A Cankle Barnie Rubble would be proud of.

[mtbMike]

You can go with an HMO and deal with a bit of extra attention to detail, and have a $20 copay....

Or you can go with a PPO and have more flexibility, but have to fork over 10% of the bill.

In our case, if we'd been on a PPO we'd have shelled out more than $12,000 for my wife's 2 knee replacements (which were done at St Jude Fullerton). Because it was done under the HMO we'd paid about $120 total upfront, a tad more in premiums over the years. But not that much. In the near future we'd pony up another $6K - $8K when I have to get a valve job.

So I have to spend a few minutes ensuring the paperwork is in order? Okay.

I had a vasectomy at Kaiser ages ago. I don't recall any onerous requirements. Made the appointment, showed up, snip snip. Done.

You're making too many assumptions based on your experience, which clearly isn't true for all. What you pay depends on your plan and not whether is is an HMO or PPO. I've had a PPO the last 24 years. I broke my femur, tore my ACL, MCL, LCL and both meniscus in 2009 up in Mammoth. I had surgery to repair everything but the ACL and spend 4 days in the hospital. I paid $50 out of pocket. I came home and the surgeon that was going to do my ACL surgery eventually suggested I hold off on PT because I would want me PT sessions saved for the ACL recovery. My wife told him her PPO insurance allows 100 PT appointment per year. The surgeon was shocked and said we better call because he's never heard of such a thing as most allow 24 max. We called and as usual, my wife knew what she was talking about. I went on to have PT and after PT (I never counted) until my ACL surgery in early November. I continued to have PT after PT.....and never paid out another dime with our PPO insurance.

When I went to have a vasectomy in May 1996, Kaiser required me to go to a two hour "class" which was held on a weekday evening at their facility 50 miles away from my home. You then have to have a meeting with the doctor, with your wife present and after 48 hours pass, you can make an appointment to get the procedure done, once again 50 miles from our house. I ended up waiting a year of two and by then we had switched to a PPO. I went into the doctors office, by myself, signed some papers and made an appointment for the next week to get snipped. All about 5 miles from my house.

 

[herzalot]

I just do my own surgeries, or if it's in a spot I can't reach, I'll ask @Faust29 or @mtnbikej to do it.

J's garage for the win!

 

[Mikie]

You're making too many assumptions based on your experience, which clearly isn't true for all. What you pay depends on your plan and not whether is is an HMO or PPO. I've had a PPO the last 24 years. I broke my femur, tore my ACL, MCL, LCL and both meniscus in 2009 up in Mammoth. I had surgery to repair everything but the ACL and spend 4 days in the hospital. I paid $50 out of pocket. I came home and the surgeon that was going to do my ACL surgery eventually suggested I hold off on PT because I would want me PT sessions saved for the ACL recovery. My wife told him her PPO insurance allows 100 PT appointment per year. The surgeon was shocked and said we better call because he's never heard of such a thing as most allow 24 max. We called and as usual, my wife knew what she was talking about. I went on to have PT and after PT (I never counted) until my ACL surgery in early November. I continued to have PT after PT.....and never paid out another dime with our PPO insurance.

When I went to have a vasectomy in May 1996, Kaiser required me to go to a two hour "class" which was held on a weekday evening at their facility 50 miles away from my home. You then have to have a meeting with the doctor, with your wife present and after 48 hours pass, you can make an appointment to get the procedure done, once again 50 miles from our house. I ended up waiting a year of two and by then we had switched to a PPO. I went into the doctors office, by myself, signed some papers and made an appointment for the next week to get snipped. All about 5 miles from my house.

I’m certainly not doubting you and assuming you have(had) a PPO through law enforcement because I can tell you my new PPO is costing me prosthetic prices (arm and a leg). I’m with a large company and I’m getting killed with a dumbazz deductible to get to no copay, and even after the deductible is paid off, it would be 80/20 out of network. Out of network? I thought a PPO had no network? With Kaiser it was a $20 copay and no deductible. Out of my paycheck I’m paying about the same as Kaiser. Kaiser has been amazing and we all know how much self inflicted damage I’ve caused to myself! I’m all in for back to a HMO and back with Kaiser if it was available.

All I can tell you is Anthem Blue Cross sucks!

 

[mtbMike]

I’m certainly not doubting you and assuming you have(had) a PPO through law enforcement because I can tell you my new PPO is costing me prosthetic prices (arm and a leg). I’m with a large company and I’m getting killed with a dumbazz deductible to get to no copay, and even after the deductible is paid off, it would be 80/20 out of network. Out of network? I thought a PPO had no network? With Kaiser it was a $20 copay and no deductible. Out of my paycheck I’m paying about the same as Kaiser. Kaiser has been amazing and we all know how much self inflicted damage I’ve caused to myself! I’m all in for back to a HMO and back with Kaiser if it was available.

All I can tell you is Anthem Blue Cross sucks!

Nope, no City of San Diego health plan would ever be that good. It's Blue Cross of Massachusetts thru my wife's biotech employer. It's so good we're being the bullet and keeping it after she stops working.

I never needed medical care the one year I had Kaiser which was back in the 90's. My only experience was my vasectomy "lecture". As I mentioned, most cops I worked with had Kaiser their entire career because of the price point. I know it's much more convenient now vs when I had it because there are offices in Escondido, Oceanside and Marietta.

 

[jimbowho]

will look at Paradigm Machine Works to see what type of Ti bolts they have in stock.

BWAAAHHAAAHA maybe some Loctite

 

[Danimal]

I have had a PPO for 3 years now.
$170 a month, $350 deductible, $1350 per year max out of pocket. Pretty good IMO.

 

[Lost Kiwi]

@RIGID hope the surgery went well and you're on the road to recovery

 

[RIGID]

@RIGID hope the surgery went well and you're on the road to recovery

Thanks! I went into surgery last Tuesday and have been hanging out with some new friends, Meloxicam, Hydrocodin and Tramadol who's been by my side ever since.

I go in to see the Ortho in two weeks for a follow up.
I'm on a psudo cast with a splint that runs from the bottom of my feet wrapping around the back of the heel and up to the calf.
Not sure if I got screws in me or just reset/align the bone and clean up the small fragments.

 

[mtnbikej]

Thanks! I went into surgery last Tuesday and have been hanging out with some new friends, Meloxicam, Hydrocodin and Tramadol who's been by my side ever since.

I go in to see the Ortho in two weeks for a follow up.
I'm on a psudo cast with a splint that runs from the bottom of my feet wrapping around the back of the heel and up to the calf.
Not sure if I got screws in me or just reset/align the bone and clean up the small fragments.
View attachment 81764 View attachment 81765

They cut you open.....you've got new hardware. it'll look similar to this.....

You'll likely get a regular cast when you go for follow up.

Get off the narcotics as soon as possible....you'll start to feel better.

 

[Mikie]

+1 on weaning off the narcs. For me, they slow down the healing and my feeling of recovery.

 

[mtnbikej]

+1 on weaning off the narcs. For me, they slow down the healing and my feeling of recovery.

Agree...i've yet to touch anything but Ibuprofin and Aleve with my shoulder.

 

[SnakeCharmer]

I have had a PPO for 3 years now.
$170 a month, $350 deductible, $1350 per year max out of pocket. Pretty good IMO.

With who?

 

[herzalot]

Agree...i've yet to touch anything but Ibuprofin and Aleve with my shoulder.

I don't see what's wrong with doing the Hydrocodone... I'm still taking four or five a day from my surgery



(J/K of course)

 

[SnakeCharmer]

I don't see what's wrong with doing the Hydrocodone... I'm still taking four or five a day from my surgery



(J/K of course)

You're hooked!



(J/K of course)

 

[RIGID]

Agree...i've yet to touch anything but Ibuprofin and Aleve with my shoulder.

I hear you on this. I'm lucky and get to work from home but the next day after my surgery I kept catching myself waking up in front of the computer from these painkillers.
The next day I did half a dose and still felt like I had jetlag.
I'm weaning off of it but do find myself waking up in the middle of the night with a throbbing pain taking the Hydrocodin or Tramadol and getting knocked out. Let's see if I can get a full nights sleep without it tonight.
I might be one who would be addicted if it actually killed the pain but the drowsiness is what turns me off. That and not being able to function during work.

 

[mtnbikej]

I'm weaning off of it but do find myself waking up in the middle of the night with a throbbing pain taking the Hydrocodin or Tramadol and getting knocked out. Let's see if I can get a full nights sleep without it tonight.

This is what i'm fighting with since i don't take any narcotics......I can't get more than a couple hours at a time before the discomfort kicks in.

 

[Faust29]

I'd happily take the drugs. We used to drive over the Peace Bridge into Fort Erie for two things- really strong beer and Tylenol with codeine. Coincidentally, those two items were close to each other in the stores.

 

[Danimal]

With who?

BCBS of Vermont. I'm piggy backing on one of the union contract plans. ( The $170 is my share of the premium )

$15 co pay for my doc, and $40 for a specialist. Heck 20 years ago it was $20 co pay for my Dr.

Have yet to use it except for a couple trips to the urgent care. My normal Dr doesn't have the time to see me when I'm actually sick. Lol.

Hope your get better quick @RIGID !

 

[mtnbikej]

@RIGID

So how is the drumstick healing?

 

[RIGID]

@RIGID

So how is the drumstick healing?

It's going well, thanks!
One more Ortho visit mid July. Started PT exercises to stretch out and strengthen the ankle.
Some swelling at the end of the day but light to moderate walks with no cane.
No rides yet till another month, can't wait!!!