Dementia in the Federal prison system

[Northwoods]

Then there are companies that do what is called "balance billing".
My elderly mother had to be transferred from an assisted care facility to a nursing home.  We recently got a bill from the ambulance company for over $300 above what they have already been paid by Medicare and her health plan.  I contacted the insurance company (United Health Care) twice about 2 weeks apart.  That's where I learned that term "balance billing" which they told wasn't "kosher" as the ambulance has a contract where they are supposed to accept Medicare's limitations.  The UHC rep did not flat out say that what the ambulance company was doing was illegal, but strongly hinted at that.  The rep said they would send a "cease & desist" letter but that was about all they could do.

I got a check for over $300 from the urologist that did my vasectomy.  No idea why.  But I cashed it.

[Ben]

Talking about "up front pricing", I got an email for Amazon Clinic today. I haven't researched it, but on the face of it, it sounds interesting:

https://clinic.amazon.com/?ref_=EM_ACQ_DM

Kind of a weird bag of conditions they cover though. Seems like a lot of "embarrassed to see a brick and mortar doc" stuff.

Say hello to Amazon Clinic: Virtual healthcare that fits into your life. When common health problems pop up, we’ll help you handle them without travel, appointments, or insurance.

Choose a concern (like sinus infections, erectile dysfunction, or anti-aging ) and we’ll connect you with an online doctor or nurse practitioner who can assess your condition, prescribe necessary medications, or renew a prescription within hours. Plus, you’ll know the price of a visit upfront—no bills later.

[Ben]

More on hospital costs. I'm guessing Millcreek knows valid reasons for the charge, such as nurse supervision, but "$39.35 to hold your baby" probably isn't the best optics. 

[JN01]

I got a check for over $300 from the urologist that did my vasectomy.  No idea why.  But I cashed it.

It was to put towards your upcoming child support bill.

[Northwoods]

It was to put towards your upcoming child support bill.

Given I had it after swmbo’s tubal ligation failed …