Exposing health insurance's infinite money glitch

[@merryarkose6471]

Letting the insurance companies dictate healthcare is incomprehensible, unconscionable, and beyond words.

[@fairyprincess911]

It's medical malpractice.

[@carolapostolos8929]

But it unfortunately happens everyday.

[@JustMeeZZ]

Welcome to America!

[@suzannehodgkins7197]

Practicing medicine without a license

[@muradshawar]

Thats what people in America Voted for over decades.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

This is appalling. The insurance companies should be allowed zero input into decision making. Zero! Thank you for your insights.

[@MrCodykuczenski]

Flip that around though. US doctors make double any other country, and anesthesiologists are the highest paid among them. Anthem was saying they are setting a max time and if you the dr go above it you either have to justify it as medically necessary or eat the cost. It was never going to be put on patients to pay it was to make sure anesthesiologists weren’t over billing or making cases more severe for billing reasons.

[@MH-pz8wf]

Unless for fraud cases

[@rainbowconnected]

I can't help but wonder how many people died totally preventable deaths or suffer immensely because of the greed of insurance companies. It's criminal. They should be held accountable for that.

[@spvillano]

I remember back in the early '90's, a coworker talking about a friend who needed bypass surgery in order to survive being denied, the insurance company deeming coronary artery bypass surgery an experimental procedure and hence, not covered. The man died of a massive coronary soon after. A few years later, after much political pressure, that experimental procedure became commonplace. Percutaneous valve replacement, until recently, experimental in the US, commonplace for over 20 years while it was experimental only here, throughout Europe. Trump very nearly ruined one experimental vaccine against small cell lung cancer, the vaccine being used for over a decade to great success. The reason he nearly fouled it up? His reversal of normalizing relations with Cuba because Obama started it. Fortunately, it was preserved and the study is nearing completion, with excellent results. I'm sure insurance companies will try to avoid that vaccine's costs until political leaders hold their heels to the fire again. But, there are obstacles. Corporate officers have a fiduciary duty to earn as much as possible for the company, this is a statutory requirement - they're legally required to do so. This establishes a statutory conflict of interest between the insured and the company, which is actually backed by law. Lobbyists ensure that remains so, out of stock owning investors interests. Lobbyists also pay for those hyper-expensive campaigns for Congress, establishing another conflict of interest. So, blaming a CEO for doing their legal duty is trying to hit the broad side of the barn by shooting at the house while standing on the barn roof.

[@jryland6]

10’s of THOUSANDS HAVE DIED!!!!!!

[@carpediemarts705]

This year? ​@@jryland6

[@carpediemarts705]

How?

[@fairyprincess911]

One just was.

[@mrs.doolittle2180]

I'm old enough to remember when you paid $50/month for health insurance. You went to the doctor when you needed. You went to the ER when important. You had surgery when necessary. Insurance paid the bills. But then, before that, when I was born in the 60s, my mom spent a week in the hospital. No health insurance. The total bill for that week, including the doctor, was $127.50.

[@alainaaugust1932]

And if your mom and dad were like mine, they struggled to pay that off at $10.00 a week, that amount probably 1/4 to 1/3 of the weekly grocery bill.

[@mrs.doolittle2180]

@alainaaugust1932 Yup. A very nice person paid off the balance for them because Dad only made around $1/hour, maybe less.

[@bobblacka918]

Blue Cross and Blue Shield used to be non-profit back in the 1960's. And everyone had good health insurance. Then some rich elites convinced the government to let them try the for-profit healthcare model to reduce costs and look what a mess it is now. For-profit and healthcare don't mix.

[@spvillano]

And back then, we didn't have CT scans, MRI's, ultrasounds, 1/3 of the blood tests we have now didn't exist and recovery from a general anesthetic was only 90%, meaning 10% of surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia died. Cancer of any sort tended to be a death sentence.

[@samhighvoltage]

$1400 in today's money. No chump change.

[@donnareeser9221]

My husband passed away and I appealed a bill, 3 times. Finally they admitted they overcharged us 1,800.00 over ten years ago!! Legally they need to recycle the bill until resolved. Also insurance refused to pay anesthesia for a pre-authorized surgery. I filed a claim with the state Attorney Generals office. Miracle, the very first bill that was paid in full was the anesthesia bill!!

[@alainaaugust1932]

State Attorneys General, on the whole, are awesome. One helped me out once when a mortgage company said I’d not paid a payment I already had a cancelled check for. I sent all my documentation and cover letter asking for help to the AG of the state that company was headquartered in. She, yes she, her signature not an assistant, answered. She made them accept that I had paid. To thank her I went to a museum to obtain it and then sent her a photo of a great American Attorney General. Because that’s what great AGs do-they help people get justice. Years later, not too many, I heard that mortgage company went out of business. I smiled. Couldn’t help it.

[@lindagardenlady]

Damn straight you should have smiled!!! ​@alainaaugust1932

[@normabenanzer1161]

Which insurance company was that?

[@tina-mariecrocker5687]

The fact that insurance companies tried to not include coverage for anesthesia shows how inhumane they are. It's torture to do surgery without anesthesia

[@melodys.portlandoregon556]

Right or wrong, I see the insurance companies as being part of the oligarchy we have in USA. I cannot list all the non-sense they have pulled on my family.

[@Athena-g712]

Of course they are - and they're USELESS - there is absolutely NO NEED for insurance in health care - ask any developed nation in the world but the US

[@johnthompson7548]

They kill more Americans a month than Al Quedia did on 9/11. The corporations are allowed to commit terrorism. America is for the corporation by the corporation.

[@tina-mariecrocker5687]

❤❤❤

[@A---ti3zz]

4 YEARS!!! 4 YEARS is how long my insurance made me pay for stuff that they were supposed to cover. I even tried talking to a reporter to see if they could help. I spent hours and hours and hours working to get it fixed. It was an absolute nightmare. They wouldn’t look at the contract. It was actually spelled out. When they finally refunded the money they said they didn’t even have copies of the old contracts. Make sure you read your contracts folks and save copies of them!!!

[@carpediemarts705]

I hear you. I wish the world could hear you.

[@jkishhabi]

We need advocates who can help people negotiate this. When sick, I wouldn't be able to do this by myself. I have pretty severe social anxiety that makes even simple phone calls with strangers really difficult for me. If I am sick, at the same time, I truly wouldn't be able to force myself to contact all the people I would need to contact. As it is, I have several diagnosed medical conditions that cause chronic pain and fatigue and when I get hit with a bill, I don't feel up to fighting it I just set up a payment plan that takes small, monthly payments automatically out of my bank account. I don't know what I am going to do if my condition worsens, as my doctors tell me it is likely to happen, because then I won't be able to work enough to have the money to come out of my account and survive financially.

[@Peace-2024smm]

I had to file medical bankruptcy due to a hysterectomy ( cancer prevention) and thyroid cancer( full removal) . I had “good” insurance 😮

[@annkennedy7422]

I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. Thank you though for your comment it was most appreciated. I wish more would post about the medical bankruptcy they've had to undergo.

[@texasgma3578]

I lost my 401k to my first breast cancer even with insurance (UHC). I lost my retirement property to my second breast cancer treatment. If it happens again I am pretty much judgment proof as I now live in a 18 year old rv.

[@stopabuse2011]

I have a dear friend that died after not being able to keep up with his treatment financially.

[@olly8]

@@stopabuse2011 😥😡 So sorry. Friends are irreplaceable.

[@coweatsman]

I have heard all about the US health situation and it's scary. Fortunately I live in Australia where medical bankruptcy is not a thing. A couple of years ago I had a medical emergency needing 110 cm of necrosed intestines needed to taken out. First class care from the doctors and nurses in the public system for 10 days and no problems other then some interesting hallucinations from the anaesthetic. Made a full recovery although it took about 3 months to make a full recovery. No money involved and certainly no debt..

[@silntbtrfly]

I had UHC. I was told i had cancer and they refused every and all of the tests and surgery. I went completely broke. We paid 1.000 a mo, on top of dr bills

[@coreenaburke5378]

This is not the first story I've heard of this happening I'm disgusted.

[@carpediemarts705]

❤

[@carolapostolos8929]

That's horrible. Did you take this injustice to your local TV station or your attorney general?

[@watchwmn]

So sorry 😢.

[@watchwmn]

It's all good, we all suffer, part of being human, life is sweet, despite suffering, thanks though, for your compassion, I get my rant on sometimes 😂, I got love in my life, grateful...anything else is icing on the cake.

[@deborahdebcourtharcourt3159]

I had surgery for malignant melanoma, sentinel node biopsy, keytruda treatments, several hospitalizations due to complications from the keytruda, a heart attack that led to three stents (taken to and back from another hospital by ambulance) and a week in the hospital. Total cost? $0 Love that I’m a Canadian

[@Woketilyerbroke]

Gross we pay THOUSANDS MORE IN TAXES DONT BELIEVE THIS PERSON ITS WORSE CANADA IS A TERRIBLE PLACE

[@carpediemarts705]

Rub it in

[@carolapostolos8929]

That's fantastic. But there's the other side of the coin. I used to live close to Detroit, whose across the river neighborhood is Windsor. Some Canadian patients would come to the US to get quicker, possibly lifesaving treatment, rather than wait a long time for care in Canada.

[@Woketilyerbroke]

@ yup Exactly. I trained in windsor and they send patients over there all the time because there is no healthcare. Most amount of taxes to wait in line and rot until they offer you the MAID program.

[@maryblumreich9738]

My insurance agents brother did that. He left Windsor for Detroit because he needed cancer treatment and the wait was too long in Canada.

[@AnnieO100]

Insurance is a protection racket.

[@Kiskadee8388]

Legalized highway robbery.

[@scarlettbegoniagirl]

Legal extortion.

[@carpediemarts705]

To be an insurance regulator, you need a career in the insurance industry first to be able to undo the system. That surely creates a literal racket.

[@moocrazytn]

Yes, exactly! Just legalized.

[@watchwmn]

Well said!

[@Lalaland_lady]

My husband had an 8cm mass on his liver, found on an ultrasound, back in August 2023. His “good insurance” denied a MRI. We didn’t fight it, life got in the way. Luckily, he choked on. Some food this May and landed back in the ER and had another ultrasound. He was referred again for an MRI. Between waiting for approval and waiting several months for a MRI with contrast….it was still there and presumptively liver cancer. Then waiting to be referred to a liver cancer/transplant center, he’s having a liver resection with sections 5 and 8 to be removed robotically at UCSF. Thankfully, he turned 65 and now has Medicare with a plan g supplement. I’m relieved, angry, disgruntled and trying to keep faith that he will survive and be ok.

[@airgearmaster123]

They found back in sept 2022 a small mass 1cm at the left side of the liver and the military immediately reffered me to a privite insurance because my active duty tour was ending in 2 days. I felt terrible finding out and immediately being discarded like nothing. Thankfully even though the VA takes time they worked to get me mris and all that stuff asap and within a month I had the services I needed and I get monitored every 6 months. To this day it hasnt grown, Thanks to God.

[@lucycantor1081]

I suddenly wonder how our public system is operating as I have no worries about paying as I don’t pay my doctors. We do actually have one draw back and that’s the waiting list for surgery is long. I am so sad that the health care system is so bad in America. It makes me rethink holidaying there.

[@kjmav10135]

You have to wait a long time for some surgeries and specialists in the US, too. I once had an esophageal ulcer that I had to wait four months to see a specialist for. Hoping it wouldn’t start bleeding or tearing the whole time.

[@Intelligentbydesign]

Waited 6 months to see ob/gyn for a female issue. Also had to wait 6 months to see a dentist as a new patient.

[@susanmercurio1060]

Please do! BDS for the United States!

[@vesuvanprincess]

Vacationers have been known to blunder into our system and return home with massive crippling debt. It's a shame, we'd love to welcome a visit friend but best to keep your economic situation secure.

[@lucycantor1081]

@ yep domestic holiday will have to do. Going on a 7 day cruise end of next year so hoping weather and health stay great. Royal Caribbean is the company think it’s an American company not sure though. My maiden voyage so fingers🤞. I live in Australia and that’s our cyclone season going to Vanuatu where they start they’re just as destructive as hurricanes but I think hurricanes are worse.

[@DAWN001]

I recently took my son to do his vision checkup, and was told my insurance was no longer accepted there. I asked them why and wasn’t given an answer. Paid cash and didn’t feel the “saving” would be a lot if the insurance weren’t dropped. Now I know why. Our vision plan is from United Healthcare.

[@ironrose888]

Some doctors, who are tired of the drama of insurance companies, are now offering cash incentives to bypass the insurance companies. 😊

[@patty2272]

They wanted a prior auth for albuterol inhaler, thats bullshit. Regulating what care can be provided and for how long is a medical decision not a bean counters.

[@Suekyle]

Profits over patients is correct

[@scarlettbegoniagirl]

I work in long term care. This is sooo true. Patients fed garbage. Go without care. Short staffing, yet CEOs and admins get big bonuses for " saving $$" in the budgetNo raises for floor nurses and techs. . It's disgusting. Filthy place and industry.

[@olly8]

@@Suekyle I worked in a nursing home-even decades ago, when a bed was empty- they offered a cash 'bonus' to ANYONE who could fill that bed. And we are going backwards 🤦‍♀️😡

[@Suekyle]

@ it’s a sad state of affairs and evident in all walks of life.😭😭

[@stopabuse2011]

Ok so who is in charge here, who is the adult? Why do we have representatives in Congress? Why do we feel hopeless? What can and what will we do? Lots more of us then them, our voices must be heard!

[@lindagardenlady]

Agreed 💯

[@fairyprincess911]

We have had opportunities to change things.

[@ironrose888]

The insurance companies and big pharma are the biggest money makers in the USA. The profits are astronomical and we the consumers are making them richer. With the next pandemic, there might be a crash 💥 😢

[@susanmercurio1060]

How do you propose to get our voices heard? Otherwise it's just a platitude.

[@carolapostolos8929]

Thank you Doctor for clarifying some of the costs of healthcare. Now we need a video highlighting the amount of $$$$$ including big bonuses that administrators receive.

[@tina-mariecrocker5687]

Exactly

[@bernieyorke6356]

Why can’t we get estimates from hospitals and doctors before having surgery, other than emergency surgery. Costs vary from hospital to hospital but ask doctors what will this cost and no answer. No one will tell you the costs of procedures. I can get estimates for car, house, insurances etc but not for medical care

[@CathRas95]

They don't know the costs, or care what it costs. They care what insurance will pay and determine the cost.

[@Roslyn111]

As an Affordable Care Act & Medicare agent, I'm also frustrated with the entire system. However, I try my best to help my clients get the care they need. What a lot of folks don't realize is that our healthcare is delivered on the federal AND state levels. So what one state might easily cover, another state will flat out deny. It's a lot to manage and juggle. -from Texas

[@carpediemarts705]

The world needs all of the stories of denied care shared publicly. Social justice begins with communication.

[@Roslyn111]

@@carpediemarts705 I 100% agree with you

[@fairyprincess911]

Thanks for caring and trying to help.

[@Roslyn111]

@fairyprincess911 absolutely. You're welcome.

[@susanmercurio1060]

Yes, I moved from Minnesota to West Virginia and I was astonished at the differences in a Federally funded program. P.S. I moved back to Minnesota

[@frankbelford3391]

I have a family member who sells insurance. That person told me if you have a procedure done and pay cash the patient will pay more because there are no caps. not really fair, oh well. So try and get a hospital to give you an estimate or repairs, so to speak, they will not give you a number. reason, unforeseen complications. With that in mind why do insurance companies use a coded system? I was a mechanic for 40 plus years. we used a book that has procedures and time to complete said procedure, called a flat rate manual, much like the insurance code list. I have never talked a bill agent that will or can explain the issue to me.

[@PsalmS-vi8zl]

I am tired Dr. K, of dealing with our modern medical system. If I discontinue my medical care the worst that can happen to me is I am called home to heaven, earlier than planned.

[@daisymay9236]

Thank you for caring..God Bless You..❤😂

[@PinkHawk191]

The insurance is giving trouble about one of my medications because it's OTC.For my asthma they keep denying coverage for Breztri Aerosphere because it''s not approved yet for asthma yet. My asthma doctor thinks it's best for me. My asthma doctor had to put me on two more medications to deal with my asthma when I could take one medication for my asthma. My asthma doctor and nurses are going to resubmit another prior authorization to fight for what's best for me. They are denying coverage for physical therapy for my severe pain caused by my scoliosis. I'm so frustrated dealing with my insurance companies.

[@fairyprincess911]

Same with asthma meds. What's kept me out of ER for fourteen years no longer covered.

[@InLoveWithLove252]

One report stated that twice the amount of people passed away due to lack of insurance than were murdered in 2022. That's wild.

[@rcbronco7830]

Health insurance companies should not be involved with Wall Street, investors or shareholders. These people comes first before patients lives.

[@Intelligentbydesign]

Conflict of interest

[@Boone22]

I've STOPPED ALL MEDICAL treatments since 2016. The wife spinal surgeon quoted $270,000, his charges only, That isn't hospital, or anything else. She has has 7 spinal surgeries, now has severe spinal Stenosis, she is suppose to have spinal clean out was supposed to be done every 2 years due to excessive scar tissue growth. When your on SSA & Medicare..sorry..I feel it won't be long and she will be bedridden. Who has over $300,000 in their back pockets to pay in advance surgery co-pays. This is with health insurance!! But, remember; insurance companies are in business to MAKE MONEY, not having to pay claims!! It's all about their bottom line, NOT YOUR TRUE NEEDS!!

[@olly8]

Medical Insurance is a BUSINESS that happens to work in the Healthcare industry. NOT PATIENT ORIENTED! DOLLARS are THE FOCUS. Now Government wants control over our bodies. SMH-WTF?! My mom was an RN for most of my life. Way back in the late 50s I remember her talking about these things 'possibly happening'. She was an OB head nurse, heard about back alley abortions BEFORE Roe V Wade. And about topics we are having in the 21st Century. I avoid going to doctors, medical care...unless I am nearly incapacitated. I am terrified- "try this med. Here's a new procedure"...I am tired of being a human test dummy. Seems like the poor, the sickly & the elderly are disposable. I have told my kids- if anything happens to me...just let me die. 🤷‍♀️☹️

[@ironrose888]

I agree with you. I’m a former nurse and if I get cancer, no chemotherapy or radiation, just let me die in peace. I don’t want to be a medical test-dummy. 😢

[@susanmercurio1060]

I don't know how you people who oppose national health care can reconcile your your inconsistencies. You keep ranting about "the government in control of our bodies" but you have no problem with a for-profit health insurance company having control of your body.

[@stephenludlum9746]

You also have to consider the possibility that the UnitedHealth Care board illuminated him; he was under investigation by the federal government for inside Trading, which could have revealed other corruption by the board. You usually never see a Health Insurance company CEO without heavy security coverage; he had no security at the time which is extremely unusual. Did the board pull his security? Also, how did the killer know precisely when the CEO would be at that location and time? And did he know he would have zero security with him? He even knew which side of the street he would be on. Or the CEO could have arranged his murder for some reason.

[@charleswebster2550]

Ahhh, Mr. Ludlum, the voice of reason speaks at last.👍 & let's not forget... the "wife" and kids lived separately for years in a different house & location. Certainly suspect & no doubt more will be revealed. Stand by. Note: Edit was a typo.

[@carpediemarts705]

The meeting was published as stockholders meetings usually are. Or were. He thought he was safe. Robinhood was a little clever and a lot lucky.

[@stephenludlum9746]

@@carpediemarts705 First, they only publish where the meeting is and when it starts. They don't publish where the CEO is staying, how he is going to get to the meeting, what route he is taking, or which side of the street he is going to be on. And no matter how comfortable the CEO might have felt, they usually travel with a security detail because the board requires it. The killer was lucky; he did a lot of research.

[@fairyprincess911]

The wife has a motive: $$$$$$

[@80sHeavymetalchick9]

I thought about the lack of security detail too was def fishy.. but yea profits over people

[@jryland6]

The company my father worked form covered insurance & every medical, dental, eye doctor bill we ever had for a family of 6

[@susanmercurio1060]

Lucky you! The other comments should show you that hardly anyone was as lucky as you were.

[@joeyrivera6148]

Hi Doc, my insurance premiums is doubling Jan 1st. I've avoided getting medical services in the past due to the high deductables associated with getting treatment. I've actually considered getting medical and dental elective work done out of the country because it would be cheaper to go out of the country for services than it would cost to do it here in the U.S.

[@c.m.303]

Thanks for speaking up about this! It also has a lot to do with the way they are trained... and the schools are funded by pharma. I'm on 10 years as my health has declined, and the doctors are clueless. I have advocated for myself, all the way to the top doctors. It's clear there is a problem... but they ignore blood work that is off because it can mean so many things, and the tests they are allowed to run don't find true health. If I paid out of pocket, I could go to the doctors that will run actual tests... like for gut biom and hidden bacteria in the blood... but I'm disabled and on medicare, which is another problem. Medicare pays less than 10% of the bill. Doctors don't have the time to spend figuring out the issues and just hand off more drugs to "try"... next. And the advice I have been given turned out to be the opposite of what I should have been told... causing more damage. Gaslight about the heart cramps... and now told my heart has damage. The US has third world illness management... at top prices. Often the treatment is worse than the illness, and just plain wrong diagnoses. After 10 years I figured out that I probably have a neuroendocrine tumor, and my latest doctors agree... but don't have the skills to find it. And I was put on prednisone 6 months ago, I'm told they now can't test for the neuroendocrine tumor. It's a sick system. I'm also told the MDAnderson clinic won't take me until they find it, and if I had the big money they want. I think we are living in hell here. No wonder the son of God came to pay a ransom for us. Satan is holding us hostage.

[@nnnmmm2683]

Need national class action on each company that refuses to pay. They charge monthly, you pay, they deny, commit fraud.

[@Beekeeper_of_All_Trades]

not class action, they all need to be investigated for fraud. They are defrauding the government and the American people

[@avamartinez8586]

If it was ever completely revealed how many people have been denied care and then died, it would be something I think would shock many people. The people who do have good insurance live in tunnel vision thinking about how great it is for them. Most of them have no understanding what it’s like to be abused by this corrupt system & they don’t care. As long as they have good insurance that’s all that matters to them. They just say everyone else should have done what they did to get good healthcare.

[@susanmercurio1060]

Tell that to @jryland6 who posted a comment on this thread saying exactly that!

[@cshepardrph]

Thank you for continuing to draw attention to these ludicrous policies of the health insurance companies. And yes the timing of Anthem’s new attempted surgical anesthesia policy withdrawal was quite impeccable! 🤔

[@redondobeach7514]

Here’s how great cedar Sinai in Los Angeles is. I went to the monte room because I couldn’t breathe, turns out I had six blood clots in my lungs. They sent me home. Seriously

[@Intelligentbydesign]

Wow, that's ridiculous.

[@ellenlockhart4494]

This is why many Americans want Medicare for all.

[@deborahdebcourtharcourt3159]

Reminds me of the movie John Q Seems like nothing much as changed in 20+ years

[@carpediemarts705]

Oh. It has changed.

[@bordereau1]

I can see people just giving up when they're in pain, very ill, and need help......those doing the denying need to produce their certification in medical knowledge. Many of these people are simply college graduates and grab an office job.

[@ronpflugrath2712]

United was using. A I to select and diqualify humans 😮

[@VitaInDC]

I have a dear friend who decided against a recommended surgery for an unruptured aneurysm after learning last week about the new reduced time for anesthesia policy, and she has BCBS. Then we learned the next day after the unaliving of the UHC CEO that Anthem reconsidered and decided against their inhumane policy. Today I read that the state of Connecticut legislators learned about that travesty and outlawed it in case any of these pirates try it in the future.

[@ivyboley1518]

Thank you Doctor for your information and concern of health care. Much appreciate you, sir.

[@irmenotu]

Hey Doc, would you ever do an information section on what Doctors do when they dont know whats wrong and none of the tests show whats wrong. I have a series of issues Ive had since 2015 and honeslty some have been resolved, others have not, but Ive learned a lot about patience, persistence and vulnerability.

[@sandyjohnson5111]

I’ve decided when your doctor tells you nothings wrong, yet you know there is, you’ve got to fight with information from reputable sources. My PCP doesn’t really do a deep dive, so I’ve been getting referrals to specialists. World of difference in being subject matter experts - which generally your PCP is not.

[@c.m.303]

Is the way they are trained... and the schools are funded by pharma. I'm on 10 years as my health has declined and the doctors are clueless. I have advocated for myself so the way to the top doctors. It's clear there is a problem... but they ignore blood work that is of because it can mean so many things, and the tests they are allowed to run don't find true health. If I paid out of pocket i could go to the doctors that will run actual tests... like for gut biom and hidden bacteria in the blood... but I'm disabled and in medicare, which is another problem. Medicate pairs less than 10% of the bill. Doctors don't have the time to spend figuring out the issues and just hand off more stuff to "try"... next. The US has third world illness management... at top prices. Often the treatment is worse than the illness. After 10 years I figured out that I probably have a neuroendocrine tumor, and my latest doctors agree... but don't have the skills to find it. I'm also told the MDAnderson clinic won't take me until they find it, and if I had the money they want. I think we are living in hell here, no wonder the son of God came to pay a ransom for us. Satan is holding us captive.

[@brodog1884]

Insurance is horrible, I have very compelling evidence of insurance acting in bad faith and not covering my medications even after several appeals, letter of medical necessity saying the dangers of going without the medication, and still refuse to cover my medication. I have had dozens of prior authorizations done over the years and they just delay my care and has worsened health outcomes for me. But unfortunately because I’m poor I can’t afford to pursue a bad faith lawsuit against the insurance company, so they will get away with it…..like always….🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rosaliaoliver-qv3gr]

♥️Thank you Dr Kaveh for being so wonderful with us🇺🇸♥️it is a bad situation♥️Car Insurance are are to♥️

[@bobblacka918]

What is the definition of a terrorist? Is it not someone who knowingly and randomly destroys the lives of innocent people who are just trying to take care of their families? Would the press be alarmed if an international terrorist were killed? So why is the press alarmed when the general public views a particular individual, who has knowingly and randomly resulted in the death of millions of innocent people, as a covert terrorist? People know a terrorist when they see one.

[@susanmercurio1060]

The press is included in the affluent class that Brian Thompson occupied. It really scared them that wealth doesn't protect anyone the way they're taught to believe.

[@unmannedflight]

I’m a UK resident and am undergoing cancer treatment which comprises 15 hour surgery, 30 radiotherapy and 3 chemotherapy sessions, dieticians, speech therapy, and dental implants together with all the relevant medications This is all provided without any charge, and the care has been absolutely exemplary. The American healthcare system seems to be very expensive - yes there are criticisms of the UK system, but in my personal experience the care has been unbelievable good.

[@jules7723]

I work for a payer system and I believe they may have been targeting surgeries that were taking longer than the average, and perhaps the idea with this policy was to get surgeons to complete surgeries timely. If the healthcare provider did not then the cost obviously would be passed on to the patient, and this could affect the patient/doctor relationship or patient perception of the healthcare provider in general and damage reputation. They told us we didn't meet our Q3 projection goals because people are sicker than ever before (based on historical data people are using more healthcare services) and the cost of healthcare is rising more quickly than reimbursement rates from 3rd parties such as CMS for Medicare/Medicaid. They are always looking for ways to reduce spend and if what they say is true these kind of policies are no surprise. I suspect it will only get worse.

[@Intelligentbydesign]

People are getting sicker than ever due to the American culture; the chemicals in our foods, the dangerous drugs being pushed onto patients via commercials and ads, the financial cost of medical care. But, the last thing we need to happen is for a surgeon to feel more pressured to get a surgery completed, increasing the likelihood of mistakes, to the detriment of the patient.

[@AustinB.3322]

Lots of times you can go to the pharmacy and if you get someone who is a tech or lower level they will tell you "we can't fill that prescription" but really it's a prior authorization issue and your doctor has no idea that you need it because no one has ever asked them.

[@yolandacaldwell1608]

we all can just stop paying for health insurance...why do I want to just put my hard-earned money into someone else's pockets? It's not working for us anymore.

[@monicapaluski2512]

I have never had anything declined by any insurance company. I have an immune deficiency and have had to take IVIG treatments once a month and this cost $7000 per treatment. I just paid a $25 co pay. I have had several surgeries and paid very little. Of course this was back in the 80s and 90s. I must be very lucky.

[@coreenaburke5378]

What insurance do you have?

[@susanmercurio1060]

Yes, you are very lucky. I hope that you can come up with some empathy for the many people who commented on this thread who haven't been as lucky as you.

[@Me-fw1xr]

Now ya know why no one is helping catch the guy in NY.

[@dawnhoughton4533]

I'm sorry, but advocacy only goes so far. The CEO's don't live in fear, maybe until now, because they buy their way through Congress, the courts, and government agencies. A little fear can go a long way. Also, the CEO's family profits from the death and misery of others

[@texasgma3578]

I can’t conjure up a lot of sympathy for Thompson. For his family, yes.

[@susanmercurio1060]

​@@texasgma3578Thompson's family profited from his job just like every Mafia family profits from Daddy's involvement. I'm not sure that I feel sorry for them.

[@matthewboyd8689]

Man had a family So did everyone that died from them using shady legal loopholes I'm with poor man's Batman on this

[@JaniceMinnix-wn3iq]

God Bless you 💙 I Wish all Doctors thought Like You💙👍🎄🎄Have a Great Christmas 😊

[@cowgirljane3316]

Medicare is 2.5 percent for admin costs.

[@altspecs342]

I have abandoned treatment because of insurance. I have abandoned treatment because of monopolistic hospital systems. I have abandoned treatment due to the ability of medical billers to threaten to liquidate my home or ability to provide for my children. Sick people are attempting to survive. If I hear ‘advocate for yourself’ one more time from people pretending sick and disabled people have help or families- many do not.

[@KJ-oon]

All I would LOVE to know is how many patients did not receive the care, medication, surgery, or hospital care to be able to have increased revenue of US$371.6 billion in 2023?. Or out of God knows how many CEOs they have with each of them have about the same salary but we now know that, one of them have a salary of 10.2 freaking dollars for one year? These numbers are just crazy to me, and as sorry as I am for this gentleman to lose his life, but it makes me so angry. Because there is no way they could make this much money if all the 45 million of their customers received ALL they really needed. Edit: all the numbers are available on Google if you would like to see for yourself.

[@jkishhabi]

I saw a list of the salaries of the major health insurance company CEOs. Most are being paid closer to 20 million. So the one that was murdered was actually being paid on the lower end at 10 million. It is, to put it simply, obscene for them to be paid anywhere near that much.

[@Emy53]

In 2007, my dad was on kidney dialysis. He had been on it for over 3 years. The treatments were not effective much by this point. We had a meeting with his doctor and he advised us that treatments were no longer effective. My dads veins were so small and clogged that the dialysis was minimally effective, if not at all. We decided to remove him from dialysis, and he passed away within 13 days. I don't feel he was killed because of lack of care. The treatment ran its course. His insurance paid every treatment and they had no bill in the end. Sometimes we get lucky. I do not blame my dads death on the doctors or insurance provider. Sometimes your time just arrives, and there's nothing more you can do.

[@LorenasChesed1beads]

I was suppose to have cervical surgery. My surgeon bailed my insurance. My surgery was approved I completed pre-op. Then he left Claremore Anthem Blue. I am still on 50mcgs fentanyl patch in pain management for two years now .

[@byhislove]

I just turned 65, I do not feel old but felt old after I was 'forced' to change my health insurance to Medicare. My premiums went up and then you have to purchase these 'gaps' to cover possible long term care if a car accident or something occurs. This is when I have been trying to downsize my outgoing expenses so I can slow down at 70, yet I've been forced to change care, doctors and navigate a complicated health system. I've been paying in all my work life, 47 years and sigh, it is backwards. I lived in Europe for 22 years, my cost was 100 Euro per month, for all care, medicines, if I had a heart attack the co pay would be 150 Euros for the entire process, including in home after-care; my friend had cancer and was never concerned about the cost of medical. My doctor was preventative focused, blood work and first leaned towards herb tenures for cures rather than synthetic medications. No one complained about the need to care for the elderly because they knew that one day they too would get older, everyone pays. sigh what a wake up call when coming back home

[@rebeccamiller1741]

Greatful to be a 🇨🇦 and to live in Canada ... our system is broken with delays , still we get that we need .

[@BreaktheCycle413]

I was scheduled for surgery in September. The first round of anesthesia sent my bp over 200. It was canceled. The hospital charged my insurance company $98,323.00. It was covered. Anyway, I still haven't received my surgery. After test, after test, after test. I now have to wait until February for another meeting with my doctor. My issue was found in May 2023. My cortisol levels are high and acth levels low. I asked my endocrinologist if I indeed had Cushing's. She said, "maybe". That was her answer and she approved the next attempt whenever that may be. Sorry for the long message. I am beyond stressed which doesn't help my condition. That's most of my story. It gets better, but I'll save you the details.

[@chercaga]

Our out of pocket has become higher and higher over the last 4 years. I have chronic illnesses that I no longer can afford treatment for.

[@TheFirstManticore]

So, the doctor refused to do my colonoscopy WITHOUT anesthehesia. I didn't WANT the anesthesia. SHEESH. I won't get another colonoscopy if I have to be anesthetized for it.

[@Woketilyerbroke]

You’re a 🌈🌈🌈🌈

[@fairyprincess911]

Way to go🙌🏽👏🏽💩

[@Woketilyerbroke]

@ that’s the weirdest comment gross 🤮🤮🤮

[@hobocode]

i got mind with anesthesia because I wake up without it or have pain break through during surgeries. I woken up or had it wear off 3 times. Honest, what's the downside there? I'd rather die that be awake for another surgery. They DO NOT stop even if you feel it all and they ARE NOT short.

[@Boone22]

Nobody has a right to take anyone's life, no matter how upset you are.

[@hobocode]

tell that to my doctors

[@lisabittinger6209]

Thank you for introducing me to the term 'bureaucratic burden', I searched it and also learnt other helpful terms like 'bureaucratic oppression', etc. I think the big problem is bureaucratic leadership.

[@MrEddieEvo]

Everything is profit before people in this country no matter what.

[@MikeGathercole]

What are the chances that we would be having a discussion on healthcare and insurance companies if this had not happened? Any? I doubt it 😕

[@onlyyours725]

Maybe we should start asking our doctor's to suggest insurance companies to us. Given they know who will be more likely to cover the services we need.

[@jacquieclark6350]

I received an email the day my Home insurance was due!!!!! That my insurance raised 52%!!!!! So I had to come with $606.00 that day!!!!! So I had to call my agent & make a $300.00 for that month!!!! 😵‍💫 😠 Thank you!!!

[@IsabelEglitis]

Thank you for explaining. May GOD❤ always BLESS you and your work!

[@jaivonmcrae2179]

I am experiencing a major issue with the workers compensation doctors. My muscles in my back snapped and when I went to their doctor they had an MRI done on my back bones and since I didn’t injure my bones, they are writing down nothing is wrong. My issue is my muscles. They injected steroids in my lower back and now I am experiencing major aching and burning in my legs and feet. I have been telling all the doctors what is going on and they just look me I. My face and tell me they don’t see anything wrong. I’m having financial issues right now and I can’t afford to pay for the MRI that’s needed to see my issues. And now the want to take my case to civil court and I’m afraid I’m gonna lose since my lawyer is not speaking up for me and my issues. Now I feel like I need to settle before I get nothing. Because I can’t beat my lawyer and their lawyers in court

[@lired70]

I have interstitial cystitis. A very painful bladder condition. Insurance will no longer provide general anesthesia for a cystoscopy. My X uroligist said for $40 bucks in his pocket,he would provide laughing gas! I also suffer from frequent UTIS. I have to be hospitalized for. I refuse to have a cystoscopy, which I truly need to R/O cancer. I have had this procedure done once w/o anesthesia and almost went into shock from the pain. My doctor has a referral started to a urologist in a big facility. Insurance companies are sucking the blood out of us. What can we do Dr. Kaveh?

[@marymacdonald2379]

What we need to do in the U.S. is have non-profit catastrophic care insurance. All the rest (non-hospital/surgery) should be free market, no insurance, let open market competition for medical care. Pharmaceutical drugs should all be made in the U.S. and be sold by non-profit companies. To make this work, we would new laws limiting torts so doctors wouldn't need much malpractice insurance.

[@rankc0614]

I'm just disgusted by all the Bullshit on healthcare, period!

[@nnnmmm2683]

Also for cts , mri, lab . Call around for price. It never occurs to people to check prices on items like that.

[@1398go]

I like your video, I think we need to be more critical with insurance companies. Kindness at times makes us passive. We have to be more direct and yes, demand change. Otherwise this will continue.

[@MEL2theJ]

Thank you again for the video 👍

[@ironrose888]

Thank you for your perspective on the insurance issues. I was going to have elective surgery on my hand from where my hand was broken during a car accident. But the surgery will cost us $2600+ out of pocket for my surgery. I’m having second thoughts and I’m not sure if I want this surgery. The surgery is on my dominant hand and I just need to cope with the pain. Our family can’t afford this expense right now. Maybe I can find a natural remedy to solve the issue. But my situation isn’t life threatening and I just need to learn to cope. 😢

[@KarenBKatie]

I'm old enough to remember when Health Insurance was affordable and covered things. Over the last 30 years, health insurance companies have gone too far with greed and shifting costs to patients. They need to reverse course.

[@robinpettit7827]

A cancer doctor refused to treat my mother, with palliative chemo to lengthen her life for 4-6 more years of life as it was too costly.

[@donnasmith275]

Thank you kind sir!

[@HoneyHush3425]

I don’t understand why Dr. Kaveh comments to me was taking out of the video. I wasn’t aware if I said anything wrong, if I did I apologize.

[@tinabaldine5910]

Alot has to deal with care after surgery as more Drs are refusing to perscribe pain meds after leaving the hospital stating that pain meds cause your pain.

[@katrinkarlsdottir]

I went with no medical care of any kind for 2 decades do to the atronomical costs. This was with medical insurance.

[@Woketilyerbroke]

UNITED HEALTH LMAO 😂😂😂😂

[@garnetrose6162]

If it wasn’t for St. Luigi sacrificing everything, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It would be business as usual for the Powerful Profitable Insurance Industry

[@katiefederotta7506]

Dr. K, I have a question. In many of your videos, you talk about people coming out of anesthesia who aren’t fully aware and pull out tubes and claw at their eyes and such.. why does the surgical team allow them to hurt themselves? If the person isn’t aware of what they’re doing, shouldn’t someone intervene? Just never made sense to me. Thank you. Ps I LOVE your channel. So informative!!

[@LOOTLESS1]

Do you know anything about red light therapy or grounding sheets for pain? If so could you do a show about it please?

[@AustinB.3322]

Hey Doctor K! I was supposed to be in this live, I had the chat open, but then I walked away from my computer. Hope all is well with you and yours.

[@kevinl6231]

Insurance crooks have no right in determining what is necessary and what is not.

[@wesleygarvin8513]

I've had BCBS since 1971. I've been happy with it but l think l might have gotten better service because I was a Federal employee. After retirement, premiums soared. And with Medicare my premiums are about 20 percent of my income goes to health insurance. Not affordable, but I'm afraid to change insurance to try to save money because I'm afraid that the coverage won't be adequate

[@MarinaM-o6p]

I WISH PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND HUMAN NATURE IN “ certain situations” . STAY SAFE AND HEALTY .

[@margestrong]

Is Anthem's CEO planning to live inside a fortress from now on?

[@JustMeeZZ]

The parent company is called Elevance Health.

[@theJenhha99]

I didn't think I was going to find a plan on the market place this year because I couldn't she's any of them that covered ALL of my specialists.... I did find one... finally... but it's an hmo... I'm used to ppo and I've been with the same company for about 10 years now and this year I had to choose a new company and I'm terrified...I hope it's not an issue because without my health insurance...I won't be alive... I need my Healthcare.

[@veronicamerics]

Thank you. ❤

[@WalkingOneLegAtATime]

Why will insurance happily pay insanely expensive glp1 yet won’t pay for simple name brand thyroid medication

[@kaarenking3215]

Who makes the call regarding assigning whether an orthopedic surgery patient has an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist? Do patient have any say?