Hospital Charges vs Surgeon Charges

Some of the most bitter complaints I get from patients are their hospital bills. Apparently, this complaint is not unique to me given numerous media articles about perceived outrageous hospital charges for seemingly simple procedures ( article #1 and article #2 ). The healthcare system as it currently stands establishes 2 separate charges (surgeon and hospital) with any type of procedure performed in a hospital (even if not in an operating room). There is even a 3rd charge if anesthesia is…

5/20/2013 0

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Surgery Costs for Self-Pay Patients

Surgery is expensive... there are no doubts about that. However, there are a few things a patient without insurance who desires surgery can do to minimize the costs as much as possible. Before going into cost-cutting measures, you first need to understand where the costs come from. In rank order, the costs of surgery come from (highest to lowest): • Hospital Charges (MOST expensive charges)     a) Use of OR Room     b) Paying the Circulating Nurse     c) Paying the Scrub Nurse     d) …

1/03/2011 0

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