What's Wrong With the American Medical System?
by Valarie Murphy
I haven't written since March as I've finally started feeling better and branched out my community of interest to include a little political dabbling. I suffered the heartbreak of the political world this year but will go on and look for a better day.
I got a PICC line placed and started on IV Rocephin on May 24, 2010.
This is what's wrong with the American medical system:
For four weeks:
$19,320 = infusion company billed to Blue Cross (including $9,804 for the medication)
$4,658 = allowed as "reasonable" by Blue Cross (including $2,178 for the medication)
$932 = my cost (20%)
Not long after I reached my $6,000 deductible, Blue Cross dumped me off. After the dump, my only choice was to go shopping. I found everything I need, including the medication and all IV supplies for $326 per month. Some of the supplies come from my neighborhood pharmacy, and some from the Internet.
I reduced my share of the national health care bill by a whopping 93%. I did it by shopping carefully, spending my own money, and being able to operate in a free market, unrestrained by government. Surely, those from whom I buy are making a profit or they wouldn't be selling. The initial infusion company was not only making a fair profit, but was absolutely taking insurance (and Medicare) for a ride. My sense is the slush fund we call Medicare has destroyed any sense of sanity in American health care.
Government and insurance companies like Blue Cross base their decisions on the guidelines written by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). IDSA denies that late-stage Lyme exists, and that any Lyme, regardless of how sick the person is or how long she has been sick, is treated with just four weeks doxycycline. Period!
Interestingly, IDSA's guidelines were challenged by the Connecticut Attorney General. He found many irregularities in their writing and found numerous conflicts of interest. Some of the conflicts included various panelists who advise insurance companies and testify for them against Lyme-literate physicians. The group was required to hold new hearings and reconsider. No Lyme-treating physicians were allowed to participate. We don't have to wait for Obamacare death panels. They are already here.
Fortunately for me, there is an opposing group, International Lyme and Associated Diseases Association (ILADS), that understand late-stage Lyme and contends that it can indeed be treated. This group understands that the longer someone has been sick, and the sicker the person is, the longer treatment is going to take. The good people from this school of thought have given me a chance for life.
God bless them, and God bless America.
