Health

yardwork

(66,944 posts)

26. There was probably a very good reason.

Thu Jan 9, 2025, 02:48 PM

Jan 2025

If the surgeon hadn't taken the call, it's very possible the insurance company would have refused to pay, leaving the patient with tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills.

It happens all the time.

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TheRickles Bluebelle76 mwooldri

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'Out of control': Cancer surgeon claims UnitedHealthcare questioned her mid-procedure [View all] cbabe Jan 2025 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author onecaliberal Jan 2025 #1

Put that insurance worker in jail. ....he would murder the patient. Trueblue1968 Jan 2025 #34

Insurance is out of control, yes; but why did the surgeon take the call mid-procedure? unblock Jan 2025 #2

Don't know why the surgeon took the call. Could be cbabe Jan 2025 #3

I think once the procedure has started, they should finish it and resolve any insurance matters after unblock Jan 2025 #6

That sounds correct and medically best. Until lawyers and money people stick their noses in. Which is the stupid cbabe Jan 2025 #8

It's amazing how some people want to put the onus on the healthcare provider. . . UniqueUserName Jan 2025 #10

Yeah. Poor judgement. I wouldn't want her as my surgeon for anything more than a hangnail. 3Hotdogs Jan 2025 #38

I agree in principle, but there's a major power disparity in play here that can't be ignored. ShazzieB Jan 2025 #39

That's for sure, it's an incredibly f*cked up way of delivering healthcare unblock Jan 2025 #40

We have that luxury. This doc was protecting the patient mahina Jan 2025 #20

There was probably a very good reason. yardwork Jan 2025 #26

How is a partial procedure billed?? unblock Jan 2025 #28

I'm not sure I understand your question. yardwork Jan 2025 #32

So what happens if half a surgery takes place, then is put on hold for more insurance questions. unblock Jan 2025 #35

The insurance company probably wouldn't pay at all. yardwork Jan 2025 #36

Exactly Unladen Swallow Jan 2025 #33

While I don't want to criticize the surgeon, but she was not "asleep!" She was under GD ANESTHESIA!!! hlthe2b Jan 2025 #4

I'm sure the surgeon fully understands the terms, but I'll give them a pass when talking to a reporter unblock Jan 2025 #7

Seems kinda mean to pick on the surgeon for word use when insurance cbabe Jan 2025 #9

Give me a damned break. I did not remove the insurance idiot's responsibility, but the surgeon hlthe2b Jan 2025 #12

"under anesthesia" is beyond your understanding? REALLY? hlthe2b Jan 2025 #13

Of course I understand it. Just saying either the surgeon or the reporter or the editor might have dumbed it down unblock Jan 2025 #18

your misintepretation is beyond the pale, cbabe... hlthe2b Jan 2025 #16

What the hell? I never even implied that the surgeon did NOT understand the terms. WTF? hlthe2b Jan 2025 #11

Ummm. Ok. Bye now. cbabe Jan 2025 #15

Gratefully... hlthe2b Jan 2025 #17

I think you're reading much too much into some of the posts on this thread. unblock Jan 2025 #22

I am talking about what the surgeon said to the insurance official, not a reporter. It is the surgeon's hlthe2b Jan 2025 #23

I have no particular insight into that conversation except the surgeon's account as filtered through the reporting unblock Jan 2025 #24

The title of your #4 had me confused -- progree Jan 2025 #19

Yes... Thank you for taking the time to read & think about it rather than make the accusations hlthe2b Jan 2025 #21

UHC is lying, they knew exactly what they was doing with this case. Irish_Dem Jan 2025 #5

"Collins described crying .. while handling calls from desperate patients, as supervisors laughed." [UnitedHealthcare] progree Jan 2025 #14

Americans don't have to stand for this. yardwork Jan 2025 #25

Doesn't surprise me in the least Jilly_in_VA Jan 2025 #27

And their stock was $8 up yesterday, and touted as a "market leader" Bristlecone Jan 2025 #29

Fucking gross abuse of power. Evolve Dammit Jan 2025 #30

This is an example of folks unable to say no. Whoever LuckyLib Jan 2025 #31

I think I would second-guess the insurance company before I second-guessed the doctor. But that's just me. NBachers Jan 2025 #37

Drop everything you're doing and talk to me, an insurance agent !!! KS Toronado Jan 2025 #41