Medicare Refunds - OzChess

**Hordac** · 11-20-2011, 02:13 PM

How many of us bother to check what and how we are charged for some medical services?

Today my wife had some calcification removed from her left shoulder.Before having this done we checked several places run by the same radiology firm to which we were referred.The prices differed quite dramatically, from $350 at one facility down to $174 at the lowest priced facility. This was for exactly the same procedure.

We chose the cheapest facility - partly due to price, partly due to convienence and partly due to timing.

When we went to pay the bill we were asked what was done and were then going to be charged for two separate procedures!! One for the injections and one for the removal of the calcification using a syringe and under the guidance of an ultrasound.

We questioned this and the staff member very graciouslty decided to check with a superior. Often the only response is a fairly assertive "Im' right and you're wrong" type attitude, so this was apleasant surprise.

The charge was the figure we were originally quoted and the Medicare refund was over half the gap.

Now how can this confusion or lack of knowledge arise? The two ladies who dealt with us had a manual that they consulted to find out what to charge. Doesn't this manual exist for all providers/ If it does, why were we quoted different prices for exactly the same procedure/

There are also other anomalies we have encountered in the Medicare system.

On one occasion a procedure that required an overniht stay in hospital could be billed in one of two ways. The first involved an overnight stay to do the first part of the procedure, followed lgater by a second overnight stay to do the second part.All of this would be covered under medicare.
The second option was to have one night in hospital, have everything over and done with in one go. Cheaper? No way! This would have to be a bill entirely footed by us!! Why/ Because it was regarded as two separae procedures.

Only a drongo could think this is reasonable!!

I suggest everyone checks very thoroughly what they are really supposed to pay for anything medical. Save your pocket and save the Medicare bank balance!!!

**The Seeing** · 11-21-2011, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by Hordac

How many of us bother to check what and how we are charged for some medical services?

Today my wife had some calcification removed from her left shoulder.Before having this done we checked several places run by the same radiology firm to which we were referred.The prices differed quite dramatically, from $350 at one facility down to $174 at the lowest priced facility. This was for exactly the same procedure.

We chose the cheapest facility - partly due to price, partly due to convienence and partly due to timing.

When we went to pay the bill we were asked what was done and were then going to be charged for two separate procedures!! One for the injections and one for the removal of the calcification using a syringe and under the guidance of an ultrasound.

We questioned this and the staff member very graciouslty decided to check with a superior. Often the only response is a fairly assertive "Im' right and you're wrong" type attitude, so this was apleasant surprise.

The charge was the figure we were originally quoted and the Medicare refund was over half the gap.

Now how can this confusion or lack of knowledge arise? The two ladies who dealt with us had a manual that they consulted to find out what to charge. Doesn't this manual exist for all providers/ If it does, why were we quoted different prices for exactly the same procedure/

There are also other anomalies we have encountered in the Medicare system.

On one occasion a procedure that required an overniht stay in hospital could be billed in one of two ways. The first involved an overnight stay to do the first part of the procedure, followed lgater by a second overnight stay to do the second part.All of this would be covered under medicare.
The second option was to have one night in hospital, have everything over and done with in one go. Cheaper? No way! This would have to be a bill entirely footed by us!! Why/ Because it was regarded as two separae procedures.

Only a drongo could think this is reasonable!!

I suggest everyone checks very thoroughly what they are really supposed to pay for anything medical. Save your pocket and save the Medicare bank balance!!!

Hi , where have you been for 2 .5 years ?

In hospitals ?

**antichrist** · 11-21-2011, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by The Seeing

Hi , where have you been for 2 .5 years ?

In hospitals ?

he reakons he has been down at the pub

**Little Black Cat** · 11-21-2011, 08:09 PM

He's been working wood - apparently some months ago...

Medical charges and Medicare refunds. - Woodwork Forums

Maybe he's been making chess pieces?

**- V -** · 11-21-2011, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Little Black Cat

He's been working wood - apparently some months ago...

Medical charges and Medicare refunds. - Woodwork Forums

Maybe he's been making chess pieces?

I dearly hope you're not referring to the sheltered workshop .

11-20-2011, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hordac Down at the Pub Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 26	Medicare Refunds How many of us bother to check what and how we are charged for some medical services? Today my wife had some calcification removed from her left shoulder.Before having this done we checked several places run by the same radiology firm to which we were referred.The prices differed quite dramatically, from $350 at one facility down to $174 at the lowest priced facility. This was for exactly the same procedure. We chose the cheapest facility - partly due to price, partly due to convienence and partly due to timing. When we went to pay the bill we were asked what was done and were then going to be charged for two separate procedures!! One for the injections and one for the removal of the calcification using a syringe and under the guidance of an ultrasound. We questioned this and the staff member very graciouslty decided to check with a superior. Often the only response is a fairly assertive "Im' right and you're wrong" type attitude, so this was apleasant surprise. The charge was the figure we were originally quoted and the Medicare refund was over half the gap. Now how can this confusion or lack of knowledge arise? The two ladies who dealt with us had a manual that they consulted to find out what to charge. Doesn't this manual exist for all providers/ If it does, why were we quoted different prices for exactly the same procedure/ There are also other anomalies we have encountered in the Medicare system. On one occasion a procedure that required an overniht stay in hospital could be billed in one of two ways. The first involved an overnight stay to do the first part of the procedure, followed lgater by a second overnight stay to do the second part.All of this would be covered under medicare. The second option was to have one night in hospital, have everything over and done with in one go. Cheaper? No way! This would have to be a bill entirely footed by us!! Why/ Because it was regarded as two separae procedures. Only a drongo could think this is reasonable!! I suggest everyone checks very thoroughly what they are really supposed to pay for anything medical. Save your pocket and save the Medicare bank balance!!!

11-21-2011, 03:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
The Seeing Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 263	Originally Posted by Hordac How many of us bother to check what and how we are charged for some medical services? Today my wife had some calcification removed from her left shoulder.Before having this done we checked several places run by the same radiology firm to which we were referred.The prices differed quite dramatically, from $350 at one facility down to $174 at the lowest priced facility. This was for exactly the same procedure. We chose the cheapest facility - partly due to price, partly due to convienence and partly due to timing. When we went to pay the bill we were asked what was done and were then going to be charged for two separate procedures!! One for the injections and one for the removal of the calcification using a syringe and under the guidance of an ultrasound. We questioned this and the staff member very graciouslty decided to check with a superior. Often the only response is a fairly assertive "Im' right and you're wrong" type attitude, so this was apleasant surprise. The charge was the figure we were originally quoted and the Medicare refund was over half the gap. Now how can this confusion or lack of knowledge arise? The two ladies who dealt with us had a manual that they consulted to find out what to charge. Doesn't this manual exist for all providers/ If it does, why were we quoted different prices for exactly the same procedure/ There are also other anomalies we have encountered in the Medicare system. On one occasion a procedure that required an overniht stay in hospital could be billed in one of two ways. The first involved an overnight stay to do the first part of the procedure, followed lgater by a second overnight stay to do the second part.All of this would be covered under medicare. The second option was to have one night in hospital, have everything over and done with in one go. Cheaper? No way! This would have to be a bill entirely footed by us!! Why/ Because it was regarded as two separae procedures. Only a drongo could think this is reasonable!! I suggest everyone checks very thoroughly what they are really supposed to pay for anything medical. Save your pocket and save the Medicare bank balance!!! Hi , where have you been for 2 .5 years ? In hospitals ?

11-21-2011, 09:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
antichrist Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Byron Bay, NSW Posts: 2,821	Originally Posted by The Seeing Hi , where have you been for 2 .5 years ? In hospitals ? he reakons he has been down at the pub

11-21-2011, 08:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Little Black Cat Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 54	He's been working wood - apparently some months ago... Medical charges and Medicare refunds. - Woodwork Forums Maybe he's been making chess pieces? __________________ Even a blind chook, pecking at the ground at random, will eventually find food!

11-21-2011, 08:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
- V - De-Programmer Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 492	Originally Posted by Little Black Cat He's been working wood - apparently some months ago... Medical charges and Medicare refunds. - Woodwork Forums Maybe he's been making chess pieces? I dearly hope you're not referring to the sheltered workshop . __________________ "Few have the stomach to pursue truth , yet most know in their gut something is wrong" V *"But everyone knows the media doesn't inform. Duhhhhhh !! "*

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