What's Wrong with Healthcare

FROM ROSS NUNAMAKER

What's Wrong with Healthcare

This post goes a bit off-topic, but I have in the past in my frustration written about healthcare.

I’m know many long-time residents went to doctors Snyder or Kessler, then crossed the street to the Nazareth Pharmacy to get their prescription. And while I know I should get annual check-ups, I’ve pretty much gone to a doctor on an as needed basis since Dr. Snyder retired. Since that has happened twice, I haven’t gotten a new doctor.

This year my wife got strep, my daughter was already on antibiotics, and I was getting a scratchy throat so I decided to go to St. Luke’s North on a Saturday so I wouldn’t have to take time off of my new job.

I signed in, gave my medical card info, filled out a form and ten minutes later I was meeting with a Physician’s Assistant. Told her the one sentence description, she asked if I wanted the test or the script, I took the script and I was done in less than five minutes.

This week I opened a bill from St. Luke’s for $357.00 for the service provided. $143.00 was charged as Emergency Room and $214.00 for Professional – Emergency Room.

I wish I could somehow manage to earn $2568 per hour as the hospital network was earning off this PA, not to mention the $1716 that was charged for the use of a single room for one hour.

I guess it is easy to understand why a typical family medical plan now costs around $1500 per month with an equal annual deductible and co-pays of $30-40 with formularies ranging from $20-$60.

So despite the fact that it was fast, convenient (open on a Saturday morning), and the people were friendly, plus I didn’t cost my employer time (though through insurance I did money) I won’t ever be returning to their facility.

With that off my chest, I’m going to finish paying bills so I can get outside and enjoy some of this sunshine before dinner with friends and a show at the Nazareth Center for the Arts (come on out and see Bill Toms from the Houserockers out of Pittsburgh, PA – show starts at 8:00 p.m., tickets $10, BYOB).

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker

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