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Patients deserve health care cost estimates

The Gazette Opinion Staff

Nov. 23, 2011 11:25 am

As we fill up our cars for fuel, we can calculate our bill. Before a company remodels my kitchen, I get a bid. Why are we not allowed the same luxury in health care?

I was greeted with a bill from Mercy for a one-hour consultation and a 45-minute follow up that had a brace fitting - 105 minutes of care brought an $817 charge.

My concerned call was cushioned that they are quite reasonable and in line with others. Who makes $400 per hour? Clearly our health care system is broken. Inflated costs and gouging of our insurance providers has spiraled us into demise.

Approximate costs should be conveyed before services rendered. That's the way the rest of the world works.

Roice W. Burkey

Alburnett

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