The Ministry of Silly Hospitals
Check out these true Monty Python-esque dialogues between a series of hospitals and a guy who wants an affordable colonoscopy. First dialogue:
Conversation with Stanford Hospital:
Me:
My wife needs a colonoscopy: Could you give me a price on it?
Stanford Hospital: (businesslike tone)
Twenty five hundred to thirty five hundred.
Me:
You do this all the time. Can’t you give me a
specific price?Stanford Hospital: (cooler tone)
Sorry
Me:
Is $3500 the all up, all included price to both
myself and my insurance?Stanford Hospital: (businesslike tone)
It only includes the doctors fee, and does not include any additional services
Me:
So after I have this done, any number of people could then charge me any fee they like in addition to the thirty five hundred?
Stanford Hospital: (distinctly chilly tone)
I am afraid so.
Read the whole thing.
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