Jim deMaine is a pulmonary physician who blogs at End of Life – thoughts from an MD.
Sam was late and Ella was furious. “Now why isn’t that man back by now? He knows it’s time to leave for church.”
The hours began to pass and Ella became frightened. Sam had gone out for his usual two mile run and had simply disappeared. Ella called friends and neighbors but no one had seen him. Panic began to set in so Ella called 911 who connected her to the …
“We have a patient on a ventilator here who is stable enough to transfer to your ICU, if that’s OK with you.”
This call, coming from the transfer coordinator, is emblematic of an insurance generated “medical care” coverage issue. I am salaried under the patient’s insurance carrier so the insurer wants this patient back under its wing as soon as possible.
The community hospital has been keeping Stella Norris (not her real …
Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.
