Swedish hospital plans to stop accepting Regence

krista said on November 22, 2009 at 2:48 PM

Regence is not the "evil entity." They have been more than helpful in coordinating help for me when I was recently hospitalized at Swedish. I have a rare, and fatal disease. I was very medically unstable throughout my recent hospital visit at Swedish. I was discharged early(!) by the hospital w/ a 103 temp and almost died of an infection that evening. I was home for 5 hours b/f the ambulance got me back to Swedish. The hospital later sent a patient rep. (on 2 different days) to tell me that Regence was no longer paying, as it was not medically necessary to be hospitalized. (I was still on I.V. antibiotics!...). THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT TRUE. SWEDISH WAS NOT INFORMING REGENCE AND LYING TO ME. I had been in contact with Regence, and they were not receiving any data from the hospital to process a request for more days in the hospital. Regence is reviewing quality assur. and pref. provider status for those involved. Medicine is not accountable to anyone. We are the fallout.

buenasuerte said on November 20, 2009 at 7:08 AM

Costs do go up at between 4 - 6% but not 32%. The other difference is those who buy from your bakery see the price. Those who use Swedish (or any other health care provider) don't ever see it or actually have to pay for it. Their insurance company or employer does. I guess if I only had to pay a $1 co-pay for my bakes goods, I wouldn't care what you got from my bakery insurance company either as long as they never raised my rates (which are regulated by the State Bakery Insurance Commissioner anyway). Of course if I didn't have bakery insurance, that loaf og bread would run me $21.95.

oldtimer1 said on November 19, 2009 at 10:07 PM

But the costs HAVE gone up - for the care providers (Swedish). If I run a bakery, and the price of flour rises, can I not be expected to charge more for bread? Should I continue to give bread away to customers at below my own costs? Should I keep running a tab for bad customers who haven't paid their tabs?

buenasuerte said on November 19, 2009 at 6:00 PM

I see a number upset at the insurance company. However, Swedish is asking for a 32% increase in their reimbursement. Why, then are people upset at the insurance company for trying to have reasonable rates for their insured members to help keep the costs down. An increase of such a mangnitude by a hospital will only increase the insurance premiums we all have to pay. I think some of the commentors have it backward.

oldtimer1 said on November 19, 2009 at 4:19 PM

from Swedish "Swedish is very disappointed by Regence’s public statement today. It is a blatant attempt to scare patients. Swedish leaders believe this dispute can be resolved equitably, but only if Regence agrees to meet the medical center at least halfway. Thus far, the insurance company appears only willing to protect its own bottom line." Lets freak people out and bad-mouth our biggest customer (Swedish). Great business plan there, Regence.

hmmmm said on November 19, 2009 at 3:10 PM

I agree, non-profit my A**!!!!

hastaluego said on November 19, 2009 at 11:40 AM

"Regence, a nonprofit"...............riiiiiiiiight! These insurance hustlers basically cut & cut & cut payments & benefits (following Medicare's lead) and up & up & up premiums to max out their (non) profits. They have way overpaid execs, underpaid lower tier employees and actually have "hired guns" to find reasons to deny their insured's benefits (even after the benefits were approved & procedures completed). If the medical providers (groups, hospitals, Drs, etc.) were more organized there would be some bargaining power and the insurance hustlers wouldn't have nearly as much power & control. One positive aspect of a national health plan is that the insurance industry would be out on their ears (which would be a fitting end!), they ARE worried and trying to be affable and make changes to keep business.