Impossible to Understand

On December 7, I had full knee replacement at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) which is the premier hospital for orthopedic surgery in the nation. Needless to say, if you want an average orthopedic surgeon or you want the surgery to be completely paid for by insurance, this hospital is not for you.

Susan and our good friend Judith were in the large waiting room during my surgery and overheard a conversation between a Mother and a representative of an ice machine company. I used the machine when I had rotator cuff surgery and it is an incredible piece of equipment that circulates ice water around the surgical site after you leave the hospital.

The Mother was waiting for surgery to be performed on her son and almost all of the surgeons at HSS request that the patient rent the ice machine for a month which is conveniently picked up at the hospital before going home.

The Mother became indignant talking to the ice machine representative and the first question that she asked is, "WILL MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAY TO RENT THE MACHINE?"
Now I know that you are asking yourself is how much the cost of renting the machine is going to be.
$10,000?, $5,000? $500? How much money are we talking about to make your child heal faster and be more comfortable?

THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR DOLLARS...$324!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember that the Mother was sufficiently concerned about her son's health and well-being to select the NUMBER 1 ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY and is now concerned about spending $324.

I don't understand...THIS IS HER SON THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND NOT ORDERING A BOTTLE OF WINE.

Where are our priorities, our common sense, our concern for what is important?

You already know what  MY first question for the ice machine representative would have been.

" IS THIS THE BEST WAY TO TAKE CARE OF MY SON?"

I am beginning to think that we have lost our way as a nation and we may never find the right path again.

If the first question that I am asked by a patient who is coming to my office for a consultation or a second opinion is "Will my insurance company pay for this treatment?" then I know that the patient is not seeking excellence and will not become one of our patients.