Cyst removal then & now

[Knight]

I have a Medicare advantage plan, I understand why health care in America is off the rails. Not for me but others.

3 years ago while at my PCP for my annual check up I mentioned I has a strange lump starting on my back. He said I had a cyst starting & he could remove it. He did & his assistant finished with bandaging & send the core for cancer biopsy. 2020 during annual checkup noted another lump starting.

Way different. My PCP no longer allowed to remove it. What comes next is why health care in America is so costly. Not for me I don't have to pay for anything.

During wait for referral appt. appointment the lump became abscessed so a visit to urgent care was needed. That cost zero for me but the antibiotics cost $15.00 co pay

Finally referral came thru.

1. Referral to skin & cancer center for consultation on lump.
1a. Yes you have a lump it's a cyst.
2. Referral to a surgeon for consultation & confirmation.
2a. Yes you have a cyst.
3. Script to get pre op blood work done
3a. got blood work done no cost to me
4.script to get EKG done
4a. no cost to me EKG done good to go.
5. Surgery center
5a. check in nurse checks paper work gets me ready for the anesthesiologist to explain what he will do.
5b. Surgeon explains what the procedure will entail & how long recovery from anesthesia should take if no complications.

Went from total of 15 minutes in the PCP office to trips, to waiting time, multiple tests, nurses, surgeons. & medical center costs.

 

[win231]

Yup, everybody wants a piece of the action. And they know how to get it.

 

[Jeni]

While some may not agree..... the biggest cost driver in healthcare and most likely the reason your PCP provider no longer does the removal .... is liability.
Any item like a lump that could go two ways seems to always be referred to specialist etc just in case .... I really wish doctors were like when i was growing up where they primary care doctor could practically do it all for you at a basic price .....not layers upon layers of extra CYA tests and specialists etc.

The option that would save tons of money is tort reform.....

 

[Don M.]

We have a health care system that is primarily driven by Money. I can just imagine what this Corona Virus is going to do to future costs. Once the virus is brought under control, the insurance companies are going to take steps to recover their losses....several times over.

 

[JB in SC]

My dermatologist does his own surgeries, typical non cancerous cyst or lump = two visits