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26 Aug 02:31

Paying Less … Without Health Insurance

by Freakonomics

(Photo: Zdenko Zivkovic)

(Photo: Zdenko Zivkovic)

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Jeffrey Singer describes a patient who came in for a “simple outpatient surgical procedure” and discovered it was cheaper to just ignore his “low-cost ‘indemnity’ type of health insurance policy.”  The patient’s estimated costs had he used his health insurance plan: approximately $20,000 (out of the estimated hospital charge of $23,000).  After speaking to the patient, Singer realized that he wasn’t bound by a “preferred provider” contractual arrangement and offered the patient a solution that saved him $17,000:

I explained that just because he had health insurance didn’t mean he had to use it in every situation. After all, when people have a minor fender-bender, they often settle it privately rather than file an insurance claim. Because of the nature of this man’s policy, he could do the same thing for his medical procedure. However, had I been bound by a preferred-provider contract or by Medicare, I wouldn’t have been able to enlighten him….

Most people are unaware that if they don’t use insurance, they can negotiate upfront cash prices with hospitals and providers substantially below the “list” price. Doctors are happy to do this. We get paid promptly, without paying office staff to wade through the insurance-payment morass.

So we canceled the surgery and started the scheduling process all over again, this time classifying my patient as a “self-pay” (or uninsured) patient. I quoted him a reasonable upfront cash price, as did the anesthesiologist. We contacted a different hospital and they quoted him a reasonable upfront cash price for the outpatient surgical/nursing services. He underwent his operation the very next day, with a total bill of just a little over $3,000, including doctor and hospital fees. He ended up saving $17,000 by not using insurance.

(HT: Jason Hirschhorn)

30 Jun 22:04

As People Head Into Space, PayPal Says It Will Follow Them

Many people know how to buy things in cyberspace. But what about doing business in outer space? That's the question PayPal wants to answer. Citing the looming era of space tourism, the company is starting the Galactic project with the SETI Institute, to "make universal space payments a reality."

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30 Jun 21:28

Can You Be Addicted To Carbs? Scientists Are Checking That Out

Researchers are trying to figure out if it really is possible to be addicted to food. A study of brain activity finds there's more going on in areas linked to reward and addiction after people drink a shake with lots of refined carbohydrates. But it's not clear how that factors into overeating.

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25 Jun 06:14

Who Can Stop the Koch Brothers From Buying the Tribune Papers? Unions Can, and Should

Rhodesdee2

Sometimes just threatening to buy the more centrist media is all it takes to get the message you want out there...

A few weeks ago we did a story about hedge fund king Dan Loeb's plans to address a conference of institutional investors and perhaps solicit new clients among the public retirement funds in attendance despite his involvement with a political lobbying group that campaigns against those very types of defined

21 Jun 22:26

Cashew Cream

by Steven Sando
Rhodesdee2

As a cheese...really? Cheese is made from dairy, that other stuff is not cheese! BUT, this is wonderful stuff, whatever you call it!

When I announced to a few friends that I was going to do this, some rushed in with great ideas. This cashew spread is supposed to be a "cheese" substitute. As a cheese, it fails miserably. As something delicious to spread on a tortilla? It's great. 

P1050145

My friend Celeste says this comes from an irritating restaurant in San Francisco called Gracias Madre. 

1 cup raw cashews soaked for an hour, drained
2 tablespoons miso
2 chipotle chiles in adobo
lime juice
salt(to taste)

Blend. 

P1050148

The original instructions say to use a Vita-Mix but I found a deep cup and my immersion blender to be fine. 

18 Jun 09:02

Woz: This is not my America

by Chris Matyszczyk
Rhodesdee2

When one of the guys who made it easier for us to socially connect with each other points out that we aren't living in the country we thought we were doubts, it might be time to listen up...

Stopped by Latin American tech journalists at an airport, the Apple co-founder says that after the NSA revelations, he questions his own government and wonders whether it's behaving like a king.