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Jan. 10th, 2011 02:08 pmA recent email from my insurance company divulged this information (estimates only, they hasten to add, in a footnote) as an incentive to get us to make sure we use in-network providers.
In network/Out of network
Doctor visit
$18/$96
Colonoscopy
$870/$2,388
Five-day hospital stay
$1,750/$19,750
I can't think of any word to describe that last, especially, other than "outrageous". If the hospital can afford to sell that service to the insurer at the in-network rate, what possible justification can there be for charging a different patient more than ten times as much for THE SAME SERVICE?
IMO, we are rapidly approaching the point where offering medical services as a for-PROFIT entity should be made illegal.
In network/Out of network
Doctor visit
$18/$96
Colonoscopy
$870/$2,388
Five-day hospital stay
$1,750/$19,750
I can't think of any word to describe that last, especially, other than "outrageous". If the hospital can afford to sell that service to the insurer at the in-network rate, what possible justification can there be for charging a different patient more than ten times as much for THE SAME SERVICE?
IMO, we are rapidly approaching the point where offering medical services as a for-PROFIT entity should be made illegal.
