Frequent trips to ER -- news story

[swampcritter]

There is an old rule called the 80/20 rule, that 20% of people will use 80% of a resource. Seems like when it comes to medical care its even more skewed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/ap_on_re_us/frequent_er_patients_3

AUSTIN, Texas – Just nine people accounted for nearly 2,700 of the emergency room visits in the Austin area during the past six years at a cost of $3 million to taxpayers and others, according to a report. The patients went to hospital emergency rooms 2,678 times from 2003 through 2008, said the report from the nonprofit Integrated Care Collaboration, a group of health care providers who care for low-income and uninsured patients.

[guessagain]

Thanks, I know what you mean though. My ex- father in law was a paranoid schizophrenic and treated under government rules. He became very ill and was hospitalized with pneumonia, he was getting better and the regulations were such that he was to go home on oxygen. He lived alone and was found dead 3 days later. Officials wanted to do an autopsy because it was just too soon after leaving the hospital. He died because of what they called mucus plugs in his lungs. I'm sure things would have been different had he not been mentally ill, but the government programs were pushing him out the door.    

[margypops]

Well dont count on goverment run health care to make it better all you will do is wait for any treatment ..days maybe a week for a docs appt, surgery .....in definate time.office calls you'll be lucky ...you still pay for meds.Yes ER you may get somewhere .I sympathise.. its a dilemma isnt it , I wish the best health treatment you can get..

[guessagain]

I lost my job because of issues related to my health and I kept up with the cobra payments while I could qualify. Then because of preexisting conditions, I was now basically uninsurable, but holding my own. I prepay my doctors visits and they give a good discount for paying up front. Although regular work is spotty at best right now, I get by, but single trip to the E.R., 24 hours in the hospital, and some tests raked up nearly $7000.00 for the hospital. Nearly another $800.00 for E.R. doctor fees alone. Wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours $450.00, two office calls $140.00, lab work $90.00, medications 1 month $100.00. Total, $8580.00. I don't really care what kind of health care I get.
    

[PlateletGal]

"but I would say I would not trust the insurance industry to make the right decision."

I agree with you 100%. Physicians trusted HMO's and thought they would help them. What they didn't know at the time that these insurance companies would be denying life saving operations to their patients !  And how about United Healthcare cheating on claims ?


Greed & corruption:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=agH.cI_6Ve5I&refer=home

[margypops]

I have lived with Government run health care and socialism, there are huge waiting lists for Surgery and a lot of it is refused any way,you wait weeks for an appointment to see a specialist and days sometimes even to see a doctor, doctors leave UK to work where they get paid it has not worked at all, Yes America does need a better system the insurance companies need to be easier and less expensive, in England ,the ERs are still full as its the only way sometimes.to get anything done when you are sick, dont be fooled ,by the smooth talkers, it doesnt work ,I came to America to escape it..

[teko]

Did anyone watch 60 minutes last night? People were on the show that had cancer and had been recieving treatment at the county hospital in Nevada. That is, until the county hospital canceled their oncology dept due to lack of funds needed to keep it going. These people were handed a death sentence. Those who had insurance thru their employer but had since had to quit their job due to their illness and could not afford to keep up the insurance? This is really sad! We have finally arrived at letting people die who do not have insurance? I am for national healthcare or anything else that would prevent this from happening. Unless you are in this situation, it is very easy to have opinions on it!