar face of woman #3 came back in to give me the Maalox while she added more data to the computer. When woman #3 finished adding her data she stepped out of the room. Woman #5 came into the room with a cart and computer atop it and proceeded to ask me the same questions that I thought had died almost forty-five minutes prior, UGH! 

Then woman #5 left and woman #6 walked in smiling with a pad and pen in her hand and for some reason, I felt this conversation was about to turn my smile upside down.

Woman #6 greeted me with a "hello" and calmly asked me, "How will you pay your bill, in full or monthly payments?" While mulling this over in my head she interrupted my thoughts and asked, "How much money do you gross a month?" After I gave the information to woman #6, she then gave me a price tag of $500 dollars and more paperwork to sign my name on. 

My initial response to woman #6 was, "Whoooaaaa! Five hundred dollars?! For what?!" 

I walked into the ER myself, saw six different people that asked me redundant questions, and I never even saw the doctor whose name is printed on my paperwork. I also received two prescriptions that would run me another $20-$30 dollars.

Woman #3 appeared back in the room and walked over to enter more information in the computer. Apparently, woman #3 was annoyed by my question of, "Why is my bill $500 dollars?" 

She knew she had to give me an answer so she proceeded to explain that emergency room prices, are different from regular admittance prices in which the care is different. 

But I never received a straight answer for a diagnosis because whenever I asked it was always, "I don't know but if the pain comes back, come back and see us." 

Oh yea I'm so sure, I'll come back so I can give more of my money for no answers to my problem?! 

And how can they write prescriptions if they don't even know what's wrong with me? My point is, talking to six different people about the same thing and drinking Maalox shouldn't cost an individual five hundred dollars! With that amount of money my prescription should've been free, I mean hook a sista up! 

Surprisingly, when my hospital bill was mailed to me it wasn't for five hundred dollars, but instead three hundred and seventy-three dollars. I thought to myself, "Why the change in price?" 

Was it because I questioned woman #3 about the bill and it made her nervous? Or was it because I told them that I'm a writer which I'm sure made them even more nervous (smiles). Lucky for them I decided against using the hospital and staff names in this article, and although I still think $373 dollars is a bit to much to pay for a few conversations and Maalox, I'm still glad the price was lowered. 

By the way, the name of the medical billing company is, 'Plantation Billing Center'. I hate that name.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...
 

UPDATE 2/10/08: It turns out I WAS in fact charged more than $373 dollars! I received another bill in the mail for $230 dollars! So all together I have to pay $603 dollars for receiving over the counter Maalox from the emergency room! WHAT A RIP-OFF! This is WAR! 

 

Maybe if there weren't so many people doing the same jobs, it could save the hospital more money as well as the patients.

 

 2009 LA

Are Internet Carriers Rip-offs?

Have you ever wondered why Internet carriers give you the option of choosing between DSL (a faster Internet service) and dial-up? 

Using dial-up Internet is like converting back to using beepers instead of cell phones. Obviously, everyone wants a more efficient service because the slower the Internet is the more you'll hate to use it, and then you'll be stuck paying for a slow service that you barely use.

Does it make sense to offer a low grade product when it isn't good? 

I'm assuming the high grade more expensive product is made more attractive, when you compare it to the low grade version; almost like a mind game. However, I say cut through the bs and give people what they want at an affordable rate. If a person pays twenty dollars for the Internet within a phone and cable bundled package, don't make the Internet service between $60-$70 dollars if we choose to not get the bundled package! That's such a rip-off! If you can give us the Internet for twenty bucks in a bundled package, then you can give us the Internet for twenty bucks without the bundled package, hint Comcast.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

New Devices That Pry Into Your Privacy

Have you heard of the new GPS device called, Car Tracker Pro?

This device can be attached to the bottom of a persons car so if someone is trying to follow you, they can pinpoint exactly where you are at all times. What the hell! This product makes me just as nervous as the other product, where you can eavesdrop on someones conversation just being a few feet away.

Why was this device made let alone sold in stores?

Making it easier for crime to take place isn't cool. Records or some kind of registration should be obtained on every person that purchases this gadget, just in case police need to back track to figure out a crime.

Is this new technology being created to purposely harm Americans?

Pretty soon Americans will long to live in another country, especially if they don't feel safe and fear for their lives in this one. I encourage random checks on your vehicles because nowadays you just never know.

The The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Update on Salmonella Outbreaks

Did you hear about the poisoned peanut butter?

Investigators reported that after inspectors discovered traces of salmonella in batches of peanut butter, that they hid the results and allowed for the peanut butter to be shipped out to stores anyway. Shouldn't  purposely poisoning Americans be a crime?

These poisonous peanut butter plants in the state of Georgia, have had numerous violations for years in which they've never corrected them. Other hazards identified at the plants were dirty equipment, the use of dirty utensils, and a hole in the warehouse where rodents came in. 

If these plants had numerous violations why wasn't this matter ever investigated? 

Where were the authority figures whose job it is to check, that the plants are to be clean at all times? Currently all peanut plants in Georgia are still under investigation, but the culprits that allowed contaminated peanut butter to make its way into retail stores should lose their jobs, and be charged with the crime of killing the people that died as a result of being poisoned.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

Update: Four have been accused in salmonella coverup.

2009 LA

Are Minorities Conditioned by Servitude and Obedience?

If you had it your way would you choose to be an employee, or would you choose to be the boss? 

There are those that are conditioned to work for others, there are those that like working for others, and there are entrepreneurs who'd rather work for themselves.

Slavery in the United States of America, definitely taught black people about servitude and obedience to their owners, so it'd make sense that one would think that in order to survive you'd need to look to your owners for work.

How many times have your parents told you to make sure you get good grades so that you can get a good "government" job? 

Furthermore, parents reinforced getting a government job because of the benefits and unions that come along with it. But how many Black parents actually tell their children to get good grades in school, so that one day they can own their own business? 

Personally, I was never taught that I could be my own boss and now that I'm older and wiser -- I understand why.

People teach what they know about and if your parents didn't know that it was possible to be an entrepreneur, then how could they make their children aware? If parents aren't given the necessary resources to develop this knowledge or if they're not looking for the resources, it'll be difficult to teach your children about it. 

I'm sure many of us have ambition to work for ourselves but when you work 1-2 jobs just to make ends meet, by the time you get home you would have already exerted all of your energy. The last thing you'd want to do is work on a plan for your own business, because you've just dedicated 8 or 12 hours of your life to another persons company.

However, if you are determined and passionate to be your own boss than don't beat yourself up over slow progress due to having other obligations, because every bit of progress helps you get to a next level. Just don't ever give up and eventually you'll achieve your goals.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

Does President Obama Validate the Worthiness of Black People?

On CNN news a modeling agent stated that because we now have our first African American first family, that Black models are sure to find more work than ever before. 

Although I immediately jumped to defense when hearing what this agent had to say, the fact of the matter is that she made sense even if the truth made me angry.

It's been said that 2009 will be the year for Black people because it has never been before, almost like having a Black president suddenly validates the worthiness of Black people.

So if Senator McCain had won the presidency would Black people's worthiness still be non-existent? And why? 

The truth is that Black people have always been worthy, but have never been rightfully acknowledged for being so.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA

Casinos and High Rise Hotels to Hit Georgia

Did you know that the state of Georgia plans to implement high rise hotels and casinos? 

People are losing jobs, funds for educational programs are being cut, and the country is on its way to a Great Depression greater than the first; but the greed continues.

Casinos and high rise hotels will soon adorn the heart of Atlanta, but how are these projects being funded?

Allegedly, one source that's helping to fund this major project is the Georgia lottery division. I guess it makes sense that the Georgia lottery would invest in more gambling opportunities, as a way of increasing their chances of higher revenues. But if the Georgia lottery can help fund a project to increase more gambling, why can't they also help to fund educational programs that are being cut due to the recession?

People need jobs, homes, food, clothes, protection from violent acts, new infrastructure etc. Does it makes sense to promote projects which will further put people in debt? And when this project is completed who ultimately reaps the benefits of all new revenue rolling in? Certainly not the residents of Georgia.

The state of Georgia has laid-off over twenty thousand employees and counting so to put money into a gambling project, instead of a project that helps to put people back to work reeks of sheer selfishness and ignorance.

Yes this project can and will create jobs within the casino/hotel industry, but gambling and domestic jobs taking the place of career type positions isn't necessarily improving economic conditions as most employers have been offering only low wage jobs lately.

I often wonder who were the people running the lottery systems. Maybe I'll do research into that and make it my next article.

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

2009 LA

Tax Fraud by Georgia Corporate Investors?

Home properties are selling for huge prices but smaller tax amounts are being paid. Why? 

In local Georgia news, this has been an ongoing investigation. Por ejemplo: a townhouse in Decatur, Georgia, was sold for $624 thousand dollars, but the tax amount being paid on the home is as if it sold for $75 thousand dollars! Of course the tax payment would be considerably lower on a $75 thousand dollar home, verses a $624 thousand dollar home. 

Another home in Georgia sold for $554 thousand dollars, but taxes are being paid on the home as if it sold for $105 thousand dollars! Does this not strike anyone as odd?

The assessors should investigate the personal investments and the living locations and/or addresses, of family and friends of the people who are in charge of making these huge "so-called" tax mistakes. 

Obviously, I don't believe these are mistakes but I do believe this situation happened due to greed and personal gain, if not directly than definitely indirectly. The value of the homes should be checked along with the actual prices paid.

Kudos to local Georgia news reporters for jumping on this matter. 

The Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm...

2009 LA