Insurance or cash?

EDITOR:

This is a true story. In California I was a clinical psychologist in private practice in "beautiful downtown Burbank." I had staff privileges at a local hospital. One of my specialties was alcohol and drug counseling.

A tousled haired young man in ragged jeans came to see me. He told me he had worked back east and was looking for work in California. He was shaking and reeked of cigarettes and whiskey.

I told him I could not do anything for him unless he was "clean and sober." I asked if he had health insurance.

"Nope, but I got this." He pulled out a large roll of bills from his pocket. "How much, Doc?"

"Nothing." Then I would refer him to the hospital for evaluation and detox.

"I pay you," he said.

"Maybe later, but now you need to get to the hospital."

He did not like this but waited while I called to see if there was an available bed in hospital's Alpha program.

I gave the woman at the admittance desk the appropriate information. She asked about his insurance. I replied, "He has none. This is a straight fee for service case. He will put up $5,000 in cash."

She said, "We can't accept that."

I insisted. She told me she would have to talk to her supervisor. She returned to say, "We only take patients with insurance."

"You've got to be kidding?"

She remained firm.

Since I was a Rotarian, I knew the hospital assistant administrator, as he too was a Rotarian. I phoned him. Not 15 minutes later I got a phone call. My patient was admitted ASAP.

He ended up in detox, rehab and stayed for 21 days in rehab and paid cash with a discount.

I learned how dependent we "think" we (general public and companies) are on insurance.

Now this might be labeled bartering. Instead of "Chickens for Checkups," how about discounts for cash straight fee services?

Barbara Griffiths

Gardnerville