Why Americans Are Drowning in Medical Debt

[seabeckind]

5. The industry has worked out procedures to guarantee maximum return

Every industry that has consumers.

Every consumer, whether that's a commoner or another supplier.

Anecdote (plural of that is data): Periodically I need a diagnostic blood test. The procedure is that I should know when that is necessary but oftentimes the doctor tells me it's time (heh, heh).

The doctor writes an order (bills the insurance company, I get a copay).

The blood test is in the doctor's office with a subcontractor. Draw (bills the insurance company, I get a copay).

The test is done using a machine and it spits out the result and sub reads it. (bills the insurance company, I get a copay).

Sub sends a copy to the doctor. Doctor looks at it (bills the insurance company, I get a copay).

Doctor's staff updates my records, posts an entry on my record, tells me to look at it.

End of billing except for kickbacks to medical records industry. Krugman had a column a while back about that scam.

Long ago (15 years) the test (A1C) was done in the office with a thumb prick and shoved in the reader. Even the local drug store did it. Now it's a full draw, 2 vials.