[bettilimbroke999]

I've had an ingrown toenail on my left big toe for the past 6 months and it was getting infected and hurt like shit so I had to go to the doctor today even though I don't have any health insurance , anyway the total cost to go to the podiatrist was $415 (85 for visit fee (pay up front), 300 nail surgery, and 30 for dressing kit). Did I get scammed it seems like that's fukin very high, should I have gone to like a family doctor? My big toe was gettin very swollen, infected, bleeding and painful so I felt I should go to a podiatrist but maybe I could've gotten this done cheaper at like a family doctor idk? Anyone here have an ingrown toenail and is this really how much it costs? Seems like highway robbery but then again doctor's have always charged an arm and a leg

[CrazyLou]

Why go to a family ENT doctor when you have a problem specifically related to your foot?

They'd probably just refer you to the foot people and charge you for that.

[mathdotcom]

Yes too bad there's no universal health care. Then the doctors would have charged even more, and the bill would have been footed (pardon the pun) by the rest of society. Great solution.

Stop gambling and get some insurance you barreled in phuck

[bettilimbroke999]

If I wasn't worried my toe would have to be amputated if I waited any longer I would've held out for Obama's universal health care plan, but unfortunately for me there's 400+ bucks down the drain, maybe I should've signed up for BetUS's "gambler's insurance"

[bigboydan]

My advice would be to get health insurance no matter what it might cost you, especially if your currently not considered high risk and insurable!

[durito]

Without insurance I was expecting you to say it cost $1,500-2,000.

[bettilimbroke999]

Originally Posted by CrazyL

Why go to a family ENT doctor when you have a problem specifically related to your foot?

They'd probably just refer you to the foot people and charge you for that.

Good point, prolly the only ppl who can perform nail surgeries are podiatrists so would've most likely cost me more had I gone to a family doctor first and then gotten referred, just seemed extremely steep for a quick little numb and cut deal but hell I guess if the guys in agony u can charge his ass whatever you feel like since he's got no other option

[bettilimbroke999]

Originally Posted by durito

Without insurance I was expecting you to say it cost $1,500-2,000.

I might've had to pull out the kitchen knife and done the surgery myself for that price, but apparently 415 doesn't seem steep to anybody else so perhaps that's just what it's like nowadays, go in with your wallet out and hope they leave a few bucks for gas home if you don't have insurance

[bigboydan]

Originally Posted by bettilimbroke999

I might've had to pull out the kitchen knife and done the surgery myself for that price

Many of times I wish I could have somebody stick the 12 inch needle in my back to preform the nerve blocker injection that costs like $5,000 a shot every 3 to 4x's a year. Unfortunately that's not an option sir.

[durito]

I've taken the knife to myself a few times, it's not highly recommended.

[tacomax]

Originally Posted by mathdotcom

Yes too bad there's no universal health care. Then the doctors would have charged even more, and the bill would have been footed (pardon the pun) by the rest of society. Great solution.

Bearing in mind that American spends the most per capita on healthcare in the world and has a higher infant mortality rate than Cuba and aren't even in the top 20 for life expectancy, what makes you think that the money is spent well in the current system?

[Deuce]

Would have cost me nothing out of my pocket. I have no co pay for visits.

[durito]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Would have cost me nothing out of my pocket. I have no co pay for visits.

Being on your parents insurance is a wonderful thing.

[mmike032]

doesnt sound bad to me. Hell I've got about 23K in unpaid hospital bills over the past 2 years and thats with insurance. I flipped my truck and had to have MRI on my neck and spinal cord to check for damage 2 yrs ago. Shot myself with a nailgun and had to have the nail surgically removed from my leg 1 1/2 yrs ago. This year I've had surgery with a 4 day stay in the hospital, and 3 weeks ago almost cut my finger off with a skill saw.
All this totaling to about 23K after insurance paid their share. So I'm making monthly payments for the rest of my life

[mathdotcom]

Originally Posted by tacomax

Bearing in mind that American spends the most per capita on healthcare in the world and has a higher infant mortality rate than Cuba and aren't even in the top 20 for life expectancy, what makes you think that the money is spent well in the current system?

Infant mortality is only one indicator. America has the lowest wait times for all types of surgeries and treatments.

Universal health care isn't very descriptive, anyways. There are different types of universal health care. Canada's is the worst type - there are no private clinics, and the insurance is provided by the government. Canadians have absolutely no choice. If Obama does implement it, I hope he looks at Europe, which at least allows private provision

[durito]

Originally Posted by mathdotcom

Infant mortality is only one indicator. America has the lowest wait times for all types of surgeries and treatments.

Universal health care isn't very descriptive, anyways. There are different types of universal health care. Canada's is the worst type - there are no private clinics, and the insurance is provided by the government. Canadians have absolutely no choice. If Obama does implement it, I hope he looks at Europe, which at least allows private provision

Obama's plan changes nothing if you already have private health insurance, you can keep it.

[bettilimbroke999]

Originally Posted by mmike032

doesnt sound bad to me. Hell I've got about 23K in unpaid hospital bills over the past 2 years and thats with insurance. I flipped my truck and had to have MRI on my neck and spinal cord to check for damage 2 yrs ago. Shot myself with a nailgun and had to have the nail surgically removed from my leg 1 1/2 yrs ago. This year I've had surgery with a 4 day stay in the hospital, and 3 weeks ago almost cut my finger off with a skill saw.
All this totaling to about 23K after insurance paid their share. So I'm making monthly payments for the rest of my life

That's a pretty rough 2 yrs mike, hate to see how much the bill would've been without insurance

[Richkas]

Originally Posted by bettilimbroke999

I've had an ingrown toenail on my left big toe for the past 6 months and it was getting infected and hurt like shit so I had to go to the doctor today even though I don't have any health insurance , anyway the total cost to go to the podiatrist was $415 (85 for visit fee (pay up front), 300 nail surgery, and 30 for dressing kit). Did I get scammed it seems like that's fukin very high, should I have gone to like a family doctor? My big toe was gettin very swollen, infected, bleeding and painful so I felt I should go to a podiatrist but maybe I could've gotten this done cheaper at like a family doctor idk? Anyone here have an ingrown toenail and is this really how much it costs? Seems like highway robbery but then again doctor's have always charged an arm and a leg

Get a job with insurance or pay the fees.

[goldengoat]

health care and health insurance is the modern day mafia

i don't care what any doctor says. they and the system are robbing people daily with outrageous prices. i've come back everytime from doctor visits and belched my customary "you got to be fvcking kidding me" upon looking at the bill.

bullshit charges just for them to say they looked at you. more bullshit charges when they give an obvious opinion but don't really do anything. bullshit charges for exams that aren't really necessary. i do give credit for when they do perform a useful service though.

don't go to a doctor unless you have to or have pimped out insurance. i get the whole you are paying for their experience and schooling but a lot of other people went through a lot of schooling too and don't charge horseshit fees for basically nothing.

another kicker is when they say you need this, that, and the other procedure and never mention prices as if everyone can throw money out the window without checking out the cost 1st

[fiveteamer]

that is rough. I had ingrown toe nails once, BAD, REALLY bad. Did not need surgery and was paid for by the tax payers of Canada.

[tullamore]

I had one doctor who tried to charge me extra for his signature on a piece of paper explaining my injury to my employer. I needed a letter from my doctor so I could go on longterm disability due to my knee surgery.

[Willie Bee]

If the podiatrist did it right, that sounds like a very reasonable fee to me. I had one removed when I was about 20 for half that probably, it was done right and never came back, just as he guaranteed. Showed me how to take care of my feet and I've never had an ingrown toenail since.

[mmike032]

Originally Posted by goldengoat

health care and health insurance is the modern day mafia

i don't care what any doctor says. they and the system are robbing people daily with outrageous prices. i've come back everytime from doctor visits and belched my customary "you got to be fvcking kidding me" upon looking at the bill.

bullshit charges just for them to say they looked at you. more bullshit charges when they give an obvious opinion but don't really do anything. bullshit charges for exams that aren't really necessary. i do give credit for when they do perform a useful service though.

don't go to a doctor unless you have to or have pimped out insurance. i get the whole you are paying for their experience and schooling but a lot of other people went through a lot of schooling too and don't charge horseshit fees for basically nothing.

another kicker is when they say you need this, that, and the other procedure and never mention prices as if everyone can throw money out the window without checking out the cost 1st

agreed, I was charged twice for anthesia. Once from the anthesiolgist and again from the hospital. those 3 breathes of gas cost me $1200.
then the pain meds in the hospital, for the good shit (Demerol) each shot was about $150, and the pills(Loratab) were $20 a piece. I'm sure there was about a 300% mark up at least on them.

[bettilimbroke999]

Originally Posted by mmike032

agreed, I was charged twice for anthesia. Once from the anthesiolgist and again from the hospital. those 3 breathes of gas cost me $1200.
then the pain meds in the hospital, for the good shit (Demerol) each shot was about $150, and the pills(Loratab) were $20 a piece. I'm sure there was about a 300% mark up at least on them.

Damn the Lortabs they gave me prescription for today 6 500 mgs cost 9 bucks ($1.50 each) at K-mart