Its over, the Dems win

[Excaliber]

The question Anthony, and others are asking, is this.

IS UCMC dumping patients? Of course that is illegal. AND there are calls for a Congressional investigation of these accusations (by Republicans without a doubt)! I say "Bring it on." Let's get it out in the light and address these serious accusations. When the smoke has cleared and UCMC is found not guilty, let's take the NEXT STEP. Institute this kind of program across the country and specifically deal with the ER issues that are so expensive to health care in general.

...POSSIBLY with the INTENTION OF DIVERTING UN-INSURED PATIENTS TO OTHER HOSPITALS

But wait, Dante DID have insurance. So, whats really going on here?

By the way, I offer this:

It’s legal to transfer patients from one emergency room to a clinic, another hospital or a government-run system like Cook County’s without treating them.

But of course, we know Dante WAS TREATED ANYWAY by UCMC before being transferred!

Anthony, would you like to join us for dinner?

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

The question Anthony, and others are asking, is this.

IS UCMC dumping patients? Of course that is illegal. AND there are calls for a Congressional investigation of these accusations (by Republicans without a doubt)! I say "Bring it on." Let's get it out in the light and address these serious accusations. When the smoke has cleared and UCMC is found not guilty, let's take the NEXT STEP. Institute this kind of program across the country and specifically deal with the ER issues that are so expensive to health care in general.

And the answer is something like this, from the little I have read. What U.C. has implemented is I think technically legal, to ADVISE patients of closer options for medical care, and not directly send them to other imstitutions. After being informed of the other optional facilities, U.C. possibly hopes the patients will then follow-up with care at these other institutions instead of back at U.C. I do not know of any other institution that makes an effort to EDUCATE patients about other institutions.

Is this patient dumping?

Do you think the lawyers, I mean the government, will think it is patient dumping?

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

But wait, Dante DID have insurance. So, whats really going on here?

What is really going on is since that Medicaid insurance pays so little, when they pay, many people (doctors and hospitals) view Medicaid insurance as a money loser, kind of like a level 1 trauma center. So treating people on Medicaid is almost like treating people who are un-insured.

Many doctors choose to opt out of that plan, and require these patients to pay them cash rather than agree to accept whatever Medicaid is willing to pay.