Medicare and anesthesia

[Cliffh]

I'm scheduled for a procedure tomorrow, same one I had a couple months ago.  It requires anesthesia; well, maybe not but I don't a syringe stuck in my spine without it.

The hospital called today to confirm the appointment.  While they were on the phone, they told DW that we'll have to pay for the anesthesia 'cause Medicare has decided they won't.  Since Medicare won't cover it, she said our secondary won't either.  The nurse didn't say whether or not Medicare is paying for the anesthesiologist, but judging by the amount she said I'd have to pay ($35), I'm guessing Medicare is paying for the anesthesiologist.  At that, $35 sounds on the low side for the meds.

What's bothering me isn't the money.  What is bothering is that Medicare did pay for the anesthesia 2 months ago.

[WLJ]

Did you get a letter recently they your coverage was transfer to United? I got one a month ago. Didn't give it much thought until a certain thing with their CEO recently occurred.

[Kingcreek]

Local anesthesia?
You don’t have a lot of leverage here. I’m not suggesting that someone needs (united health care) to be killed but Medicare is a universe of its own and what you get is what you get. They don’t offer much in the way of “appeals”. They are the rulers of the giant .gov health care world.
They deliver healthcare benefits at a lower cost and much lower admin ratio than any other insurance company but the healthcare system in the US of A is complex and expensive.
I had a spinal once with local anesthetic only. It was horrible and if I could have gotten up and throat punched the anesthetist, I would have.

[Cliffh]

I was just coming back here to say that DW forgot to mention that she was told Medicare didn't cover the anesthesia last time, the hospital did (because nobody noticed until they felt it too late to bill me).

We've had United for years now through a fed.gov group plan.  They moved from the primary to the secondary once I started Medicare.  It's actually worked out well for us.  In the 1 1/2 years we've had this insurance combo, this is the first time either of us can recall having an out of pocket expense for anything other than meds.  That includes a couple major surgeries, 4 or 5 procedures and more office visits than I can count.

With the new info regarding the last procedure, I'm a bit less pissed at Medicare - still not happy with their decision - but at least they're consistent with their BS.  I don't plan to fight it, wouldn't go anywhere anyways.  Just pissed about the seeming attitude of "You don't need that".  The doc should be the one saying what I need, and Medicare should just "write the check, Premium Boy"!

[Cliffh]

Oh, and it's not local anesthesia.  I get to take a nap while the doc does all the work.   

[K Frame]

Would you like one of us to swing by with the big bonky anesthesia hammer? 

[Ben]

Would you like one of us to swing by with the big bonky anesthesia hammer? 

https://youtu.be/6qh4-oZ8vAw

[K Frame]

Exactly what I was thinking of.

Last time I had anesthesia I had propofol. Not even a hint of nausea afterwards.

[Bogie]

Propofol, or "Milk of Amnesia," is what Michael Jackson's pet MD used...

[Cliffh]

As usual, the nap wasn't long enough.  They're always in such a hurry to get you up and out of the bed - Damn it, I just want to sleep for an hour or so!

Doc's been looking for the sweet spot to try a nerve burn.  He was closer last time.