Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 24 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 2/9/09

The specifics of how a single payer Healthcare system would look like

By       (Page 2 of 3 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   14 comments
Message Matthew UTae

Doctor visit = $100

Medical Supplies on line item basis adds up to $2000

Diagnostic test = $100

With these amounts, Medicare will pay you 80% of $1500 per MRI, not 80% of $2000 as you were billed.  So going back to our scenario where your child has leukemia and went to recieve treatment.  Lets do the math of how this would look like under a single payer system that resembles Medicare.

The hospital bills you as follows:

6 MRI's billed at $2000 per MRI = $12000

30 Doctor visits billed at $125 per visit = $3750

Medical supplies used = $2000

12 Diagnostic tests billed at $75 per test = $900

Total Cost = $18650

Medicare reimbursement under part B with "Medicare approved rates":

For MRI's = 80% of $1500 = $1200 per MRI

Doctor visits: 80% or $100 = $80 per visit

Medical Supplies: 80% of $2000 = $1600

Diagnostic tests: 80% of $100 = $80 per test

Medicare would reimburse you $7200 for the MRI's, $2400 for the doc visits, $1600 for the medical supplies, and $900 for the diagnostic tests.  The only thing that was covered in full were the diagnostic tests... you got lucky that the "Medicare approved amount" was high enough to cover the $75 per test.  Thats a total reimbursement of $12,100.  Your total cost was $18650!

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Matthew UTae Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact EditorContact Editor
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Healthcare paradox: Nadya Shulman

Healthcare Legislation & Policy Update

The specifics of how a single payer Healthcare system would look like

Health Care Facts for Future Article Writers

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend