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My colonoscopy by Jeff vonKaenel
je ffv @ ne wsr e v ie w.c o m
As far as I can tell, the only I have played a small part in escalating the cost of health care in America, and I condition I had that would warrant such a procedure, which costs thousands of am not happy about it. dollars, was an insurance policy that That’s one reason I was pleased to was willing to pay for it. According to see the Trump administration, citing the “secretive nature of pricing in the health Elisabeth Rosenthal, a Harvard-trained doctor and former New York Times care market,” suggest requiring doctors, reporter, in most developed countries, hospitals and insurance companies to colonoscopies cost a few hundred tell patients what they are charging dollars and are performed at a simple us—before they perform procedures. office visit. Yes, I used the words “pleased” and Rosenthal reports that over the last “Trump” in the same sentence! several years, “the high price paid for I would certainly take information colonoscopies mostly results not from on what procedures cost into considertop-notch patient care, according to ation before selecting doctors, choosing interviews with health care experts and hospitals or undergoing procedures. It economists, but from business plans would definitely be a factor. And with seeking to maximize revenue.” this information, I believe millions I do not know what my bill of Americans who do not like was, but I would guess wasting money could rein somewhere around in wasteful spending. The only $6,000, or maybe Let me give you more. a personal example. condition I had that I do not know In 2001, at age 50, I would warrant such what my doctor’s dutifully signed up a procedure was an annual income was, for a colonoscopy at but gastroenteroloKaiser Permanente. insurance policy that gists earn an average It was not that bad. was willing to pay of $433,000 a year, It was an office visit, for it. according to Merritt and took about 15 Hawkins & Associates, a minutes. It was interestmedical staffing firm. ing to see the inside of my At age 65, now on colon on the computer monitor. Medicare, I switched back to Kaiser. Ten years later, our company had Near my 65th birthday, my Sutter switched to Sutter Health. It was time doctor sent me a letter suggesting for another colonoscopy. But this time, that I come in for another high-priced for reasons that were not explained colonoscopy. Why wait 10 years when to me, I was signed up for a surgery I could come in at five? I ignored this center, where I was knocked out with email. anesthesia, with a longer recovery time. Instead, each year, I mail Kaiser My wife had to pick me up. It was quite my stool sample. If they find anything a hassle. abnormal, I will go in for more tests. Was there colon cancer in my family With the transparency on health care history? No. Was there a stool sample costs that the Trump administration is taken to see if there was a potential proposing, I believe I would have been problem? No. Did I ask for the more a more effective advocate for reasoninvasive, more expensive procedure? able healthcare. No. Was I told what the procedure In other words, I would have told my would cost me? No. Was I told what Sutter gastroenterologist where to stick it. Ω the doctor would charge or what the anesthesiologist was charging or what the surgery center facility would cost? You already know the answer to that Jeff vonKaenel is the president, CEO and majority question. No. owner of the News & Review. 8 | Sn&r | 03.14.19