RE: Who's making the big bucks?

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:04:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time, sage@...

writes:

> Question - Does that amount really exceed the $11,000 plus that is

> paid to Dr. Baltasar and the clinica? I don't know for sure, but it

> is an interesting point to ponder.

>

But you have to take into consideration....Out of the 11,000 ....$2500 goes

straight to the clinica. THen $2000 pays for the stapler he uses and he gets

the $6500. BUT out of that he pays for the other 2 surgeons (there are 3 on

each operation) and the anestiologist (Sorry can't spell it..LOL)....so he's

not making huge money although compared to the US cost of living...Spain's is

less. I guess he makes between 2 and 3000 per surgery for himself....

He doesn't make as much as I would have paid Dr. Heap in Eastern

Washington...($4500).

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:04:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time, sage@...

writes:

> Question - Does that amount really exceed the $11,000 plus that is

> paid to Dr. Baltasar and the clinica? I don't know for sure, but it

> is an interesting point to ponder.

>

But you have to take into consideration....Out of the 11,000 ....$2500 goes

straight to the clinica. THen $2000 pays for the stapler he uses and he gets

the $6500. BUT out of that he pays for the other 2 surgeons (there are 3 on

each operation) and the anestiologist (Sorry can't spell it..LOL)....so he's

not making huge money although compared to the US cost of living...Spain's is

less. I guess he makes between 2 and 3000 per surgery for himself....

He doesn't make as much as I would have paid Dr. Heap in Eastern

Washington...($4500).

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:36:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

psbilyeu@... writes:

> I think Dr. B taks 4k and the remainder pays the other 2 surgeons and

> anethesiologist.

>

I think thats high....

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:36:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

psbilyeu@... writes:

> I think Dr. B taks 4k and the remainder pays the other 2 surgeons and

> anethesiologist.

>

I think thats high....

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:36:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

psbilyeu@... writes:

> This 11k figure someone mentioned before to pay up front for their US

> surgeon--is over and abouve the expected insurance payment.

>

My total was 10,300.00 when all was said and done.

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:36:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

psbilyeu@... writes:

> He earns every penny he asks. The way he consults on serious complications

> after they get home--or his diligence while you're there--many have

> commented how their medical care there rivaled or was superior to the US.

> He deserves to " come out ahead " .

>

Please also note....Dr. B. DOES NOT charge extra for complications (You'd

only have to pay for your room and equipment). He also will do other things

while he has you open at no extra charge....so I personally don't think its a

money thing beyond him making a living...and being paid a fair fee for his

services....

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:36:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

psbilyeu@... writes:

> This 11k figure someone mentioned before to pay up front for their US

> surgeon--is over and abouve the expected insurance payment.

>

My total was 10,300.00 when all was said and done.

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 11:36:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

psbilyeu@... writes:

> He earns every penny he asks. The way he consults on serious complications

> after they get home--or his diligence while you're there--many have

> commented how their medical care there rivaled or was superior to the US.

> He deserves to " come out ahead " .

>

Please also note....Dr. B. DOES NOT charge extra for complications (You'd

only have to pay for your room and equipment). He also will do other things

while he has you open at no extra charge....so I personally don't think its a

money thing beyond him making a living...and being paid a fair fee for his

services....

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 12:10:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time, sage@...

writes:

> What I was trying to point out is that while the US physicians may

> have their normal charge, what they actually receive is quite a bit

> less. This is because the insurance companies either pay a

> contracted amount or a percentage of their much reduced " usual and

> custormary " fee allowance. This means that both the hospital and the

> doctor are paid significantly less - maybe $10,000 more or less,

> depending on the insurance company. Many of the US doctors accept

> that amount as full payment. That, together with the higher costs of

> everything in the US may mean that they actually get less than Dr.

> Baltasar, especially in terms of the buying power of the money

> received.

>

I disagree...many of the surgeons are beginning to charge the difference to

their patients...that was my experience with several I called in the US.

Some make it up by doing the Program fees. I personally think Dr. Baltasar

should charge more...he was way beyond what I expected and I can contact him

anytime for anything and he'll give me his time and attention...he's always

reachable even thou he's 5000 miles away. My understanding is the hospitals

usually make pretty good on what they bill and the drs come in a bit

worse...Dr Heap said he got I think about 3000 but he only bills around 4800

I think.

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

In a message dated 8/18/01 1:40:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

serenn@... writes:

> ly, I think the ins. racket is unfair and has gotten totally out

> of control.

>

> --

Personally I'm wondering what the deal is. I think its a scam. Sure its

fine to save money on the little dr visits and prescriptions...but when

serious things happen and all of a sudden they have all these rules,

exclusions...well what is the point of having insurance. I'd be better off I

think to try to get drs to take a little more than if they'd been paid by the

insurance...LOL

I thought insurance was to make sure we got care...now I know its not

anything to do with us as people...they'll let us die before shelling out a

penny if they can find a way. I was told if they knew I'd die without this

surgery...I'd be left to die. Its not right...and I hope to get started soon

on fighting in our state to change the rules. We had a man here that had to

have a bone marrow transplant and was a single dad with three kids...they

said no way...he got on the news and someone privately paid the 75,000 it was

going to cost. He's now back working, doing fabulous....how is the insurance

allowed to get away with this. There is no guarantee with any type of

surgery so I dont buy that excuse. I think if your dr says medically

necessary...and your insurance is contracting with him...his word should be

gold..

~~* AJ *~~

Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

07/24/01 BMI 64 - 415.1

08/06/01 BMI 59 - 390.2 -24.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

08/16/01 BMI 58 - 387.0 -27.9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!~~~~

Check out the Bellingham Support Group

and my personal page at WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

August 18, 2001

Nick

I don't have the exact breakout--but

3,000+ is for the clinica, room, meds, food, ect...

I think Dr. B taks 4k and the remainder pays the other 2 surgeons and

anethesiologist.

Now, if you have to have a second surgery--that is no charge except for the

clinica for your longer stay.

I have't found anyone/anywhere in the US where you can get below 18k, and

especially for a surgeon of Dr. B's stature and experience.

He may come out " ahead " , by virtue of cost of livng--but his salary for

being the cheif of surgery at the state hospital (they have socialized

medicine) is a pittance.

He earns every penny he asks. The way he consults on serious complications

after they get home--or his diligence while you're there--many have

commented how their medical care there rivaled or was superior to the US.

He deserves to " come out ahead " .

This 11k figure someone mentioned before to pay up front for their US

surgeon--is over and abouve the expected insurance payment.

Pammi

Who's making the big bucks?

After reading the multitude of posts on who is charging what, it

occurred to me that the one who jut might be making out the best is

Dr. Baltasar.

Point - U.S. physicians are paid not what they bill, but what the

insurance companies pay. The same is true for he hospitals.

Question - Does that amount really exceed the $11,000 plus that is

paid to Dr. Baltasar and the clinica? I don't know for sure, but it

is an interesting point to ponder.

In the " cost of living " test, Spain is much cheaper, too.

Best-

Nick in Sage

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 18, 2001

Nick

I don't have the exact breakout--but

3,000+ is for the clinica, room, meds, food, ect...

I think Dr. B taks 4k and the remainder pays the other 2 surgeons and

anethesiologist.

Now, if you have to have a second surgery--that is no charge except for the

clinica for your longer stay.

I have't found anyone/anywhere in the US where you can get below 18k, and

especially for a surgeon of Dr. B's stature and experience.

He may come out " ahead " , by virtue of cost of livng--but his salary for

being the cheif of surgery at the state hospital (they have socialized

medicine) is a pittance.

He earns every penny he asks. The way he consults on serious complications

after they get home--or his diligence while you're there--many have

commented how their medical care there rivaled or was superior to the US.

He deserves to " come out ahead " .

This 11k figure someone mentioned before to pay up front for their US

surgeon--is over and abouve the expected insurance payment.

Pammi

Who's making the big bucks?

After reading the multitude of posts on who is charging what, it

occurred to me that the one who jut might be making out the best is

Dr. Baltasar.

Point - U.S. physicians are paid not what they bill, but what the

insurance companies pay. The same is true for he hospitals.

Question - Does that amount really exceed the $11,000 plus that is

paid to Dr. Baltasar and the clinica? I don't know for sure, but it

is an interesting point to ponder.

In the " cost of living " test, Spain is much cheaper, too.

Best-

Nick in Sage

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 18, 2001

Hi Pammi-

What I was trying to point out is that while the US physicians may

have their normal charge, what they actually receive is quite a bit

less. This is because the insurance companies either pay a

contracted amount or a percentage of their much reduced " usual and

custormary " fee allowance. This means that both the hospital and the

doctor are paid significantly less - maybe $10,000 more or less,

depending on the insurance company. Many of the US doctors accept

that amount as full payment. That, together with the higher costs of

everything in the US may mean that they actually get less than Dr.

Baltasar, especially in terms of the buying power of the money

received.

This is a moot point for most of us because the lower fees are

available to insurance companies, not to us if we are self-pay.

Best -

Nick

August 18, 2001

Hi Pammi-

What I was trying to point out is that while the US physicians may

have their normal charge, what they actually receive is quite a bit

less. This is because the insurance companies either pay a

contracted amount or a percentage of their much reduced " usual and

custormary " fee allowance. This means that both the hospital and the

doctor are paid significantly less - maybe $10,000 more or less,

depending on the insurance company. Many of the US doctors accept

that amount as full payment. That, together with the higher costs of

everything in the US may mean that they actually get less than Dr.

Baltasar, especially in terms of the buying power of the money

received.

This is a moot point for most of us because the lower fees are

available to insurance companies, not to us if we are self-pay.

Best -

Nick

August 18, 2001