Cost of Clinic pacer check

I live in So CA where every thing is expensive.
I wanted to share with you the cost of a pacemaker check up at hospital.
The charge in March (every three months) was $204.75
Since some parts of Obamacare is already in place the cost in June was $438.06 . Same type of check up. Nurse said price up because of new health rules.
I didn’t think the Obama care was in place until Jan 1 but some parts start when the bill was signed.
When I transmit by computer the cost will be the same as clinic check every three months.
Medicare my first insurance.
My secondary insurance has raised premium 40%.
So keep check on your health bills.
There is no free lunch so expect cost changes....

10 Comments

Just Changes, That's All

by Juan - 2010-08-13 01:08:52

Now look, you should not be complaining. We were promised changes and we are seeing one of them in the form of higher health insurance costs. They have warned me our will increase at least 25% and maybe more. But come November we will have the opportunity to vote for more changes if we want them.

The 'O' Insurance Care ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-08-13 02:08:08

Yes, depending on who you are and what you don't have. If you are lucky enough to be in the National Legislature, you have a different insurance and a really economical cost. They do not want/like the insurance plans forced on us, the American public.

I am a widow, on a very limited income of Medicare and a small retirement pension from Texas State Teacher Retirement, after working 30 years. The retirement income has not for years and will not be getting a 'cost of living' raise as the 'powers to be' has decided there was not a cost of living increase in Texas (yeah, right, so why has my groceries/gas/utilities/etc. soared?).

My main insurance, since I turned age 65, is Medicare, which charges a monthly charge for insurance. I pay several thousands of dollars every 3 months for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for a secondary insurance. I get a letter from BC/BS and guess? Yes, my insurance has gone up substancially.

God Bless,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Have A Great Weekend ~

PM Checkup

by Blue - 2010-08-13 02:08:58



It is always itneresting to see how health insurance programmes work. Does it men that Mended heart has to pay $438.06 for a pm checkup. Is any of this refunded by the insurance co? Here we have Medicare and when I have a pm check the cost is about $80 and Medicare picks up the cost. I have never had a bill to pay for when I have my pm checked. Some bills in the US are just staggering.

PM Checkup

by mendedheart - 2010-08-13 08:08:49

Southern CA is expensive place to live...
On the $ 438.06 bill for pacer check. Medicare paid
$ 75.78.
Office call for doctors runs $150.00 up for few mins.

COSTS IN THE USA

by pete - 2010-08-14 04:08:55

I would never dream of visiting America for two reasons. Firstly because you cannot rely on travel insurance not finding an excuse not to pay up. Secondly because your hospitals charge far far too much. I have a neighbour whose son in law has had a brain heamorrage in California. He is stuck in a hospital in the USA. The medical bill will run into possibly a million dollars and the flight home will cost 75000 dollars if he gets that far. The insurance company are looking into "ways" of not paying up, leaving the family bancrupt.

MEDICAL COSTS IN AMERICA

by SMITTY - 2010-08-14 10:08:06

Pete,

I take it you are having a bad day, but don't be criticizing America. We are damn proud of our country! However, you probably should continue to remind us you are not coming here, otherwise we will never know it.

Also, I guess you would be satisfied saluting a flag with a swastika and doing the goose step, which is what the people in the U.K. would be doing today had it not been for America's blood, sweat and tears a few years ago.

As for our health care costs, we don't like all of it ourselves but because of those high costs we have some of the best medical facilities you will find any where. Otherwise why would so many people from around the world continue to come here looking for the health care they can't get at home.

As for your neighbor's son in law, those hospitals had the facilities, and didn't ask for payment up front, so he is still alive because he got the care he needed. As for $75,000 for air fare home, what is he trying to do, charter Air Force One? If that cost is from a quote by an American company, maybe he can get what he needs from a company in the U.K. We do let aircraft from foreign countries land here, unless they are displaying the Al Qaeda logo on the tail.

Your statement "Firstly because you cannot rely on travel insurance not finding an excuse not to pay up." puzzles me. Are you saying companies selling travel insurance in America will not live up to their commitment? If it is, you are wrong. I have made hundreds of trips by air in my life time during which I traveled over more than half the world and I have never had any travel insurance I purchased not do as they promised.

Smitty

Thank you

by pacergirl - 2010-08-14 10:08:58

Just want to say thank you Smitty for speaking up.

The United States may not be the perfect place for you Pete, but it is for me. I have lived in Europe for more than 10 years and had to use their medical system. It was very expensive for me. However it was a cost that I accepted.

I respected your country when I went for a visit. I also checked on my insurance before I left. I also checked into travel insurance. My medical insurance will cover me in an emergency in another country. I pay for that. I take responsibility for my care, I didn't expect another country to pay for my health care if I needed it. There are limits to travel insurances and it is up to the individual to choose the policy that fits their needs. If one purchases a policy with little benefits then that is what they get. That also goes the other way, if you need a lot of coverage, then one may purchase one for a lager amount.

I'm sure you are just upset and might be overreacting. Brain injuries are expensive in any country and I am truly sorry about your friends' son-in-law. I hope he is able to travel home soon. No health care system is perfect.

PG

Just checked my PM checkup cost.

by biker72 - 2010-08-15 04:08:31

The insurance company was charged $166.
I paid $25 out of pocket.
I have a checkup every 6 months.

Viva America ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-08-15 08:08:04

I am proud to be a citizen of the USA. I am proud to be an American. I am proud to be a TEXAN.

Yes, health care anywhere is expensive, but where can you find the best Clinics in the World? America. I have Friends in Canada, Australia and New Zealand who would come to the USA to take care of their health.

Smitty and pacergirl, thank you for being so professional in your 'posts' and saying it 'like it is'.

Pete, with your apparent 'hate' for the USA, I would not expect you to visit our country. Should I ever visit your country, you may be assured, that I would respect and enjoy being in another part of this Great Free World!

Pete, life is toooo short to have so much hatred in your heart, and it is not good on your heart conditions anyway. Please, make it your daily routine, to smile, say only good things about other people/countries and try to adjust a bitter attitude. God Bless You ~ ~

With All Respects to You and Your Country,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Have You Smiled Today? ~ Bear Hugs To You ~

re: cost

by i_nurse99 - 2010-09-27 07:09:46

When you travel whether it's in the USA or elsewhere if you have a medical emergency you will have expenses. Heck, if you have a medical emergency in your home town you will have expenses. I don't believe anywhere has the perfect health care plan but if you need health care, you will have to find some way of paying for it. I am a dialysis nurse and a year ago I had a medical emergency requiring an ambulance ride to the ER while vacationing in Florida. The care I received was excellent or I wouldn't be here today, however some of the bills I've received has been staggering. This leads me back to the original question. My pacemaker checks are $230.00 every 3 months whether it's at home or in the clinic, I have good insurance (for now) and they pay a big chunk of this. I have found that when I ask they tell me little to nothing about my pacemaker or how it is working, so I have asked for a referral to another doctor/clinic.

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