high cost of healthcare

[Guest guest]

I just read the post about the high cost of healthcare in the U.S. I

agree with the writer's position that we do need a program. I was inspecting

my latest bill from MSKCC the other day. I went there in July for my cml

check up, which I do every three months. I saw a cml specialist who has an

office located in the hospital, had bloodwork, and was there a short time

since everything is fortunately going very well. The total of my bills is

over FIVE THOUSAND dollars for that one visit! It is all being considered by

insurance at this time, but I did have to immediately send $177.50 out of

pocket for my co-pays for the dr. who saw me and for all the other doctors

I've never even heard of who checked my pcr and other bloodwork. I feel my

ins. ends up getting charged double for some services. For instance, the

dr. who sees me briefly charges $270 for that visit, then the hospital

charges $149 for the use of the office she sees me in! When I read through the

charges it amazes me. All the technicians charge for examining the blood

and the hospital charges for the facility that they use to examine it in.

It just doesn't seem fair. That doesn't even count the cost of the Tasigna

that I take at 800 mg. per day. Something must be done to keep these

costs down. I am very, very thankful for my health insurance.

in NY