Why does a 15min cardiovascular test cost $2k ?

[Casawi]

any good reason?
Got one done this morning and they asked me to come up with a reason why I needed, so my insurance covers it. Otherwise she said $2K.
I thought she said $200 at first, and she was like no no ... 2 thousands. I was ready to step off that machine, untill she told me I was all good.

 

[Anubis]

yes lots of good reasons

 

[pontifex]

they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

 

[skace]

So did you pass the test?

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

Yeah is unfordable if you don't have insurance. I mean I have no idea how poor people get health care, how could one pay that.
Back home you may have to wait a month before you get on that machine, but it is free.... I am not trying to get into the whole health care issues, but it is somewhat scary how much things cost and how many people don't have insurance.

 

[rocadelpunk]

emergency room. ^

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: skace
So did you pass the test?

The lady was impressed with my results. My heart rate plateaued before the last level at like 218-222. I did the hardest test there too, made it thru the 15mins (she said most people don't).
It pays off to be active, and it feels good to know I am healthy.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

Yeah is unfordable if you don't have insurance. I mean I have no idea how poor people get health care, how could one pay that.
Back home you may have to wait a month before you get on that machine, but it is free.... I am not trying to get into the whole health care issues, but it is somewhat scary how much things cost and how many people don't have insurance.

Easy, if someone uninsured shows up, they don't charge $2k. They work out something affordable. If they know you have coverage, the price goes up.

 

[sdifox]

they want to make sure you are not a repeat customer, if the test doesn't kill you, the bill will.

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

Yeah is unfordable if you don't have insurance. I mean I have no idea how poor people get health care, how could one pay that.
Back home you may have to wait a month before you get on that machine, but it is free.... I am not trying to get into the whole health care issues, but it is somewhat scary how much things cost and how many people don't have insurance.

Easy, if someone uninsured shows up, they don't charge $2k. They work out something affordable. If they know you have coverage, the price goes up.

Really. Wow I wonder why insurance prices go up and people can't afford it anymore.

 

[spacejamz]

probably the same reason that two aspirin cost $10, a compress (ziploc bag with ice) was $20, ace bandage was $20 and a pair of crutches was $100...these were prices for a visit to the ER back in 1998 when I sprained my ankle playing volleyball...not sure what the going rate is now..

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

Yeah is unfordable if you don't have insurance. I mean I have no idea how poor people get health care, how could one pay that.
Back home you may have to wait a month before you get on that machine, but it is free.... I am not trying to get into the whole health care issues, but it is somewhat scary how much things cost and how many people don't have insurance.

Easy, if someone uninsured shows up, they don't charge $2k. They work out something affordable. If they know you have coverage, the price goes up.

Really. Wow I wonder why insurance prices go up and people can't afford it anymore.

because insurance companys are greedy fuckers and want more money

 

[Kelemvor]

Because of the wonderful health system we have in the good old US of A.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

Most of those machines are leased and are a fixed cost per month regardless of how many times they use it. SO if the hospitals and such did more of them, they could then charge less for each one and come out ahead. But of course they'd rather do more of them and still charge more anyway to make even more money....

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Casawi

Originally posted by: pontifex
they gotta pay off the machine somehow...

Yeah I figured that, but how much could that machine cost ? It will pay itself off at a cheaper price, no?

IDK about a cardio machine but things like MIR and CAT scan machines cost many many millions which is why those tests cost a lot

Yeah is unfordable if you don't have insurance. I mean I have no idea how poor people get health care, how could one pay that.
Back home you may have to wait a month before you get on that machine, but it is free.... I am not trying to get into the whole health care issues, but it is somewhat scary how much things cost and how many people don't have insurance.

Easy, if someone uninsured shows up, they don't charge $2k. They work out something affordable. If they know you have coverage, the price goes up.

Really. Wow I wonder why insurance prices go up and people can't afford it anymore.

This is what happens when you're the only developed country without universal healthcare

 

[zinfamous]

machine cost and labor expertise all figure into the time. Consider how much a professional (and very good; not Geek Squad caliber) computer repair will cost. While it may take an experienced person a few minutes to diagnose and repair the problem, the repair can be costly b/c of the knowledge and training that goes with that repair. 20 minutes to an experienced professional could be an entire day to the novice....these kind of factors influence cost quite a bit.

Same with Doctors. Who would you trust analyzing your cardio test?

Also, the cost of insurance (malpractice) as the physician's and hospital's expense goes into the patient's bill. Ironic, no? Insurance won't cover the "non-essential" test, but has a major influence in driving up its cost.

Also consider the yearly number of uninsured patients that go in for emergency care and never pay the hospital. All of these factors drive up cost for everyone else.

Bottom Line: Insurance companies have fucked our system. No way around it.

 

[tw1164]

Did you shop around?