3 ms·

Why people overuse the E.R. (And increase the cost of health care)

6 points by iamelgringo 18y ago

patrickg-zill 18y ago
No statistics are quoted, which greatly weakens the argument. In my experience, the ER are where illegals go, knowing that they will not be charged. This can be shown because in states where illegal immigration is discouraged, the load on the ER goes down. In addition, whenever the police pick up someone who is homeless because of drug or alcohol abuse, who is showing any signs of illness, they will take him to the ER. Since such a person is always homeless, and often sick, he will visit the ER several times in the course of a year.
- omouse 18y ago
  Only anecdotal evidence provided, which greatly weakens your argument.
time_management 18y ago
At this point, I don't know how anyone can not admit that the U.S. healthcare system is an epic fail, and that we're long overdue to go universal. One of the reasons doctors are "over-booked" is that they have to spend a inordinate amount of time fighting with these scumbag insurance companies just to get properly paid. Some top-notch Manhattan doctors won't even take insured patients-- cash only. As more doctors opt out of insurance, we're headed toward a three-tier healthcare system, with the uninsured at the bottom, the insured in the middle, and the very wealthy (self-insured) at the top. The interesting reversal is in the fact that, decades ago, the AMA spoke out against "socialized medicine", fearing that, if doctors became government employees, their compensation would decline. Now, the AMA is coming out in favor of universal healthcare, because it turns out that the insurance scumbags are eroding doctors' remuneration more than government ever could.
- DanHulton 18y ago
  Citation? I don't necessarily disbelieve, but I want to read more.
  - time_management 18y ago
    (Edited, 5:46 pm) Are you asking me to cite my claims about the AMA or about Manhattan doctors not accepting insurance? On the AMA: Here's a record put out by the AMA in 1961, starring Ronald Reagan, against "socialized medicine": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs In 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EG-I3QnCk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EG-I3QnCk On doctors not participating with health plans: this is from personal experience. I had a rash of health problems six months ago and found that many doctors wouldn't see me unless I was willing to pay in cash. I would have to turn around and ask for reimbursement from the insurance company, which they might deny, since I sought the services of a non-participating doctor. It makes sense that a doctor would not want to participate with insurance plans, if he's able to get enough work without doing so. Insurance companies add hassle, sometimes deny payment for stupid reasons, and generally wear up a doctor's time and patience.

6 points by iamelgringo 18y ago

No statistics are quoted, which greatly weakens the argument. In my experience, the ER are where illegals go, knowing that they will not be charged. This can be shown because in states where illegal immigration is discouraged, the load on the ER goes down. In addition, whenever the police pick up someone who is homeless because of drug or alcohol abuse, who is showing any signs of illness, they will take him to the ER. Since such a person is always homeless, and often sick, he will visit the ER several times in the course of a year.

omouse 18y ago
Only anecdotal evidence provided, which greatly weakens your argument.

time_management 18y ago

At this point, I don't know how anyone can not admit that the U.S. healthcare system is an epic fail, and that we're long overdue to go universal. One of the reasons doctors are "over-booked" is that they have to spend a inordinate amount of time fighting with these scumbag insurance companies just to get properly paid. Some top-notch Manhattan doctors won't even take insured patients-- cash only. As more doctors opt out of insurance, we're headed toward a three-tier healthcare system, with the uninsured at the bottom, the insured in the middle, and the very wealthy (self-insured) at the top. The interesting reversal is in the fact that, decades ago, the AMA spoke out against "socialized medicine", fearing that, if doctors became government employees, their compensation would decline. Now, the AMA is coming out in favor of universal healthcare, because it turns out that the insurance scumbags are eroding doctors' remuneration more than government ever could.

DanHulton 18y ago
Citation? I don't necessarily disbelieve, but I want to read more.
- time_management 18y ago
  (Edited, 5:46 pm) Are you asking me to cite my claims about the AMA or about Manhattan doctors not accepting insurance? On the AMA: Here's a record put out by the AMA in 1961, starring Ronald Reagan, against "socialized medicine": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs In 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EG-I3QnCk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EG-I3QnCk On doctors not participating with health plans: this is from personal experience. I had a rash of health problems six months ago and found that many doctors wouldn't see me unless I was willing to pay in cash. I would have to turn around and ask for reimbursement from the insurance company, which they might deny, since I sought the services of a non-participating doctor. It makes sense that a doctor would not want to participate with insurance plans, if he's able to get enough work without doing so. Insurance companies add hassle, sometimes deny payment for stupid reasons, and generally wear up a doctor's time and patience.