Originally Posted by kane

Yep, not only is it expensive, but if you have insurance they dictate the type of care you get. Here are two examples: earlier today I took my mom to the doctors. Nothing special, just a regular check up. I was in the room with her because she was having some medicine switched around and wanted me to help her understand it. So the doctor does her thing then ends up saying, "I will type this up, then I have to go, I've been in here more than 30 minutes and if we try to bill for longer than 30 minutes the insurance won't pay." I ask why and she says, "The insurance companies don't think a regular visit should take longer than 30 minutes. If we bill for more than that they pass the extra cost on to you."

Example 2: A friend of mine has a hip problem. she goes to see a specialist who tells her she needs surgery, but the insurance won't pay for it unless she first gets a cortisone shot then does some physical therapy. The insurance dictated the treatment, even though the doctor knew it wouldn't work. They just had to jump through the hoops in order to get them to pay.