I'm gonna be out for a week maybe two.

[BacktoBasics]

Having surgery. Its a tooma. Not a deadly one and not even a traditional tumor. Unfortunately this surgery will involve cutting into my marble sack which will be quite painful and limit my ability to walk for a week or so.

I was told the surgery would cost around 20k-24k which is about what I expected. I told the doctor that I don't have medical insurance and I would just live with what I have since its not considered life threatening. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't cancer or anything. The doctor comes back a few minutes later and all of sudden the surgery now only cost about 4k including the anesthesiologist and the facility charges. The pitch was that I was a cash buyer :rolleyes . I'm sure the doctor can write this one off so I'm guessing that's his real motivation. I couldn't tell you. Perhaps its the legitimate going rate for that type of work minus all the ridiculous add-ons that show up on the bill.

I suppose I'm grateful for the affordable price but it just confirms why our current health care structure is so fucked up. I already knew this but to see it action just made me sick to my stomach.

I know I know we live in a day and age where ethics takes a back seat to profit.

If I die on the table johnsmith and Joe Chalupa will be in charge of any Ghosts of B2B trolls.

[clambake]

keep it in a jar and take it to work.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Best of luck to you. Once you're back on your feet make sure you show off your scars to any prospective buyers to get some sympathy points and make some sales.

[ploto]

If you are paying cash you can sometimes get them to agree to what they would have accepted from an insurance company- which is much less than the fee they charge. And they get it up front without the cost of billing the insurance company and waiting for payment.

[johnsmith]

Having surgery. Its a tooma. Not a deadly one and not even a traditional tumor. Unfortunately this surgery will involve cutting into my marble sack which will be quite painful and limit my ability to walk for a week or so.

I was told the surgery would cost around 20k-24k which is about what I expected. I told the doctor that I don't have medical insurance and I would just live with what I have since its not considered life threatening. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't cancer or anything. The doctor comes back a few minutes later and all of sudden the surgery now only cost about 4k including the anesthesiologist and the facility charges. The pitch was that I was a cash buyer :rolleyes . I'm sure the doctor can write this one off so I'm guessing that's his real motivation. I couldn't tell you. Perhaps its the legitimate going rate for that type of work minus all the ridiculous add-ons that show up on the bill.

I suppose I'm grateful for the affordable price but it just confirms why our current health care structure is so fucked up. I already knew this but to see it action just made me sick to my stomach.

I know I know we live in a day and age where ethics takes a back seat to profit.

If I die on the table johnsmith and Joe Chalupa will be in charge of any Ghosts of B2B trolls.

Good luck, and think of it this way, you get some time off from work.

[BacktoBasics]

Good luck, and think of it this way, you get some time off from work.I am looking forward to the time off work but since I work 100% commission I'm worried. I'll be playing a shitload of UFC Undisputed.

[tlongII]

Good luck and I'm sorry you're losing one of your testicles.

[ATRAIN]

If I die on the table johnsmith and Joe Chalupa will be in charge of any Ghosts of B2B trolls.

hey wtf!!!

[Dr. Gonzo]

You are going to die.

[BacktoBasics]

Good luck and I'm sorry you're losing one of your testicles.I'm not losing a testicle moron.


hey wtf!!!Calm down you can be in charge of my weekly rants.

[BruceBowenFan]

I'll be playing a shitload of UFC Undisputed.

That game is intense. well when i was playing with my friends.

[BacktoBasics]

You are going to die.Its possible. Going under makes me feel out of control. You go down and never wake up is definitely a fear of mine.

[ATRAIN]

I'm not losing a testicle moron.

Calm down you can be in charge of my weekly rants.

LOL ok thats better.

[ATRAIN]

Its possible. Going under makes me feel out of control. You go down and never wake up is definitely a fear of mine.

actually its a great way to go cause you would never know and not feel pain.

[mrsmaalox]

If you are paying cash you can sometimes get them to agree to what they would have accepted from an insurance company- which is much less than the fee they charge. And they get it up front without the cost of billing the insurance company and waiting for payment.

That's exactly what they are doing. When I was in nursing school I worked part-time for a pulmonologist as a Medicare liasion. I filed all the paperwork and kept the patients informed of what they were covered for. I'd say about 75% of our cases were "benefits only" cases, nothing out of pocket from the patient. I know it's hard for people to understand but it's not healthcare that's the racket. It's the insurance companies. The healthcare system's downfall is actually generosity, not greed. They give away millions of times more services than they are ever compensated for. Eventually the well runs dry and the insurance companies continue to refuse to reimburse while pocketing our premiums.

As impossible as it may seem B2B, healthcare providers really do care about you and your nuts! ;) Good luck to you :toast

[Dr. Gonzo]

Enjoy the morphine high when you get out.

[BacktoBasics]

That's exactly what they are doing. When I was in nursing school I worked part-time for a pulmonologist as a Medicare liasion. I filed all the paperwork and kept the patients informed of what they were covered for. I'd say about 75% of our cases were "benefits only" cases, nothing out of pocket from the patient. I know it's hard for people to understand but it's not healthcare that's the racket. It's the insurance companies. The healthcare system's downfall is actually generosity, not greed. They give away millions of times more services than they are ever compensated for. Eventually the well runs dry and the insurance companies continue to refuse to reimburse while pocketing our premiums.

As impossible as it may seem B2B, healthcare providers really do care about you and your nuts! ;) Good luck to you :toastThen what would be the reason to bill an insurance company 24k. That's 20k or so more than what I'm going to have to pay. Surely the cost of billing doesn't run 20k.

[marini martini]

Go ahead and default on the $4 K, let a collection agency take over. Pay collection agency $5.00 a month for about 3 years. Then offer to pay them off @ $500 to $1000. Your $25,000. surgery should come out to @ $680 to $1180. It worked for me. You won't ruin your credit, cuz your making a steady payment to the collection agency each month!!! And if the collection agency calls & threatens you about turning you over to the DA, just laugh, and tell them you just sold him a RV, and took $2000. off the list price, and now you two are new BFF'S!!!:lmao

Glad you're getting your swollen ball taken care of!:toast

[mrsmaalox]

Then what would be the reason to bill an insurance company 24k. That's 20k or so more than what I'm going to have to pay. Surely the cost of billing doesn't run 20k.

Just because they bill the insurance company 20 or 24K doesn't mean they are going to get it. They obviously already know an insurance company would have only reimbursed 4K of it.
So they can only count on that 4k and whatever they can get out of the patient for the difference. And since most people don't have that kind of money, they settle for payments of usually $25 to $100 per month. And since most patients are over 50, it doesn't amount to much because the patient dies before it's paid off or just continues to accumulate more healthcare bills. So what can they do to try to recoup some of their losses? Inflate prices of course!

[florige]

Its possible. Going under makes me feel out of control. You go down and never wake up is definitely a fear of mine.



Or you could be one of the 10% of Americans each year who aren't actually asleep, but who can't move, or talk and feel every ounce of pain imaginable to man.

[mrsmaalox]

Or you could be one of the 10% of Americans each year who aren't actually asleep, but who can't move, or talk and feel every ounce of pain imaginable to man.

:lmao :tu

[BacktoBasics]

Just because they bill the insurance company 20 or 24K doesn't mean they are going to get it. They obviously already know an insurance company would have only reimbursed 4K of it.
So they can only count on that 4k and whatever they can get out of the patient for the difference. And since most people don't have that kind of money, they settle for payments of usually $25 to $100 per month. And since most patients are over 50, it doesn't amount to much because the patient dies before it's paid off or just continues to accumulate more healthcare bills. So what can they do to try to recoup some of their losses? Inflate prices of course!This theory doesn't hold up.

My insurance company (when I had one) was billed around 23k for a hernia operation and paid out 90% of it. So are they going to give some of it back. No.

This win some lose mentality is unethical in my opinion.

I did figure that most places over bill knowing they won't receive the full amount. However some times and in my case I started receiving bills for the difference. Pretty shitty way to do business.

[BacktoBasics]

Or you could be one of the 10% of Americans each year who aren't actually asleep, but who can't move, or talk and feel every ounce of pain imaginable to man.:wow

[Bukefal]

All the best mate :toast

Health care in the states is really fucked up. There's something usa could learn from europe.

[mrsmaalox]

This theory doesn't hold up.

My insurance company (when I had one) was billed around 23k for a hernia operation and paid out 90% of it. So are they going to give some of it back. No. Give some back?? To who? They didn't even get paid what they billed.


This win some lose mentality is unethical in my opinion.

I did figure that most places over bill knowing they won't receive the full amount. However some times and in my case I started receiving bills for the difference. Pretty shitty way to do business.

You know many doctors? They aren't exactly great businessmen. They go to school for 20yrs to learn medicine, not business. So then they go and dig up some of those famous CEO types to run things....:lol

[BacktoBasics]

Give some back?? To who? They didn't even get paid what they billed.



They over billed to begin with. Just like you said. With the intetion of only collecting a portion.

This is what I mean. Hypothetical situation.

Okay so my surgery has a legitimate going rate of about 4k. If I had an ins. company they would bill 24k (which is actually what they told me) knowing they won't get the full amount. Now we know they won't bill the legit 4k because they'd only get 2k. They then receive 20k out of the 4k bill. Then proceed to put me into collection for the remain 4k. Even though I was just to have a co-pay. Even though the surgery is really on 4k.

If its only 4k do they give the extra 16k back to the ins. company.

Answer: No.

The ins. company doesn't pay the full amount because its absurd. They're over paying to begin with but have an obligation to pay due to the policy. The excessive over the top charging of everything is what drives up the price of ins.

Not to say that the insurance companies are all good and peachy though.

Why charge 24k to the ins company and charge me 4k. Its all a load of BS.

[ididnotnothat]

Good luck.

[Strike]

Good luck, dude. Hopefully you and your junk come out of it ok.

[ashbeeigh]

I'm still waiting for my boss to send me my Aetna card. It's been 3 weeks since I hit my 90 days. :madrun

And I'll still have to pay $60 something dollars for my medicine because it was pre-existing. That's my rant on the health care industry.

Anyway. I'm no way up for a healthcare debate today..or maybe ever. I've heard both sides (Barack Obama healthcare ala Healthcare for America Now) and then the way it is. It's a broken system and it sucks.

As long as the people I know and care for (in one way or another) get taken care of that's all that matters, so B2B, you better not die. It would suck at ST without you. Good luck!

[mrsmaalox]

They over billed to begin with. Just like you said. With the intetion of only collecting a portion.

This is what I mean. Hypothetical situation.

Okay so my surgery has a legitimate going rate of about 4k. If I had an ins. company they would bill 24k (which is actually what they told me) knowing they won't get the full amount. Now we know they won't bill the legit 4k because they'd only get 2k. They then receive 20k out of the 4k bill. Then proceed to put me into collection for the remain 4k. Even though I was just to have a co-pay. Even though the surgery is really on 4k.

If its only 4k do they give the extra 16k back to the ins. company.

Answer: No.

The ins. company doesn't pay the full amount because its absurd. They're over paying to begin with but have an obligation to pay due to the policy. The excessive over the top charging of everything is what drives up the price of ins.

Not to say that the insurance companies are all good and peachy though.

Why charge 24k to the ins company and charge me 4k. Its all a load of BS.

No...the surgery is not only worth 4K, it's worth 24k. But they know how much they'll see from insurance companies, and they absorb the rest of the cost. That's why they inflate the prices in the first place.

Like selling a car. We all know there is a mark up. A new car worth 20K gets priced at 24K. When a customer pays the 24K, does anyone give any money back? No someone pockets it.
So the does the healthcare industry; only their deficit is so vast it's just a drop in the bucket.

[BacktoBasics]

No...the surgery is not only worth 4K, it's worth 24k. But they know how much they'll see from insurance companies, and they absorb the rest of the cost. That's why they inflate the prices in the first place.

Like selling a car. We all know there is a mark up. A new car worth 20K gets priced at 24K. When a customer pays the 24K, does anyone give any money back? No someone pockets it.
So the does the healthcare industry; only their deficit is so vast it's just a drop in the bucket.I see your point. Like stated above the entire system is fucked up beyond repair.

[ploto]

Most doctors now are part of provider plans. To be a member of that plan, they agree to accept whatever that insurance reimbursment is. They get from the insurance company what that company will pay and they write off the rest. If the difference in the amount is ONLY due to the provider's agreement to accept the insurance company rate, then they CAN NOT bill you for the difference. They by signing on to be a provider with that insurer have agreed to accept what that company pays. Now, if you have a co-pay, you have to pay that but above that, it is their loss by virtue of agreeing to sign a contract with that company. And companies pay different amounts. Some use the medicare scale, some pay a percentage of the scale- you ever have trouble finding a doctor on a particular plan? It is probably because that insurer pays awful reimbursement rates. Now, some people still have insurance that pays a %- like 80% coverage and so they bill for that and get that % and you have to pay the rest. They actually collect more money on those cases than on the ones for which they are preferrred providers and accept co-pays.

For example: say you go to your regular doctor and you have a $20 co-pay. He might charge $80 but the insurance company (eg Unicare) only allows $60 for that visit. So you pay $20, Unicare pays $40 and the doctor writes off the rest. But if you pay cash, he will charge you $80 and he actually gets more money and less hastle of insurance companies. So you ask for a cash discount.

[duncan228]

Glad it wasn't more serious, good luck with the surgery.

[ChumpDumper]

Why charge 24k to the ins company and charge me 4k. Its all a load of BS.You are being subsidized by all the people they charge the larger amount.

Good luck.

[LnGrrrR]

I'm so glad I'm in the military and don't have to worry about this shit. I just have to worry about no one messing me up while I'm under because I can't sue them.

[Kori Ellis]

I'm glad it's nothing that serious (though I imagine all surgery in that area is relatively serious). I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[timvp]

Damn, so your chode actually exploded during one of your rants? I wonder which one it was.

Good luck. Hopefully you don't lose any ranting ability.

[CosmicCowboy]

Shit.

Save your money and change your handle to Elephantitan

[Kori Ellis]

Out of curiousity, did you discover the tumor? Or was Mrs. B2B doing her job?

[baseline bum]

Damn, nutsack surgery combined with florige's post!?! Good luck with that one; make sure to make the toomer your sig when you get back.

[CosmicCowboy]

And whats wrong with big balls?
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/images/squirrel_nuts_1.jpg

[BacktoBasics]

Out of curiousity, did you discover the tumor? Or was Mrs. B2B doing her job?I've noticed for some time. Over 7 years ago it started to swell. Not a lot just a little. It had been progressively getting larger and more uncomfortable. 5 years ago I had a doctor look at it and he said it was highly unlikely to be cancer but wanted to run a fuck load of test anyway. I wasn't up for 5-7k in bills so I passed figuring that if I hadn't lost any weight or showed any signs of cancer I'd just deal with the swelling. I don't do doctors EVER.

Its large enough now that its uncomfortable during the maritals and I couldn't run or be as physical as I wanted because of the weight and size. I don't want to be the kind of dad that can't do things with his son. Enough was enough and I finally heeded the wife's advice and just bit the bullet and am going to have it squared away.

Basically its just a massive build up of fluid. Possibly a result from a hernia operation about 9 years ago. Its surrounding one of my marbles (thankfully not choking it out). They'll cut it, drain it and remove the sac. Then stitch up where its leaking from. All boys will remain intact and functional.

[Kori Ellis]

I've noticed for some time. Over 7 years ago it started to swell. Not a lot just a little. It had been progressively getting larger and more uncomfortable. 5 years ago I had a doctor look at it and he said it was highly unlikely to be cancer but wanted to run a fuck load of test anyway. I wasn't up for 5-7k in bills so I passed figuring that if I hadn't lost any weight or showed any signs of cancer I'd just deal with the swelling. I don't do doctors EVER.

Its large enough now that its uncomfortable during the maritals and I couldn't run or be as physical as I wanted because of the weight and size. I don't want to be the kind of dad that can't do things with his son. Enough was enough and I finally heeded the wife's advice and just bit the bullet and am going to have it squared away.

Basically its just a massive build up of fluid. Possibly a result from a hernia operation about 9 years ago. Its surrounding one of my marbles (thankfully not choking it out). They'll cut it, drain it and remove the sac. The stitch up where its leaking from. All boys will remain intact and functional.

Wow, I'm glad you finally went to the doctor. Seven years is a long time. timvp doesn't do doctors either, but I think I would have had to drag him there if it was going on that long.

Well, I'm certainly glad it's not that bad. That surgery seems simple enough... recovery will probably be pretty uncomfortable/painful but thankfully you'll be okay.

[Last Comic Standing]

timvp doesn't do doctors either,


He doesn't have to you keep his balls in your purse.

[Last Comic Standing]

One thing is for sure your balls must be huge to even make this topic.

I wonder how your topics will change after surgery! You may have to post at SR from now on! :lmao

[Taco]

Good luck and I'm sorry you're losing one of your testicles.


I'm not losing a testicle moron.


:lol



Hope all goes well B2B :tu

[CosmicCowboy]

My grandfather, who was a real character, "managed" prostate cancer for several years in his 80's...it had gotten to the point where cutting his nuts off was the next best step and he was out at the methodist hospital pre-op the night before his surgery...he and I were in there swapping stories and dirty jokes...just laughing our asses off when one of my many ex brother-in-laws (I have 12) dropped in...he was a real prick that nobody liked...it was like someone threw ice water on the conversation...

He started in on how sorry he was, and what a shame it was, etc. and my Grandfather cut him off in mid sentence...he said...

Son...don't feel sorry for ME...I've had more pussy in my life that you will ever THINK about getting...:lol

[SpursStalker]

Good luck with everything and I wish you a speedy recovery!!

[Summers]

I suddenly understand why B2B's always so cranky.

:)

Good luck and keep us posted!

[td4mvp21]

Good luck, hope the surgery goes well. 24k down to 4k??!?!?!? WTF

[JoeChalupa]

Everything will work out just fine. I've got faith. :tu

[pkbpkb81]

good luck to you i hope everythign turns out well

[Blake]

Its possible. Going under makes me feel out of control. You go down and never wake up is definitely a fear of mine.

but then you'll miss the end times harvest.

book it!

[2Blonde]

Well I made a few calls and found out why they were really able to drop your bill so drastically...
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http://www.allfunnypictures.com/cartoons/anesthesia.gif

[TParks Balls]

If you need to borrow mine PM me I never use them! :depressed

[boutons_deux]

I've seen similar. $137K if you had insurance, $37K w/o.

[BacktoBasics]

Everything will work out just fine. I've got faith. :tu

:rolleyes




but then you'll miss the end times harvest.

book it!

:lmao

[angel_luv]

I am praying for you B2B. Recover quickly! :)

[Jame Gumb]

I am praying for you B2B. Recover quickly! :)

With all the prayer request God gets on an hourly basis good luck squeezing in one about someones balls! :lmao

[angel_luv]

God is able to hear the whole world pray at once.

Besides, B2B and his well being is a priority to God.

[Heath Ledger]

:bang