tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post3070838416816217331..comments2024-03-29T06:23:30.454-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: One of these three is not like the othersPaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-55638796826183009402013-06-03T09:09:45.415-04:002013-06-03T09:09:45.415-04:00Medicare moves forward because big business is mak...Medicare moves forward because big business is making millions from it - no other reason. The politicians are fronts for those companies (aka robotic surgery companies, health IT companies, etc etc etc) and hospitals have to play the game the way they set the rules to survive for the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-35113839909500336442013-06-02T08:44:14.527-04:002013-06-02T08:44:14.527-04:00I’m told that hospitals make much of their profit ...I’m told that hospitals make much of their profit from surgical procedures, cancer treatment and outpatient services. There is a lot of other care that takes place within hospitals that is not very profitable or even consistently loses money. For profitable services like proton beam therapy, hospitals understandably want as much of that business as possible but in the case of proton beam, a very large capital investment is required up front before treatments can begin. <br /><br />Moreover, doctors who have a choice in which hospitals they refer their patients to like to have access to the most modern equipment and the most up to date operating and procedure rooms. Keeping them happy and referring their business to particular hospitals is an important factor that drives the medical arms race.Barry Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-82453215367867737252013-06-02T05:48:42.753-04:002013-06-02T05:48:42.753-04:00I wish someone would explain how CMS came to reimb...I wish someone would explain how CMS came to reimburse this treatment at such an elevated rate. They are basically driving all of this construction all by themselves. Does anyone understand this process?<br /><br />nonlocalAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-85519050079760197532013-06-01T22:04:05.836-04:002013-06-01T22:04:05.836-04:00Having a duplication of extravagant equipment with...Having a duplication of extravagant equipment within close proximity of each other is outrageous. Perhaps they should study the formula used by the U. S. zoos; they spread animals around to ensure that endangered species will continue on, and they work together, no politics involved, just work for the good of the animals and the people of the world who love them. No competition there and there should not be competition to outdo one another in patient care either.Dottyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03266944247964905839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-50875833851980914662013-06-01T19:30:02.291-04:002013-06-01T19:30:02.291-04:00Perhaps the private Medicare Advantage plans could...Perhaps the private Medicare Advantage plans could adopt reference pricing for proton beam therapy and back it up with their best detailed evidence that shows proton beam therapy is no more effective than well established, less expensive alternative approaches. The same private insurers could do the same for policies that cover commercially insured members that are not yet eligible for Medicare.<br /><br />While the folks at CMS may be feel the need to be responsive to powerful special interests that benefit from the status quo, private insurers have customers interested in affordable insurance and shareholders looking for a reasonable return on their investment. Eliminating grossly overpriced services, tests and procedures that are no more effective than much less expensive alternatives would further both objectives.<br />Barry Carolnoreply@blogger.com