One hand xray was $800+!

[CathyA]

This is just ridiculous! And that didn't include the radiologist's cost...........or the rheumatologist visit!
Glad I decided not to get knee xrays too!

[awakenedsoul]

CathyA,
Is this for your arthritis? I just started taking an herb called gotu kola. I did a lot of research, since most people don't get relief form traditional medicine for arthritis. It's a remarkable herb that they use in India and China. Swimming daily, taking wobenzeim for inflammation, and this herb have worked for me. I finally feel like myself again. A lady in my aqua fit class said that doing the water class cured the arthritis she had in her knee. Hope you find something cheaper. That's so expensive!!!

[rodeosweetheart]

What is wobenzeim?

[awakenedsoul]

What is wobenzeim?
Oh, I spelled it wrong. It's Wobenzym. It's an over the counter supplement for arthritis. It's for "healthy inflammation and joint support." They've been using it in Germany since the 50's or 60's. The body stops producing as many enzymes as we age that eat scar tissue, reduce inflammation, etc. It's really helped me.

Sorry if this is off topic, CathyA. I know you have mentioned that you have arthritis in other threads. I'm not sure what's wrong with your hand.

[Packy]

You've just experienced what has gone wrong with our health care!

[gimmethesimplelife]

You've just experienced what has gone wrong with our health care!+1000 and more. Even with Obamacare and expanded Medicaid in Arizona, I'm still so so so glad to live close to Mexico for affordable health care if need be. Rob

[iris lilies]

Well there ya go Packy, move further south to be near Mexico. Land is cheap down there anyway, you could get quite a spread.

[bae]

What should the price have been?

I paid $284 today for two x-rays of my dog's abdomen to try to see what he had going on down there. 3-5 minutes to put the dog up on the table and snap the shots. That's for an all-digital x-ray process, at a rural vet's office.

[Packy]

Mr BAE, in the last few years, Vets have been uh, "copycats", apparently since they've seen the Doctors and Lawyers make every case into a Gravy Job. The professional class in this country not only wants to live large(prestige cars, vacation homes, private aircraft, extensive international travel, etc.), they also expect to retire wealthy, as well. They schedule 3-4 days a week for office hours, and they devote the other to days managing their investments. Vets, have caught a case of this affluence fever, too. By the way--my expert advice is my stock-in-trade--you now owe me $500.

[sweetana3]

We have vets that cover the whole range of expense and expertise. Could be cause we are Midwest. I can choose from a new young vet practice two blocks from my house to a very old established practice in a high end or very low end part of town. I can drive south to a rural practice that has super low fees. For my ferals, the low cost spay/neuter clinic has now expanded into a more full service (not 100% but good). We have animal dermatology clinics in high rent districts, animal eye clinics, a animal holistic practice, etc. It is all a choice.

None of my vets appear to be living the high life. The recession hit them also. Sometimes I feel I get much better service for my cats than I can get for myself.

[Miss Cellane]

The hospital has to pay for the X-Ray equipment somehow.

My nephew, when very young, needed an vaccination that was a series of injections, one per month from October to April. Had to go to the hospital for them.

The cost, per visit: Nurse to administer the injection: $75. Room for the procedure: $150. Vaccine: $3,250.

Had to get those shots for two years. Thank goodness they had good insurance.

[bae]

Mr BAE, in the last few years, Vets have been uh, "copycats", apparently since they've seen the Doctors and Lawyers make every case into a Gravy Job.

My vet is a rural vet in a remote spot. He's several years past retirement age, continuing to work so that we have a vet here until he can find someone else foolish enough to open up a practice in the region. He drives a 20+ year old truck, lives in a modest home, and barely manages to keep his doors open.

However, he *did* spring for an X-ray machine a few years back, before then we had to spend $50+ to travel by boat to the mainland, then visit a mainland vet. I suspect he needs to pay for it somehow, as Alan refuses to pay for the equipment for him.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nhB63H51Bf4/U6y_lpqtXyI/AAAAAAAAKzI/UdaOu2--b4E/s640/Awesomized.jpg

[pinkytoe]

I am always a little shocked to see what practitioners bill my insurance company. This city is exploding with specialty care clinics for both people and animals so there must be good money in it for someone. My boss' son is a medical device salesman and makes a LOT of income. Also know a pharmaceutical sales rep who does very well.

[Simpler at Fifty]

DH get a monthly injection at the cancer center. The bill is $11,134.96. Medicare/Ins pays $3532.32 and we pay 834.54. We will meet his OOP in July. The drug is $10818.04 of that 11k. It has been around for 20+ years. Wondering why it is still so expensive.