Post Ad2XAVxfmcBLdWrEMy by violetmadder@kolektiva.social
(DIR) More posts by violetmadder@kolektiva.social
(DIR) Post #Ad0TJjxCLCs1VSrKsa by rchusid@med-mastodon.com
2023-12-20T16:43:09Z
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I'm spending part of the morning trying to get a patient who reports feeling a breast lump in for a diagnostic mammogram--jumping through hoops to try to get her Medicare Advantage plan to pay for it. Our system sucks.
(DIR) Post #Ad0TyFdtwU1NN39OYS by BruceMirken@mas.to
2023-12-20T16:50:29Z
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@rchusid In particular, #Medicare Advantage is a scam.
(DIR) Post #Ad0VCvVRBvzjDTklNo by KayDee@social.stlouist.com
2023-12-20T17:04:19Z
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@rchusid Sucks is a nice way of putting it. I was this close (holding up fingers) to getting an Advantage plan instead of the traditional Medicare & supplement that I currently have. I printed out all the plan documents and read thru everything — even the footnotes. Couldn’t do it. This was a 5 star plan and so much hinged on the term “medically necessary.” Having a lifetime of crappy insurance and being turned down (asthma), it looks like we’re going backward.
(DIR) Post #Ad2WI9E65zKZUHcFSS by GhostOnTheHalfShell@masto.ai
2023-12-21T16:25:53Z
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@rchusid might be cheaper to fly to Mexico for the exam.
(DIR) Post #Ad2WcO88ORGBVDThtw by rchusid@med-mastodon.com
2023-12-21T16:29:33Z
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@GhostOnTheHalfShell I doubt the patient can afford that. Plus while the test itself would be cheaper in Mexico, overall it would probably be cheaper to pay for the test in the US and not have the travel expenses. What usually happens with many of my patients if the insurance company doesn't pay is that the patient signs that they will be responsible, doesn't pay, and winds up in collections. Just one more medical debt
(DIR) Post #Ad2WoxgS22ZvFEWc2i by GhostOnTheHalfShell@masto.ai
2023-12-21T16:31:49Z
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@rchusid The fact that many procedures are orders of magnitude cheaper than in the US (hips, etc) says a lot though.It’s scary that a 2 week trip to Mexico with surgery and a holiday can turn out less expensive than the US.
(DIR) Post #Ad2X0MvSWTfciVz55k by rchusid@med-mastodon.com
2023-12-21T16:33:54Z
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@GhostOnTheHalfShell Yes, if we are talking about surgery it could be a lot cheaper to go to Mexico. However this is just over a diagnostic mammogram. I don't know the cost but I doubt it is so expensive that it would be cheaper to go to Mexico for it.
(DIR) Post #Ad2XAVxfmcBLdWrEMy by violetmadder@kolektiva.social
2023-12-21T16:35:43Z
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@rchusidGlad they have you in their corner, FWIW.
(DIR) Post #Ad2XIxoE87ygJyT5Oa by GhostOnTheHalfShell@masto.ai
2023-12-21T16:37:15Z
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@rchusid A quick search, mammogram + cervical exam for $145 (2022). I think US costs with insurance (deductible) for a mammogram are worse, even with regional variation in price.
(DIR) Post #Ad2XSpcLRQ73oLcEqG by rchusid@med-mastodon.com
2023-12-21T16:39:02Z
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@GhostOnTheHalfShell This is for a diagnostic mammogram, not a routine screening mammogram.
(DIR) Post #Ad2Xokpnu9NBLdMfzs by thezenlady@toot.community
2023-12-21T16:42:57Z
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Does Planned Parenthood provide diagnostic mammograms? They are an affordable option for standard mammograms
(DIR) Post #Ad3EZ1G7Mq75gPPrn6 by ghostie@venera.social
2023-12-22T00:11:07Z
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The systemically corrupt government is grossly negligent or else you wouldn't have to go out of your way to do the right thing
(DIR) Post #Ad3EZ1tozDs9fXzZg0 by rchusid@med-mastodon.com
2023-12-22T00:41:54Z
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@ghostie The problem here is with private Medicare Advantage plans. The traditional government Medicare program is much less likely to deny needed services.