How Corrupt Is Our Healthcare System?

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But how common do you think it is for companies to charge insurance companies for things that are not needed or for items much more expensive than what was actually used?

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Not common at all

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Or how many doctors get kickbacks for using a certain company's product, etc?

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None, it's very illegal now.


None of this is to say that healtchcare isn't too conviluted or that it's hindered by government intervention, but your specific questions don't happen

I love drug reps buying me steaks

Then I never prescribe their stuff because generics are often just as good and cheap AF

My best friend is a surgeon and he’s taken me with him on several trips/outings paid for by drug reps and medical device salesmen. Golf, guided fishing trips, courtside NBA seats, etc

ETA He hasn’t been handed cash or told he will get abc if he does xyz, but it’s kinda understood

If we want to fix the Healthcare mess, we need fixed plan pricing for healthcare.

The Healthcare provider gets to pick their price. But they charge that price to every one who gets the service. No exceptions.

What does this accomplish?
It is the first step of putting market forces back into Healthcare (they haven't been there in a long time).

If your Health insurance doesnt pay all of the bill, the patient can do one of 4 things.
1) pay cash for the difference.
2) switch health insurance companies
3) switch to a less expensive health provider
4) not get the procedure.

This goes for prescriptions from the pharmacy as well. Flat rate regardless of coupon, discount, promo, or prescription drug plan.

The fifteenth of each month, the provider publishes rates effective on the first of the month to allow the provider fluidity to adapt to market demands.
Scheduling a procedure 6 months out? The rate sheet locks in that appointment at a scheduled rate (similar to mortgage locks).

We are in a cluster-frick right now because we have the worst health system in the world. No market forces affect our healthcare system. High demand for the best health care providers drive prices up which the entire industry takes advantage of from the insurance payments.

Once Obama let the cat out of the bag it all went to shite, premiums up 300-400% as well as deductibles.

I remember our first meeting with United Healthcare after this and they calmly explained how we would be paying 3 times as much for a way inferior product.

Compare this to the average wage increase of 3% and he set the workforce back 10 years.

Being in medical sales, I’ve seen A LOT. Sex, wild trips, and even drugs. It can be a dark world if you get involved with the wrong docs.

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But how common do you think it is for companies to charge insurance companies for things that are not needed or for items much more expensive than what was actually used?

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0%- I’m a medical device rep, and in my experience, insurance companies spend tons of time trying to avoid paying for procedures/ Products unless there are very clear indications of medical necessity.

Doctors in the 80’s/90’s got sweet golf trips, Ruth Chris dinners, etc.

Now, doctors cannot accept over 10-15 bucks or so in a meal benefit. There is a website with all reported benefits listed.

Most people I know don’t even mess with drug reps these days. More trouble than its worth.

OweO, if your aren’t happy with the current Healthcare system in the U frickin’ S of A, march your sorry arse over to the U.K. and go enjoy the NHS for a year or two.

To make omlets, you gotta crack some eggs.

PS: This message brought to you by the American Medical Association.

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