The insurance scheme to BLOCK surgery

[@kontrygrll01amerika54]

Anthem decided, after the United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was ended, that they would not limit anesthesia. Smart move.

[@pinkpeony5871]

Thank God.

[@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo]

That was a “life saving decision” on their part. They only did it to save their own skins from a citizen’s bullet.

[@aliceputt3133]

They also are removing the names of their CEOs and other Officers from their websites and the Internet 🤔 hmmm

[@OneAdam12Adam]

​@Zero-si3on You're the only one apparently that feels that way.

[@ellenpederson-lewis8557]

​@Zero-si3on it took such a situation to bring this out into the light of day. Where it needs to be.

[@patralink]

Insurance companies are robbing Americans who pay thousands of dollars each year for coverage and are then denied coverage while insurance execs are giving themselves huge bonuses. Disgusting.

[@spunkycat6144]

Truth.

[@triniti4785]

@@patralink Indeed. Certainly sounds a lot like extortion to me.

[@gretchensaaduddin5123]

Yup...oye veh!

[@scottjohnson8576]

Thank Obama for that. Obamacare is why insurance companies get away with so much now.

[@Pawnlust]

Vertically integrated healthcare insurance should have no executive compensated above their highest paid doctor. ;)

[@lindaarmstrongjackman9788]

As a retired Nurse, I am appalled! Anesthesiologists keep people alive while the surgeon does the surgery. Without Anesthesiologists, they cannot operate! I am sick of Insurance Clerks and unqualified lawmakers making medical decisions that cost lives.

[@evabrechtel4321]

Or are they using AI to make the decision?

[@Josephine_777]

AMEN! From a retired RN!

[@ladybugauntiep]

Thank you for speaking out as a retired nurse… you really know what’s going on… it’s scary enough needing surgery at all.

[@norina6767]

Our whole hospital system needs to go back to the nonprofit. For-profit has become the standard of care for all. That is the worst kind of care.

[@B_Bodziak]

I'm guessing the executives at the ins Cos are angry that anesthesiologists make more than they do. They think their corporate job is more important than those who save lives

[@jtchilla3519]

I'm a former case manager for UHC. Thus is true. I left because I was so disgusted!

[@garymensurati1631]

THE ONLY THING UHC CARES ABOUT IS $$$, PERIOD. THESE PEOPLE MAKING THESE DECISIONS ARE 🗑️🗑️ TRASH, IN MY VIEW.

[@Dee-ty9ny]

These Insurance Companies SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED, EVER, TO DICTATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE.

[@ironrose888]

That’s where the insurance companies have gone wrong! The insurance adjuster hasn’t gone to med school and is just looking at numbers but the doctor is looking at a patient who is suffering and needs help. I can see why doctors dislike insurance companies so much. 😢

[@MatchaCocoaDog]

That was their only purpose from the starting point.

[@franciastone5048]

They dictate everything. How about Walgreens owning hundreds of doctors' groups? That should not be allowed either. Now with the Republicans in each branch, it will get worse.

[@lynpatricia6854]

That is their current role in the medical industrial complex.

[@aliciaaced]

they hire doctors who side with them

[@ebroskie]

Insurance not covering anesthesia for painful necessary surgeries is assault and torture.

Insurance CEOs don't care because $$$$.

[@Tee19691]

Exactly. Where do you think their directive is coming from?! The DC Swamp of course. My fear is when someone becomes not cost effective in the hospital, they'll slip euthanasia drugs into our iv's and write a false note in our records.

[@KnowledgeIsComfort]

They’re busy collecting $10 million a year

[@tina-mariecrocker5687]

Absolutely inhumane

[@guppy0536]

@ebroskie well guess changed tune FAFO

[@annenelson5656]

Whoever made this decision should wake up during sugery

[@lolitaalmostgrown]

I think the intention was to force patients to pay for the anesthesia out of pocket, like we already do for dental surgery

[@AuntieMamies]

That happened to me once when I had surgery on my hip. Terrifying

[@redeemedbygrace9236]

😅 two thumbs up!!! Karma is a b@#$

[@guppy0536]

@annenelson5656 can promise you would happen more often if could get away with it just haven't figured out how. No way can put ng tube in me while awake all ready tried once that went south I freaked out next thing I know im heading to surgery

[@bubbles2868]

And be allowed to continue through that surgery with no anesthesia.

[@sheilae4087]

Thank you Dr. Kaveh for being brave enough to speak out against them. Most providers are terrified of the retaliation they would receive.

[@shilohivy4590]

Cancer survivor. I watched so many people choose between bankruptcy and their LIFE.

[@MuhammadakbarAK47]

All developed countries have universal healthcare.Including Israel which is funded by the American government. I don't care if calculus was invented by a muslim, the metric system was Introduced by a France revolutionar .Or universal healthcare Introduced by communists. Is all just idea. systematic problem need systematic Solution.

[@Pitbulloves]

Nooooo 🫨😭

[@risleisylastre8856]

Hard to even think about it …

[@karalynn4017]

Everyone will age, everyone will face an expensive scary diagnosis in their lifetime no matter how well you take care of yourself. The food is poison and oil, gas, coal, plastic is polluting the earth

[@gianttigerfilms]

Bankruptcy for their family

[@kimnoble9434]

Insurance is a scam. They do two things: collect premiums and deny claims.

[@an-tm3250]

My friend left an insurance job when she learned that denials increased the income of the denier.

[@jeanalice4732]

Conflict of interest!!

[@philliphall5198]

I agree and I’m happy they got a wake call loud and clear 😊

[@ironrose888]

I wonder if another CEO of an insurance company is next? I hope not, but when people are wronged and their spouse or child dies…. Some people just snap 😢

[@TFREE1828]

So true!

[@janicebrowningaquino792]

It’s pretty damned OBVIOUS that the greed has been and is RUNNING RAMPANT!!!!

[@AuDHD_Mom]

And the United States just voted in one of the greediest people who has ever existed as president. "By their fruits you will know them" is what Jesus Christ said, and I'm so confused how Trump won again when the fruits of his life have been nothing but greed. When I was an auditor, we talked a lot about the "tone at the top" of the company; if the tone at the top was all about profits at any cost, we had to be more diligent about looking for fraud and shady practices. Greedy owners always made for more stress on the audit job because we'd inevitably find something shady going on.

[@marymelton4146]

Absolutely !

[@marymelton4146]

Thank you for your important insights, Dr Kaveh. Health Insurance providers have become unbridled in their greed. Unscrupulous is the perfect word.

[@maryhiggins6783]

Yep.... everywhere

[@le_th_]

No. Stop blaming a random feeling. Blame PEOPLE who make these decisions. PSYCHOPATHS are running rampant, and their ruthless greed and complete moral bankruptcy is the problem. You know what one of the top 10 jobs psychopaths hold? No, Hollywood has LIED to you, they are generally not serial killers, they're CEOs. Don't take my word on this. Do a basic Google search for "top 10 jobs of psychopaths" and your blood will run cold when you begin to see...with your own eyes...how many positions of "unquestioned authority" that psychopaths (who are driven almost exclusively by their ruthless greed) are in so many positions of power and authority.

[@bosnianlady10]

I am so glad we are having these discussions. Please keep it up, this will not go away. Greed Will never stop.

[@garymensurati1631]

Agree 💯👍

[@soylentgreenispeople6029]

For profit health care needs to STOP !

[@ricktyuio283]

It’d help to, if the politicians did their jobs and represented the people. This would’ve stopped immediately whether it was for profit or not.

[@j.r.donnici6733]

Agreed, the 1000+\-% markup over cost is just as much to blame, as rising charges lead to insurance companies approving or denying procedures. Don't get me wrong, they deny way more than they should, but all are equally responsible. Then watching practitioners, suppliers, insurance companies etc all pointing fingers at each other is ridiculous!

[@CriticalThinker27]

You are wrong! It's on us to know who we are using for any service. You support the business that align with your values. We need widespread honest media. We need to be informed. That's the best way because you can't trust authority. Who do you think planned the March 2020 event?

[@kaakrepwhatever]

@@CriticalThinker27 There is no competition in the industry.

[@PaulieTan]

Amen...What would RFK, Jr do now to look into this problem? I pray The newly elected admin n his wealthy cabinet wants to repeal the affordable health care-Obama Care Medicare Social Security which we pay into such greed they have for their own pockets!

[@EELinneman]

The insurance company tried to say the ambulance was unnecessary for my father when he had a heart attack. He was unconscious at the time! Required a lawyer and threat of the news getting involved.

[@peggyannwilliams3247]

So disgraceful. Sheer greed. So sorry.

[@gregh4284]

Offer to doxx their insurance reps. That gets a reaction. From insurance reps that want to stay alive.

[@annmarieknapp2480]

God, they are a disgrace.

[@lindajones4849]

Good for you for getting a lawyer 🦾🥀🦖

[@silverhercules143]

Thanks for sharing, you should have placed the news on the insurance.

[@taritabonita22]

I just recently had two life-saving surgeries. My anesthesiologist played a great role. Anesthesiologists are hero’s!

[@Nareinc]

It’s time that we as medical professionals stood up for ourselves and STOP this insanity!!

[@hanneweber9211]

The CEO gets millions of dollars, yet the patient gets denied services for necessary services.

[@spunkycat6144]

The insurance companies are just taking money and not giving in return. Hmmm.

[@sierrahjmartinez6703]

And so does this guy. So do doctors and big pharm.

[@kateuli8481]

Meanwhile Trump gave his Entire presidential stipend from 16-20 to help alleviate the fentanyl epidemic. Who CARES more About "health"?

[@GSP-76]

@@kateuli8481 Alleviate? LOL, sure

[@Juliet475]

AND, NO TO GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE, either.

[@MonicaHelton]

This is so vile. The heartless greed of health insurance companies knows no bounds.

[@donnaatienza8001]

why are they allowed to get away with this?

[@therealdeal3672]

If you haven't noticed this is a symptom of corporate America in general. Just cut everything that they should offer that they can and rake in as much money as they can and jack up prices on everything. Corporate America has been enjoying record profits in general it's not just the medical insurance field. This is corporate America and oligarchy run rampant.

[@tulipsontheorgan]

@@donnaatienza800124 million dollar a year blue suit guy didn’t get away with it

[@donnaknudson7296]

​@therealdeal3672 Large corporations are so connected to government too. I'm not sure what that means in this situation. My mind doesn't know whether or not to go there.

[@DALDO135]

T

[@diaknight6770]

Dr. Kaveh I am a medical biller and see so much insurance does not want to pay. You are saying truth! I personally had a doctor stop fighting for my surgery because my insurance made themselves UNAVAILABLE to speak with my doctor. Insurance is about revenue and not patient care.

[@DiNY-u9k]

My daughter is a medical coder. I will ask her about this.

[@jonettesummers9390]

Would taking a advocate along on an appointment for you to talk to insurance be workable some way. I wouldn't tell them you are bringing anyone. Just an idea.

[@DiNY-u9k]

@@jonettesummers9390 That is exactly what should happen. I have thought about this many times. When you are sick or in pain, it is really difficult to navigate all that you need to navigate in the healthcare system.

[@daveshoemaker7137]

@@DiNY-u9k I used to have to go out of network for a study at a big center because there were doctors that read the studies and called you in for a consult and if you needed an ultrasound they did it then! The person at the front desk used to get angry because I had to pay $500.00 he said we never get that much with insurance companies! His boss always said I'm sorry that's the fee! I have had x-rays and studies read wrong in smaller hospitals which are very disturbing! I was in the ER twice in one week! The first time against my doctor's advice I was sent home! They told me I had fluid and nodules on my lungs! My legs and my body were swollen with fluid but they said there are no clots go home and keep your legs up! Luckily I had a home nurse visit and she went crazy when she saw me a week later! I had a very low pulse and BP and painful swelling! She was on the phone with my doctor and I went back to the same ER where I was admitted immediately! The next day a lung doctor said it's a miracle! I had to see if you're real! I said what's going on? He said your lungs are clear, no nodules or fluid! That's amazing! I said no, some one read my x-ray wrong! He shook his head yes! I had 40 lbs of fluid removed!

[@YouMatter-UDo]

When my mom was going to the hospital to get platelet infusions during her fight with leukemia a nurse there spent all of her day fighting insurance companies for her patient's care. That was her full time job after a while. Almost half of the insurance companies covering the Medicare and Medicaid combo plan patients have been dropped by hospitals due to not paying claims. I just hope people are told ahead of time before they get sent for those expensive tests that cover doctor's butts. It won't get any better with this new shyster administration coming into power.

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

As an ancient critical care nurse, this is absolutely insane. Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸 Nostrovia 🙏🌎🏥⚡️

[@HelenCamile63]

Nostrovia! I haven’t heard that for 30+ years.

[@jaigrant8078]

You are speaking the truth! I worked in healthcare for many years. The goal of the insurance company is NOT to pay!!!

[@ElizaHamilton1780]

Then why are we bothering with insurance? What exactly is any insurance company insuring, then?

[@filly3594]

It's not just healthcare insurance, it's ALL INSURANCE!

[@barbaraschmidt6965]

These corporations didn't get rich as sin by paying. DDD

[@kd7334]

​@@ElizaHamilton1780Obama Care made it mandatory. So we're stuck paying for something for nothing or get fined. Obama Care also puts the discounted services they provide on the others who pay for private health insurance.

[@GL-ck7tb]

@jaigrant8078 I was the manager of a business office in a hospital. Our doctors and the staff fought for the patient. And we won. We were willing to stand up and fight for what was medically necessary.

[@Veganbutchershop]

We went so wrong as a country when health care became a for profit venture. Health care should be about not for profit period.

[@Mochichan2]

Unchecked and unregulated capitalism reigns supreme.

[@danamccarthy5890]

It's always been for profit health care. Insurers used to be non profit like blue cross blue shield, or affiliated membership. But for profit insurers were allowed to undermine the nonprofits by excluding services and denying coverage to the sickest at a low price. And now fat cats want ALL the money so we are forced to hand it over because the government colludes with disaster capitalism to destroy our rights and privileges as fucking citizens.

[@Nan-59]

Yup!! Bernie has tried so hard to get us MEDICARE FOR ALL

[@Nan-59]

@@Mochichan2 The oligarchs own our country now😮😢

[@blackbette07]

So you have a right to someone else's labor (because it's someone labor that provides healthcare)? Wasn't that called "slavery" back in the day?😉😉😏 Y'all trippin!

[@aletarossi-thomas8757]

It's sickening that a CEO of a health care company is paid $10million. That's disgusting

[@insylem]

. . . And now one of them is dead . . .

[@kjmav10135]

@@insylemThis person is talking about the dead one.

[@7x779]

I had a friend that got a colonoscopy without any anesthesia at all because that's the only way he could afford it

[@guppy0536]

@@7x779 then they wander why routine care isn't done well one who has money and other what you just said may I ask if male or female friend??

[@puffchickpam1]

@@7x779😳😖😣😫

[@joannm5682]

TY for doing this, so tired of GREEDY boardroom decisions,

[@nova9sw]

Get insurance companies out of medical care.

[@KOZMOuvBORG]

You can thank Reagan for that. In 1961, he released an LP, 𝙍𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚 demonizing MediCare.

[@moc617]

You can just not buy it. Feel free to pay for all your medical costs yourself. This guy knows the scam and he’s out here lying. They charging insane amounts and what incentive do they have not to keep increasing prices if insurance is required to pay everything every time. The limit that Anthem backed off on was an attempt to try to get these greedy anesthesiologists to work out a compromise on their billing practices

[@Mastermodeler.]

I agree but what alternative do we have? If you are talking about government health care then you need to be subjected to VA health care and you will see what a total failure that is.

[@jtig75]

They now own all the aspects from the doctors office to the pharmaceuticals to the actual insurance policies... profit over people is the problem and if we don't something now it won't change only get worse...

[@MattMungan]

@@Mastermodeler.Many countries around the world handle it this way. They spend less and have better outcomes.

[@thebotti39]

They just reversed it!!!!!!!!!! people like you spoke up and they HAD to listen.

[@Marynicole830]

@@OrchestralOrg what are you talking about? Being outright outspoken about something is not being manipulative. When you put all your cards on the table and be clear you don’t like something that’s not being manipulative. Being manipulative would be to pretend to be on the side of the insurance companies ‘but blah blah blah’. Being against an entity and being loud about it isn’t what manipulation is. People have used the word to death, and especially actual manipulators who is it against their victims. Unless you are talking about the insurance companies but they aren’t being manipulative either or trying to get a rise out of anyone, at least not with this. They genuinely wanted to get away with a crap policy like this.

[@Marynicole830]

Pretty sure recent events really helped open their eyes to show how much they are hated.

[@loverainthunder]

Rouge Jake Glyndenhall encouraged ceo's to be more thoughtful.

[@surf6009]

They just want to push the button, see what happens. Oh ya. the CEO got killed in that one company.

[@singingway]

Just that company. There are still employer provided insurances which disallow all anesthesia

[@terrifoster8986]

My daughter's pediatrician told me that he hated insurance companies, they do nothing but make health care more expensive.

[@GenevieveAwai]

Please look up the definitions of pedestrian and physician.

[@kolonarulez5222]

​@GenevieveAwai Chill out it probably just autocorrected pediatrician

[@Ryan-wx1bi]

How does he feel about crossing the street?

[@LeftyLinda]

​@GenevieveAwai Please look up the definition of pedant. Then look up what people think of them.

[@SW-jt3sl]

No $ for Americans, again

[@maricotodiz4475]

Thank you so much for talking about this! We really need help, and to be so brave talking about this issue!❤

[@AuDHD_Mom]

I am convinced that hell is going to be so full of insurance decision makers that they are going to think they're at a convention with broken air conditioning.

[@ChristysChannelYall]

😂😂 but yes and I agree 💯

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Your claim for air conditioning has been denied. You can pay out of pocket tho.

[@happyliving1922]

Not even Satan is going to enjoy being around these people.

[@osurus7379]

😂

[@pineapplesoda]

good one!

[@DALDO135]

Hospital's and Doctors and Nurses have literally saved my life on 3 separate occasions. I can't imagine life without them... The GREED in America is out of control !!!

[@mightymouse1005]

As a nurse of 35 years, my insurance is absolutely crap....

[@bosnianlady10]

Unfortunately people only care when it impacts them. I am glad people are speaking up. Even if you are healthy now, it could be tomorrow, week from now, year from now…no one is safe from health issues. Yes no one has ever said insurance companies saved their life, they say doctors and nurses have.

[@pattyborden5400]

I had a ten-hour brain surgery to remove a meningioma eight years ago. The doctors estimated it might take six hours, but my brilliant neurosurgeon was able to get a gross total resection is ten hours. So glad we didn't have that horrible limitation back then. I've had a normal life for eight years, BTW. Blue Cross' proposal is shocking--surely no one could be that ignorant! Thank you for sounding the alarm!!

[@MedicalSecrets]

I'm so happy your surgery went well!!

[@MichelleRomero-lf1nu]

Thank you.❤

[@janharris8672]

This is what happens when the CEO is an accountant instead of someone who understands medicine.

[@anizargarian63]

You are absolutely CORRECT and I believe that consumers should get together and start law suits with insurance companies all across the nation.

[@lizbethartemis4886]

class action by 65 million Medicare covered people.

[@normacortes8708]

These CEO need to watch their backs. People are going to keep unaliving them.

[@alexandrabauer9180]

Let's hope

[@David-p9y9c]

Deny Defend Depose

[@bryonbiondolillo6545]

Free Luigi

[@613miami]

What the heck happened to words like Dead, Murdered. Where and when did unaliving come from. Another WOKE thing?

[@David-p9y9c]

@@normacortes8708 unaliving, it’s triggering some, making others laugh 😆

[@TerriChannel]

I just visited my pain management doctor who performs many different procedures and has an in office operating room and they had a notice posted in their waiting room that said, “Unfortunately, anesthesia services are no longer being covered by most insurance companies for in office procedures. Due to this update in the insurance medical policies, sedation services for the following procedures are covered: Radiofrequency Ablation, stimulator trial, kyphoplasty.”. For other procedures, there is no coverage and it is the burden of the patient to pay for anesthesia services. There is no way that insurance companies should dictate patient care. This is just cruel.

[@altl888]

Many of those procedures are now found to cause long term problems. Stay up-to-date on studies about spinal procedures. ❤ The Doctor Patient Forum is a great source for information.

[@darlenegriffith6186]

The cruelty is the point so that insurance companies can make gargantuan profits.

[@Tee19691]

Wow. They were quick put up the notice for cash only on certain procedures. I would look for another pain mgmt. office.

[@jeanalice4732]

So pelocy can be a billionaire

[@butterflytatt2]

​@@Tee19691I work in a pain clinic and anesthesia is sometimes considered not medically necessary. Not by me or doc, but by the insurance co. It seems to me that the clinic was being transparent by letting the pt know up front it's not a covered service. Then the pt can make the decision to still have the anesthesia or not.

[@guldenakdemir2493]

This is no different than insurance companies setting "length of stay"! As a nurse of 43 years, insurance companies have the length of time, based on your diagnosis, they allow you to get coverage for your hospital stay. SO many patients already avoid coming to the hospital because of the costs and if you need to stay beyond the time they set, you would not believe the amount of time we spend explaining WHY you still need hospitalization. Your healthcare is ruled by your insurance, not doctors and this is why so many of us want out!

[@Lisa-r6u1w]

They were causing babies to die kicking them out as soon as they were born but if there in crisis it takes awhile to become apparent now they had to be forced to not kick them out in the first 24 hours .

[@guldenakdemir2493]

@Lisa-r6u1w peds are first on the list to kick off because many are uninsured and require the most money with check up, vaccines...

[@moniquefleming3738]

I'm blessed to have full veteran health coverage. I knew private insurance was expensive, but wasn't fully aware the health insurance industry was actually killing people for profit. This country needs socialized health care.

[@larasowell528]

I wish we could get rid of medical insurance companies. They are not physicians.

[@MaryMerryKingOfTheWoodsIsHe]

Sorry, America said no to that.

[@Poesjewel]

we could, but we wont. u saw what happened to the AHA. they own our politicians. and those politicians are apparently really good at lying to peoples faces and getting them to vote against themselves.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

​@@MaryMerryKingOfTheWoodsIsHeAmerica did not precisely say no to it. Congress said no to single payer reimbursement with the government in charge of whether elective surgery would be covered or not. A government agency would be just as interested in controlling costs as private insurance.

[@marymacdonald2379]

We could return to free market, with strict laws limiting tort. All prices would come down and people would take much better care of themselves.

[@robertkirchner7981]

@@erynlasgalen1949 The government agency would be answerable to the voters instead of the shareholders. The voters get exactly as much health care as they collectively decide they can afford. Insurance overhead costs would be reduced by 90%. I live in Canada Our system has really long wait times for inessential or non-urgent services. This is really annoying. BUT our whole system costs a smaller percentage of our smaller GDP per capita than the U.S. and we have better outcomes and higher life expectancy. Better and cheaper are the upsides. The downside is no profits to shareholders. I'll happily invest in US health insurance companies, but I know which system I want to live under.

[@angelaharris1112]

Proor authorizations are ridiculous. And not covering anesthesia is one way to kill off your patients.

[@CarolReidCA]

I had corners cut, IMHO as a result of this, it seems. I'm not going back.

[@Eruntano314]

I worked for Anthem. We denied a claim for a replacement pacemaker because it wasn't 'medically necessary'.

[@suzqreynolds7529]

Oh nooo I have Anthem! Hopefully I don’t need surgery as a retired person and pay a huge monthly premium!

[@guppy0536]

​@@suzqreynolds7529 same here 😢

[@guppy0536]

​@Eruntano314 how did they come up with that really want to know answer

[@jacquelynbrickman2982]

I had back surgery in the 80's. The inns co. Thought my four hour surgery should have only taken 1 hour. It took four hours. They denied three hours. I fought it. And I won. It took months on the phone after traumatic surgery.

[@spunkycat6144]

That is too stressful. 😢

[@Annie-4444]

How completely horribly disgusting of them. Sorry you had to deal with that.

[@Cranilla13]

Always have. I remember watching a DVD for a college health class and they interviewed a woman who had visited the U.K. and on her trip had to go to the hospital. They treated her and prescribed her medication. Afterwards they only charged her a nickel for the bottle the medication came in! Didn't care she wasn't a citizen, didn't ask for insurance, didn't deny or put her on a wait list. Now THAT is some REAL life and limb over money mentality and proirities we desperately NEED over here.

[@pamelastutz3621]

I've had 15 surgeries, and a background in peds nursing. Anesthesia is THE most important person in the OR for me. I've already chosen quality surgeons. Anesthesia is the difference between life and death! And thank you!

[@DADVICETV]

My daughter just had dental surgery last week and had to be under for it. The process took about 2 hours and we just got the bill for the outpatient services (the surgical room and anesthesiologist- not the dentist and his work) which was $37,519.10 - I paid my co pay and the rest is being billed to BCBS. We have a problem, both with insurance coverage, medical and property, as well as the amount that the hospitals charge. I was never provided an estimate of the total cost, only what my co-pay would be. I know the hospital will come after me for whatever insurance doesn’t cover from that bloated bill. We had no complications during her dental work yet it cost over $37,000 just for the anesthesiologist and the surgical room. The dentist who did the work will be a second bill. Healthcare in the United States is out of control on all sides. We are such an amazing and wealthy country, yet we do not provide affordable healthcare. I am not certain how people on fixed incomes survive without draining their entire retirement funds for basic healthcare services as they age. I am thankful for what the hospital staff does to help, but the hospitals and insurance companies themselves are far too greedy in the United States.

[@carong.3072]

Because of the ACA/ Obamacare they will not be able to balance bill you. They are contracted to provide services- you pay Copay and deductible that's it.

[@mellie4174]

My parents survived his cancer through credit cards which then disappeared when he died.

[@chf159]

As someone who works in medical, you have to know how insurances work. The charges are NOT what the hospital or doctor expect to get paid. There's a complicated reason why this happens that medical facilities bill more than the EXPECTED payment (caused by the insurances) but patients seem to always think the charge is what will get paid

[@tabbywrenbear2171]

We "survive" by Not going to the doctor and Not having surgery.

[@norina6767]

Negotiate that price after you find out the real price that ins pays. Most likely 3,700.

[@jimfields9217]

The insurance scam is being exposed, so AARP what is up!!!

[@teriliebmann3491]

They are part of the problem not the solution

[@marybusch6182]

Aarp gets major money from united health. It's called marketing. Maybe bribery and maybe kickbacks or intertwining boards of directors. Maybe, investigations should be done. I am all for randomly generated audits of certain accounts at randomly selected insurance companies nd owners of healthcare providers. Ill never forget Bartlett and steels investigation of Red Cross. FING TEMPTATION WORKS.

[@dmobrecht109]

AARP is very liberal.

[@ChihuahuaDogLife]

Funny story about AARP. I used to work in a surgery practice as a Medicare billing specialist. As I was posting payments from Medicare and AARP, I noticed on EVERY reimbursement that AARP would short my practice 1 penny. At first, this was written off. After all, this was only a penny. After a year of this, I realized that with the volume of AARP (a popular choice among seniors), this penny was adding up to a chunk of change. I did some research calling my buds from other practices, and they had the same thing happening to them. This would add up to millions of dollars over time multiplied by the number of claims across the country. I felt this was wrong, plus I was hangry with no snickers. I admit, I'm a huge sarcastic btch. Like a mega-karen T-Rex when I know I'm right. I fought every single claim. AARP knew me by name. I'm sure I had a file as an enemy of the status quo, and I didn't care. After months of me doing this, I went up the ladder with my documents that proved this was a hidden scam. Keep in mind I forced them to adjust my patients claims to pay that penny. I would receive additional payments by check for each claim I contested. Each for a penny. One claim adjuster sent me a personal letter. Taped to the inside was one penny. They called me petty, which was accurate, but a wrong move. I went to the insurance commission with my findings. After that, my practice was always paid accurately to the penny. Yes, I am a petty btch and proud of it.

[@nancywolf3786]

AARP is complicit

[@kathryndavidson8328]

Thanks!

[@tinadavy3990]

DR. KAVEH... YOU'RE OUR HERO....HELP FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.❤🎉❤

[@johnolenczak1552]

I am a retired anesthesiologist and left the practice after all the BS, from insurance companies and the hospital themselves. Transitioned to Interventional Pain Management inorder to stop dealing with the lack of control and respect that Anesthesiologists now have. Anesthesiologist are no longer independent groups, now owned by private equity groups and huge hospital chains. These organizations really want to bundle all services into one lump sum. Plan is to capitate services, which is an incentive to not provide care. Give the system a lump sum payment, if the hospital system provides care Then the use up the lump sum payment, hence CEO of hospital like their bonuses and benefits, therefore reduce or cease providing the service

For-profit healthcare is deathcare.

[@tinadavy3990]

PRAY FOR US ... CONGRATS ON YOUR RETIREMENT... YOU LUCKY GUY❤🎉❤

[@andreah6379]

Once I read, "...private equity group," I wanted to vomit. Everything PEGs buy up, control, prices skyrocket while quality decreases. Everything. PEGs, for-profit anything shouldn't be any part of a healthy healthcare system. Period.

[@SDCourage27]

“delay, deny, defend” was the book - “deny, defend, depose” were on the casings and sadly if you look up the definition of depose….it was the actual outcome.

[@margaretthatcher6828]

Can't say I'm upset about what happened to that man.

[@YouMatter-UDo]

It's the way every society this sick and unbalanced ends. They force a revolution then try to tamp it down. Every time.

[@LillyMarz777]

Pysop.

[@Melanie16040]

Depose is also what one does while defending against a lawsuit after being sued for denying claims...

[@lillyfair8816]

Deposition is when the opposition (in this case insurer) in a civil suit gets to unleash a specialized bulldog lawyer to interrogate you, under oath, to get info to use against you should you not abandon your claim and it goes to court. Bc it's a civil case, not criminal, the right not to self incriminate (take the 5th) is not available. Thay can as aggressively and piercingly as they like grill you on anything. Summon whatever docs they want. In a medical case, make you perform tasks they want in front of their hostile medical pack. They can record it all as oppo evidence. They can intimidate and humiliate. Altho it is a civil case, if you are caught lying under oath or withholding a doc you can be charged in another forum. (charge is lying under oath). Impartial adjudicator(s) not in the room to witness the verbal aggression and weigh it in their thoughts, one skill of the bulldogs is to be sadistically cruel and invasive. (Borderline shouting at you and with a practiced expression that says You're lying) "You claim you NEED hip replacement. Bend over, pick this up. (You're wearing a dress). We can't see properly, lift your skirt. Now rotate your (67 yr old) thighs open as far as they can go. (Photographs taken by hostile strangers up close to your crotch which no one but your very recently departed husband has seen for 45 years. You are still grieving his loss). You claim you need surgery bc you find it extremely difficult or impossible to engage in everyday living. Did you love your husband? (Of course!). Would you do anything you could to please him? (Always)What about in bed? How often did you have sex with him? (Shocked pause and answer). Really? (Lying...) That's unusually infrequent for a couple your age. You said you loved him. You sound cold hearted. (You change your answer or make excuses that will be weaponized in minutes).You said you would do anything to pls him. (Setting you up for a defensive response that serves their purposes...) What pleased him sexually? What about this position? (All require some hip rotation) What about that one? (You blush) I think you're LYING. When was the last time you pleased him that way? Think about the last time you had sex w him. (You don't want to in front of these horrible people. You want to cry and throw up and keep your memories of him warm and private). When precisely was that? Tell us what you did with him. Where were your legs? (Cry. Bulldog still borderline shouting like he's fed up w your "lies". Multiple people, all male, all taking copious notes and exchanging rehearsed theatrical "Do you believe THAT answer?" or "Eeew, this person is weird or disgusting" glances to your wrenching efforts to respond, whatever get from you to defensively say what the want you to say ) Perfectly simple question!. You can't expect us to authorize surgery if you're just going to lie or be evasive with us!. What positions did YOU like? Why? (Cos it hurt my f*ing hip less, you a*hole!). You gained no pleasure? (You have a choice of telling a room of hostile strangers taking notes that intimacy w your recently lost husband gave no pleasure, or that it did. You say it did). AHA! So your hip doesn't impede you as much as you said! Now how about vaginal dryness? Tell us all about that. Did that contribute to your pleasure or diminish it? (um, Duh!) When did that start? Before your claim? But you didn't list it as a pre-existing condition on your claim (Second AHA!) (Slowly and menacingly) Lying on an insurance claim invalidates your coverage. Expect formal notice we are dropping you. Good luck getting new coverage at your age with all your pre-existing conditions (including the damned hip damage), and notes on your file you didn't leave voluntarily, you were dropped for attempted fraud. Also expect notice we are filing counter claim for all matters related to processing your fraud. I will pass this on to our legal dept immediately in case they want to press criminal charges for fraud. You don't have grandchildren do you? You'll miss them growing up if you're in jail. Or, (bc it's easier for us to just keep charging you premiums but at a suitably adjusted higher rate) and I'm doing this solely out of the kindness of my heart, I will give you one chance right now to sign this document to say you drop the case and abandon all future rights and interests in this matter. Think fast. All this has gone on while you are financially and emotionally vulnerable, sick and in pain. Who amongst us would not sign and probably, while paying our now escalated premiums religiously, anxiously avoid filing for any other future, normally eligible, health claim? Deposition is not just a legal mechanism to bring all information to the table so the opposing parties can see what's what and ideally come to informed resolution. In the hands of a skilled attack expert it is a blunt force weapon to pulverize innocent premium payers who insist on filing claims. That's what deposition is.

[@BlueTuesday-d1g]

Thank you for talking about this. It is so, so important to our country to keep having these conversations and to use this to help find ways to push for meaningful change.

[@janicebrowningaquino792]

This outrage has reached it’s pinnacle! It MUST STOP!!!! What can we all do to STOP the insane situations with insurance companies!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

[@guppy0536]

@janicebrowningaquino792 hmm repeat?? Different companies till they get message I guess also show no empathy for them I say Anthem?? Make sure to step over them to gain access to somewhere do same to 1% they done to us have a heart honestly

[@ОгурецМолоко]

Nothing basically, problems like these don't get solved by average people, it's always politicians and legislations

[@OneAdam12Adam]

​@@ОгурецМолокоWRONG. Look at history. Sadly it took violence.

[@misslora3896]

You can't stop it. The last 40 years has been spent buying up every aspect of the industry, from the insurance companies, to all the hospitals, private practices, etc. "They" have complete top to bottom control of the entire system. "They" being massive international corporations like Blackrock and Vanguard. They now own just about everything else as well... The food industry, buying up the houseing market. All of the purchasing is done under "private equity". They've bought up most dental and vetrinary practices throughout the U.S. as well.... And also own ALL media.

[@taritabonita22]

We could march! March for our lives!

[@HeyLetsTalkAboutIt]

As a New Yorker, who has Blue Cross Blue Shield for insurance, I was horrified to hear of this decision. I’m so glad that they have decided to reverse their decision. I’m so sick of greedy people and insurance companies, making decisions where doctors and patients should be making those decisions. The state of healthcare in this country needs to change ASAP. I was walking to work a couple of blocks from where the CEO was shot in New York yesterday. This is hitting too close to home.

[@guppy0536]

Well maybe they will rethink things in future 😮‍💨🤔

[@threeftr3349]

They have metrics on fixing cars, and how long it takes certain parts take to be replaced. How can you put surgery metrics to a human being in surgery under anesthesia???

[@jeanalice4732]

Insanity!

[@WalterHildahl]

I noticed that NOBODY is morning for the CEO, publicly.

[@Volundur9567]

Only walked it back after the Incident a couple days ago.

[@kimemerson5732]

IMO, the insurance and the pharmaceutical industry have become greedy thieves. Follow the money, always. Bonuses and executive salaries are disgusting.

[@AureliePoulain]

The American way. Profits before people, and nothing will change until the corrupt Pharma industry stops enticing Congress with lobbyists who enrich both. Same with the gun lobby.

[@michellegideon8342]

They should be required to have a medical degree

[@kimemerson5732]

@@michellegideon8342 and be stuck with the same level of policy we have. I'm certain they receive better, top-notch coverage.

[@alinasmith8134]

OMG! OMG! OMG! I AM WITHOUT WORDS. THINGS WILL GET WORSE.

[@lokipokey]

Anesthesiologists are the unsung heroes of the surgical suite. They have to sit and do what appears like nothing while the surgeon gets all the action and Glory. But if the anesthesiologist is not present paying attention the whole time, The patient could wake up if there's not enough or die if there's too much. They have to monitor all the patients vitals as well as their anesthesia. I've had six joint replacements in the past 5 years, and yay, I can swim and bike again! But since we patients don't have as much face time with the anesthesiologist, we may not appreciate what she does as much as we appreciate the surgeons and the wonderful nurses. But every anesthesiologist assigned to me has spent just enough time with me to understand my situation. My last procedure was a shoulder, which requires general anesthesia. When my first shoulder was done, I had severe nausea afterwards, so the anesthesiologist made sure to take precautionary measures so I didn't on the second one. For my hips and knees, I preferred getting a spinal injection. But extra precaution needs to be taken for spinals when the patient has severe arthritis in the lower spine, as I do. When I reminded the anesthesiologists of that during our pre-op visits, all four of them told me that they had already noted that in my records and would be extra careful about placement. As little time as they are given with the patient, they had already checked my records. God bless them all. I have my life back

[@MedicalSecrets]

I am so happy to hear that you're able to exercise again! 🙏

[@laulaja-7186]

The guy who wrote Firefox and Brave browsers is an anaesthesiologist in Sydney as I recall. Genius.

[@coffeegirl6854]

❤

[@JessicaMervis]

Yes they are

[@HelenMiles-yz9nz]

You are absolutely correct. I analyze patient charts for a large medical provider and the anesthesia process actually legally requires a preprocedure evaluation ON the day of surgery (brief but has to be done to ensure heart/lungs are ready preop), the anesthesia care during the actual surgery (including the start time of the anesthesia medication up to the time the anesthesia medication was ended), the monitoring after awakening to ensure they are doing okay as well as a postprocedure notation in the patient's record for the date of the surgery. All of this is time consuming but is required to ensure safe and thorough care for every single patient, and some patients take more anesthesia care time because of a sensitivity to the medication(s) used, or pre-existing conditions that require more time and attention to detail regarding anesthesia use. Anesthesia teams literally have patient's lives in their hands and it should NEVER be an issue about saving money. Shame on them for even considering the idea!

[@hummingbirdess8763]

I had to go to the insurance dept of NY because BCBS refused to pay for a surgery. I had a pre approved surgery but when I was in the recovery room, I was bleeding heavily and had to go back into surgery. Because I didn’t call them for pre-approval-they denied the second surgery. I was out of it! How could I possibly call them? It was so ridiculous and took me awhile but I did win. It was absolutely ridiculous that I had to teach them common sense!

[@spunkycat6144]

😢 That is crazy. Not right.

[@jingwills6267]

Would it be still a part of the same surgery since you're still in the hospital?

[@hummingbirdess8763]

@ they considered it a separate surgery!

[@ephermallove]

Omg I’m so sorry. I’m glad you won but holy sh*t

[@tropical5491]

Wicked!

[@paulalderman6514]

I have woken up during abdominal surgery and felt EVERYTHING! This idea is CRAZY! People who want to survive and live, will choose to continue surgery after the anesthesia wears off, because poor people can't pay the extra. Barbaric and shameful of the insurance coverages! It is so very tramatic, you do not "forget" the experience, nor the lack of empathy or gas lighting from medical staff. HORRIFIC that they want to do this!

[@bettyblevins6161]

I woke up during surgery. Was horrible. Took them awhile to notice.

[@AuntieMamies]

I woke up during a hip surgery. Thankfully they noticed right away and put me back out. It's horrifying because you're still paralyzed and I couldn't tell them I was awake

[@BarbAwb-p8z]

To be clear, no one is talking about letting anesthesia wear off during surgery. The insurance companies were only saying they wouldn’t pay for it.

[@RepentOrNrub]

I, also was so under sedated during repair to my liver from a bang bang. WTF... but they don't care & didn't care. Horrific PTSD from almost 3 years ago. At least I survived, against all odds I survived by the grace of God.

[@AuntieMamies]

@BarbAwb-p8z .....huh? Do you understand that if the insurance company won't pay for it that a lot of people won't be able to get the anesthesia for the rest of the surgery because it's expensive

[@kathryndavidson8328]

I have been awake during many of my surgeries. You are the most importantly member of the medical group. YOU KEEP US ALIVE. THANK YOU. My son is an anesthesiologist.

[@rg1whiteywins598]

Rich people will live poor people who can't foot the bill for anesthesia out of pocket, will not . Sounds like weeding out certain groups of people in our country. Rich get needs met poor get removed.😢

[@ADR-xn6dg]

They’re short sighted because who will work for them for Pennies and buy their crap IF they delete all the poor people.

[@madman53507]

Bidenomics

[@CandyGirl07]

​@@madman53507WRONG !!! It's big pharma, house of reps, senator's, CDC, DEA, they are costing people their lives & $$$$. You gotta know the truth before you start blaming Biden. Oh BTW, during trump's 1st term prescriptions were very costly

[@Jellyclaws221]

​@@madman53507 what does Biden have to do with the corrupt healthcare system that we have had for decades. it was just as bad under trump and Obama and worse under Bush

[@cathykrueger4899]

@@madman53507It is Not Bidenomics. Biden fought to prevent this sort of thing. Trump won by making people believe Biden was at fault for anything people were unhappy about. He LIED.

[@diaknight6770]

Aetna canceled my hip replacement days before surgery and we had to fight and set a new date. We are fighting Aetna right now for another surgery I need.

[@gracebe235]

Is your Aetna through your job…..or are you on a Medicare Advantage Plan?

[@threeftr3349]

@@gracebe235 Good question, it makes a huge difference in your healthcare. It seems they think the elderly is an easy target. Who is protecting them? The problem is the government allows them to do it. They have moved their obligation to the insurance companies who in turn rip decent healthcare out of the elderly hands. Must be to many paid lobbyist from the insurance companies. They could easily hold the money given for each person, until they start treating the elderly with more dignity and respect, and give them the healthcare they rightly paid for all of their lives

[@diaknight6770]

@@gracebe235 through my job. I do have a friend on Aetna Medicare and it’s just as bad.

[@LimitlessThinker]

I am so sorry! It's chronic pain and I just had a hip replacement earlier this year. Wishing you luck on that soon.

[@Tee19691]

This is intentional. The directive always comes from higher up aka govt, ceo's and investors. They give free healthcare to illegals. Stay the course and fight.

[@ruthjohnson6369]

Thank you Dr. Kaveh.

[@wilson2455]

whenever Congress has tried to introduce a Universal Health Care system, everybody screams, " but that's socialized healthcare.. ". Not only is fundamental healthcare in the U.S. absurdly expensive, a 2020 W.H.O. report stated, " the U.S. is the only developed country that doesn't have an affordable Universal Healthare Coverage System (UHCS). As of 2018, the U.S. (per capita), has the lowest life expectancy at birth, the highest death rate for avoidable and/or treatable conditions such as Asthma, Coronary Heart Disease, Type II Diabetes, Breast/Prostate Cancer, etc, the highest maternal and infant mortality, and has amongst the highest suicide rates for both men & women.. ". e.g. every Australian earning over $6000/yr automatically pays a 2.5% healthcare tax. That tax guaantees that very Australian receives world class medical treatment (Medicare For All) at any hospital/doctors office FOR FREE !!

[@RebelBuddha1971]

You were the first person I thought of when learning about this insanity. Thank you for caring; you’re one of the few.

[@grandmascamp3403]

I have had operations with anesthesia. My kidney surgery was set for 4 hours but it took 6 due to unforeseen circumstances. My anesthesia, a female, knew how scared I was. She literally laid down next to me as she was pushing in the first med and prayed with me. It was to relax me. In the or , I was happy and relaxed. A nurse handed me her phone to see pictures of her baby. It’s was robotic. There were surgeons and 2 anesthesiologists. There were nurses. The anesthesia said in unison with all the people in the room, “think happy thoughts!”

[@orangeguy3314]

Private health insurance companies in america. Are all about profit and NOT about anything else.

[@OpheliaPG]

I’m sitting here recuperating from a total hip replacement surgery a couple of days ago. When my anesthesiologist came to see me prior to surgery, I made sure to tell him how much I appreciate his wisdom in keeping me pain free. The orthopedic doctor dislocated my hip twice to complete the procedure. I can’t imagine the pain I’d be in now if not for my anesthesiologist. I appreciate the entire surgical team, on the same note, thinking about any copayments and deductibles that I know I’ll have to deal with later is giving me heart palpitations. We don’t have healthcare, we have an out of control insurance industry that not only prey on patients but place physicians in precarious situations unnecessarily! It doesn’t have to be this way. We are the only 1st world country that place profits over people. Our country should be ashamed. We have to demand change. We’ve become overly complacent in accepting the most unacceptable things. The greed of corporations is killing us all and we’re just allowing it. I’ve lost all trust in our government and institutions.

[@scottfinegan7674]

I totally agree. Insurance companies are more concerned about their bottom line and are getting more greedy and evil every day. I had medicine refused to be covered. Since when did they become my doctor. I'm sure the CEO's don't worry about this. I pray I never have to have surgery. What's wrong with humanity today. Keep up the good work

[@AureliePoulain]

It’s the system only in the US..not in Western developed countries, nor in Japan, New Zealand, Australia.

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

I am dropping Aetna after what they did to my sister and switched to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ins. because they have a huge medical footprint in my state. The co-pays are huge, but I haven't heard any complaints about denying stuff. whereas Aetna denied my sister's need for surgery to repair her broken neck twice because the doctor worded his notes on the paper work wrong. In other words, they didn't like his charting, even tho they had all the x-ray results and tests. She almost missed the window for surgery because the broken bones will start to heal the broken areas themselves and that is a worst case scenario to repair after that.

[@dod2304]

Yes! If Doctors become reluctant to do a preauthorization, then they are being limited in caring for patients the way they think they should! This is beyond "cost saving". This is tying Dr.s hands when they're supposed to be able to give you all the care you need. And deserve!

[@cynthiardh2004]

Thank you for speaking up and advocating for all of us. We need more and more of our physicians and nurses to bring this thievery by the insurance company to light.

[@colleenpengra128]

This is insanity! Last year I had cervical surgery and when the surgeon got in there He found more than what had shown up in my MRI. Surgery went longer than expected. Sooo, what's going to happen in cases like this? Are patients going to be woken up mid Surgery to agree to pay the bill? This is nuts!

[@randompetsandnuns]

No, they would just have you sign an agreement to pay for the extra anesthesia out of pocket.

[@PaulineFerguson]

The anaesthesia team keep you alive, still, and asleep throughout your surgery. So in effect, you have two teams with you in surgery - the specialty surgical team, who are cutting you open, doing stuff, and sewing / gluing / stapling you back together... and the anaesthesia team, who keep you alive so they can do that. You need both.

[@JenniferPerryMyScraproom]

It is hard enough to get anesthesia covered. Insurance companies like to say "The anesthesia doctor is not covered" Or the "doctor you chose" is not covered. I had to fight with my insurance company for almost a year to get a simple office procedure where I was put under twilight sleep covered because they said I chose an out of network anesthesiologist. Never in my LIFE have I been able to choose my anesthesiologist. I remember when BCBS used to be the gold standard of insurance.

[@jayannakelley9051]

I had a wonderful anesthesiologist! The surgeon had music playing & the last thing I remember saying is ‘don’t you have something a little more rockin?’…he started laughing. We NEED our anesthesiologists ❤️‍🔥

[@stephenr115]

I’m glad you stepped forward and stated your position. I would encourage you to write a letter to that Anthem group whose stock over the years has done very well. My ex sister in law and MD worked for then on the “denial team,” deciding when and if a patient deserves care. She made around 500k with stock options etc. I know that the only time a carrier does something is based on complaint (or what I call letter of concern). Such letters have the effect of doing away from the “you never asked” or “we never knew.” So, doc remember the power of not only the voice but of the pen. StephenR

[@CatherinePatriciaOConnell]

My surgery for cancer was longer than they thought. Can't imagine doctors stopping. Has a registered nurse and I have seen everything that you can in the hospital, Nursing home, medsurg, cardiac floor. The bottom line is the only thing that matters. That's why so many surgeries I drive by. Which is not always the right way to do things, but you can't fight insurance. I pay $500 a month on social security wages for my health insurance. A lot of money So happy that you're here.To let us know what's going on

[@thatcoloradoguy]

I had a colon cancer scare, and my surgery went 3 hours longer than planned as well!

[@TKCTSTN]

$500 monthly is not even on the high end these days. 15 years ago I was self employed & paying just under $500 for lousy insurance. Shameful.

[@michellegideon8342]

I hope you get to use your social security someday. But unfortunately I don't think it will be around much longer, but do think the government will continue to enforce the working people to pay that tax

[@Helfirehydratrans]

It’s crazy shortly after their CEO is shot. Suddenly anaesthesia is covered under the insurance.

[@altl888]

Different company.

[@kjmav10135]

It was a different company, but I think Anthem Blue Cross saw the writing on the wall…

[@TKnollman]

The United Healthcare CEO not the Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO was shot. Corporate greed in healthcare is rampant and unbelievable. People are treated as consumers rather than human beings.

[@KnowledgeIsComfort]

@@altl888But they’re in the same racket

[@mommahope5844]

Different company but they got the message!

[@normabenanzer1161]

I have chronic lower back pain. Over the last 20 years I’ve been getting my nerves burned (radial frequency blah blah.) it used to be approved every 6 months because nerves grow back. I used to get anesthesia with this procedure. I’m on Medicare Advantage now. Medicare says that now- I can only get this every 24 months. The worst part, is that now I have to do it without being put to sleep! 🤬 It was very painful! Thanks for nothing ANTHEM! Plus… I have 14 denials this year alone!🤯.

[@Annie-4444]

I know the open enrollment ended but my advice is to go the traditional Medicare route with a supplement to cover the 20% Medicare doesn’t cover. I’m chronically ill and I never get denied for anything. Good luck to you

[@AnotherYoutuber-yt6vf]

Woah, thank you for sharing that.

[@normabenanzer1161]

@@Annie-4444 I am 66 so I would have to go through medical underwriting. I would fail 😩. I’m stuck with the Advantage plan

[@lilaworley8935]

I have traditional Medicare. I'm disabled. They have approved basically everything and I'm considered a "complex" chronic patient. I am glad I never opted into the advantage plans because I hear nothing but horror stories.

[@loricagardener4826]

I’ve had over 20 and been a nurse for 30+ years. Anesthesia is the one lifeline that I worry about.

[@raustin2287]

Thank you Dr Kaveh for taking the time to inform folks. How much more sick and twisted are these powers that be going to get? I had heart surgery in May of ‘23 that was supposed to take about 4 hours but ended up taking 7 1/2 hours. Now just where would I be now if the anesthesiologist had turned everything off after the 4 hours? There’s a special place for these “people”!

[@tinadavy3990]

GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL THE OTHER BRAVE SOULS STANDING UP AGAINST evil. 🎉

[@Zoraida349]

Thanks for sharing doc!! Please keep speaking on behalf of your patients and what you’ve seen. God bless you.

[@fibrowarrior6360]

*Nobody is More Dangerous than Someone who has Nothing to Lose*

[@soylentgreenispeople6029]

Yep😊

[@wejoin]

This actually happened to my daughter when she had breast surgery and we got a bill for the anesthesiologist. My insurance was BC/BS and we couldn’t pay it and took the issue to court!

[@shelleydawson2435]

I had to get a bone sample and they literally used a HAMMER to drive the needle thru my back while under a scan machine w/o any anastasia or anything for my nerves . I shook for 8 hrs after it and seriously traumatized

[@christiewelsh5718]

That sounds terrible!!! I am so sorry that happened to you😢

[@Motherofthedead]

Dearest God! I’m so sorry. Barbaric!

[@CNP-rn3gd]

I'm sorry. That is awful

[@debbabbit9283]

​@@MacchiatoSwirlGirl Mmmmm. Sounds more like a bone marrow, or bone sample removal, but without local anesthetic to me. 😮

[@gingersnapjudy]

Yes they use hammers, drills, saws , reamers. They use massive instruments that look like pipe cutters. These are NOT purchased at Home Depot! They are medical grade instruments that are properly sterilized before being used in the OR. Bone cases are horrendous. On first glance it looks like they grabbed my Dad's tool box from the back of his pickup truck. There is a REASON for anesthesia and PAIN MANAGEMENT afterward.

[@Demspeaks44]

To think about this, and then put it on paper, is abhorrent, and then to gaslight the people when there is an uproar is just...i have no words. The greed has no bounds.

[@daylight4455]

I had open heart surgery five months ago , it took more than 4 hours, there is no way I would have survived without the life saving anesthesiologist who kept me breathing while under such a serious operation. Insurance companies need to get it together and pay the doctors what they deserve and help save lives , which is what it was designed to do originally. There cant be a time limit on surgery, because things sometimes go wrong and the doctors need time to be able to do there jobs properly without having to worry about time running out for the anesthesiologist.

[@vm1776]

I have had 6 surgeries before. One of which was a c-section where the epidural didn't work properly and I was told that I had to deal with it until my daughter was delivered and then they put me unconscious. That was a hell that has been my greatest concern with the 4 surgeries that I have had since then. When I had my last 2 surgeries, I was told right before going to the pre-op room, that if my blood sugar and/or blood pressure didn't stay within the range they want during surgery then I'd have to stay in a post-op observation room until stable before returning to the regular room. They told me that I'd have to sign a form saying that if my insurance doesn't pay for that post-op room, I would pay it. I forget what the price for that room was but they charged by the minute. for one of these surgeries, I didn't need to stay in that room and for the other I did. Surgery took 90 minutes, stayed in the post-op room for 32 minutes and while I don't remember what the cost for that room was, I do remember that the bill for that room was higher than the bill for the salaries of the 3 surgeons who did that 90 minute surgery. Fortunately my insurance covered all of it once I went over my family annual max, and I made sure that my 2nd foot surgery was done before the same calendar year ended - we jokingly referred to it as buy one get one free surgery, since the first surgery took me over the max, I didn't pay anything for the 2nd except for the physical therapy which continued into the next year. The American medical and insurance system is a nightmare but they have us stuck because it's the system we have and we can't afford not to have it.

[@Melanie16040]

And every time someone brings up socialized healthcare, one side starts spewing bullshit to convince the general public to go against their own interest. Our healthcare costs twice that of other G7 nations and we get a worse outcome for that insane price.

[@threeftr3349]

this happened to my friend. Unexpected cancer, he went over the family max out of pocket. He already had a bad knee stepped wrong off a trailer, ended up month later after a MRI had a knee scoped by an orthopedic doctor where he removed a piece of cartilage was torn and flapping. The insurance company sent out a 3 page form with questions he needed to answer. Basically the insurance company was looking for someone else to pay for the "knee injury", like homeowners insurance, car insurance, workman's comp.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

Same experience here with a C-section where the spinal block didn't work. It was torture.

[@KnowledgeIsComfort]

Why was blood pressure a problem? Were other health factors involved besides pregnancy/delivery?

[@Play_In_Traffic]

Oh, they backed it up REAL quick when that CEO came up sleeping on the street and wouldnt wake up. 😂😂😂

[@moonlim33]

All American should wake up and determine to change the corrupted medical insurance systems. If not ,we will be killed or bankrupt ed by this system, or will be a killer by frustration like this incident tragically. It is the time to think and brainstorm what we can to to change this rotten system. Thank you for your explanation in your specialty.

[@chrismann6290]

Thank you everyone who spoke up!!! They did reverse it. ❤

[@kjmav10135]

Sure, they spoke up, and then one of their ilk got executed, and THEN they changed their minds. It takes A lot to get the insurance mafia to reverse a decision.

[@InfinityHealthPilates]

This is outrageous. And as a PT for 40 years I have seen insurance companies screw people out of treatments they need because they withhold coverage for certain treatments. It’s why I left the field.

[@tracycraft]

Former pharmacy cashier. I remember plenty of people not buying inhalers due to the price. Generic epi pens were another one. It broke my heart to see this. My therapist and my insurance fought like crazy for months before the insurance coughed up the money. I seeked help with depression. On anesthesia, I want the surgeons to take their time. I don't want a deadline on the length of a surgery. BCBS of Massachusetts member here. As a Wisconsin resident, I was not set to be affected. But, I am sure I would have been hit if it was allowed to stand. Thank you for taking a stand on this.

[@yadioliver5885]

Thank you for being honestly raw, it’s appreciated

[@spunkycat6144]

We need a channel that interviews folks with insurance stories.

[@tonimoseley2395]

ABSOLUTELY !!!

[@lizbethartemis4886]

we need a program that interviews those government workers and/or contractors that review and approve those medical services contracts.

[@mikelajoie1434]

ABSOLUTELY. Thanks for your input.

[@cherylbanquer6514]

So if a patient suffers a cardiac arrest or their BP drops due to blood loss insurance says you just walk out of OR because the time spent stabilizing them caused the surgery to take to long. That is crazy !

[@theresekirkpatrick3337]

Im a veteran and have paid hundreds of thousands for insurance to have it cover 10 percent of the necessary surgery for an ulcer. Insurance is a SCAM unless you’re destitute. If not they will make you that way when you can’t pay the exorbitant cost. Appreciate your content

[@hazelwears8728]

Wow,I've been following your channel and I have to say wow! This is serious! I have blue cross,blue shield!

[@lisapriest9458]

They reversed it after severe backlash and Thompsons's death. Crazy they even wanted to do that. Oops, sorry, your out of time got to bite on this rag.

Rag will be $20. Bring your own belt or stick.

[@markw639]

I would love to see an online collaboration of the “ KZbin docs” discussing solutions to our current healthcare problems. It’s obvious from the reaction to CEO s death people are 100% fed up How do WE THE PEOPLE effect change

[@traySEESphotography]

Insurance made me wait 6;months for herniated disk surgery and made me "try" muscle relaxers before approval

[@judynickens6329]

Same here. 6 months. Insurance wanted physical therapy and meds, and more. Then it took a month for preauth. It was a nightmare !!

[@Silvery12]

I work for a spine surgeon. BCBS requires 6 weeks of physical therapy before getting an MRI. Occasionally a plan won’t require this for the MRI but then if an injection is ordered or surgery scheduled then it will get denied at that point for lack of therapy. Depending on the plan, a patient will need a new MRI either every year, 18 months or 2 years. There are so many hoops to jump through. And they blame the healthcare providers and give false info to the patient so patients think we are scamming them. It’s awful. And then people like you have to wait a very long time for treatment when u had a disc pushing on your nerve. They all should have to work with a severely herniated disc. Sorry for the rant, I hate the insurance companies.

[@Keep-on-ok]

@@Silvery12I went through that too. I had to go through 6 weeks of physical therapy prior to being able to get an MRI. The physical therapy was very painful. I finally got the MRI that showed bulging disks in my back causing nerves to be pinched.

[@lucycantor1081]

Dr Kaveh it’s not right that the health care industry isn’t going to let people claim for you as you guys are the most important people in the surgical team. As a young adult in Australia (I’m 65 now) when I had health insurance I never once got a bill from the gas guy, just the surgeon and his assistant, always thought the government paid the rest of my hospital bill, my bed was paid for by my health insurance. Thank you for your very informative videos. 😢 Have a wonderful Christmas to you your wife and your fur babies. Want to see more of those 3 little darlings please.