No Freaking Wonder Health Care Costs are Sky High

Item: Shoes without internal seams needed for my big ass feet. My feet hurt.

Go to Podiatrist (nice guy), says I need diabetic shoes.

Go to an orthopedist on my plan.

Diabetic Shoes at Orthopedist: $200.00 for Shoes, $200 each for 'orthodontics.' $800.

Orthodontics? $200 and I need 3 sets? Why?

"Because they wear out." Duh, but OK, I've worn my $100 chiropractor-fitted orthodontics for about five years now and the glue holding the spongy-junk on top is disconnecting with the leather bottom.

These $200 shoes are wide enough, right? "Yes."

Wait two weeks (!)

The orthodontics are 1/4" flat pads.

I look questioningly at the orthopedist, "they'll shape with your foot."
I explain to this health care 'professional,' this is not an orthodontic. You didn't taker a cast of my feet while I was standing, they're not blue, they're not about  1/2" thick rubber-link material for cushioning.

These are 1/10th inch felt. If I wanted them to mold to my foot, I'd buy clay. I want something that'll help my posture and my aching back.

"They are what they are, Mr. Witt."


If I hear that stupid line one more time....
The shoes are too narrow.They're rubbing against my outer toes,

"We got you the widest they make."

I told you three times I have really wide feet.

"We can put them on the widening machine."

Hold it.

I saw that episode of the Dick Van Dyke Show, you're going to use a broom.

"No, it's a real machine."

Lemme see it.

"Sorry, insurance won't cover you in the machine room."

Yeah. Right. All right. Give it try. OK.

 (Ten minutes pass to the second).

I try them on again.

They're still rubbing my left foot.

My left foot has been almost totally numb for more than a year. This is one reason I want good shoes.

Some vertical bra is pushing on a emphatic node in my back, squeezing the nervous system until it bleeds nerves. Or something...

So my bad foot feels like the shoe doesn't fit. They're $200 shoes...$300 if you count the fancy felt lining.

Right. Send the $800 shoes back.

"We already billed and received the claim from your insurance."

Then send them a refund.

I had to call Blue Cross because those thieves actually made the claim before I got the shoes and that company's claim was already posted to my account. It felt like going to the neurologist. I felt he was more interested in my co-pay than in my back and neuropathy.

  Figure 1a: You thought I was kidding, didnja?

Yeah. Kinda like going to a chiropractor- when you call for an appointment no a days, they want your VISA number before they'll even set up an appointment.
I am sooooo glad there's a new university out my way making more of these people.

Palmer method my ass.

Well, we could write these things off as bad egg, but I needed a new strap for my Sleep Mask.

I went in, showed the receptionist the strap.

It only fits only one style of A-PAP/C-PAP mask. Sleep Apnea machine stuff. It works.

The mask keeps slipping off even when the strap worked.

She typed for 45 minutes.

I use a keyboard all day. Never for that length of time. Never stopped for a breath.

I said, Really? for a $5 strap?

"I was billing your insurance."

But I haven't bought anything yet.

"Oh, you're self-paying?"

I suppose you can call it that.

In olden days we called it retail commerce.

I give you money and you give me what I picked out.

(ten more minutes of typing).

"That'll be $38.12, please."

How much?

"$38.12"

Really?

"That's what the computer says."

No, really, this is only two cut bands of elastic cut in a V with velcro ends.

"Yes, Mr. Witt, I know. That'll be $38.12"

Thanks, but no thanks.

The reason they can get away with this crap is because someone else is paying the freight. And because someone else is paying for it, no one gets indignant, combative or huffy or outraged (like me). Our third party payers threw in the towel years ago.

It's not like I was buying syringes or, forgive me, alcohol wipes. The mail order pharmacy charges $10/box. I found them this morning at Walgreen's for $2.67. Why dies it cost $10 for alcohol-soaked paper in tin foil?
So, I'm going to ask my wife to sew two pieces of elastic together and plop Velcro on the ends.

I bought the Walgreen's wipes because I'm too lazy to find the cotton puffballs and the alcohol bottle ion the linen closet.

And I found seamless shoes at SAS for $525 less than the price at the orthopedist. They were made in San Antonio by Americans. And they fit.  And I didn't pay extra for the Velcro.
www.sasshoes.com.

This is my second pair...the first pair bit the dust about a year ago. Nine years after I bought 'em. They are the most comfortable shoes made...and they can fit most anyone.
Is it any wonder we needed health care reform? Or that so many people can't afford it because if these silly prices.
Bah. Humbug.

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