Charges are getting out of control

To the editor:

Scary as it is to put into writing, I am officially a senior citizen. 

As such I have Medicare, Part B and a secondary insurance policy. These cost me over $300 a month (figure includes Part B charge from Medicare), nearing $350 for 2019 and that does not include my premium for insurance to cover prescription drugs that I take.

I just received a recap from my secondary insurer that left me in utter amazement. I am sure many Medicare recipients don’t read these but I do.

A recent visit to my trusted nurse practitioner saw a charge from IU Health Jay of $81.

 That I have absolutely no problem with.

But I did want to make sure everyone is aware that IU Health charges an additional $85 to use their medical facility office.

I know this for a fact because I called them thinking I had been double billed. They confirmed they charge more for the facility than the nurse practitioner.

That makes it a total of $166 to see my nurse practitioner because of an ear infection.

To see my trusted doctor would have an additional $23, or a total of $189.

I don’t know whether IU Health is able to charge this facility fee to other insurers, but they certainly charge it to a Medicare recipient.

I don’t mean to “open a hornet’s nest” here but I am quite concerned as to what happens to the poor folks who can no longer financially afford a strong secondary insurance as I have. I still work part time to afford this luxury called “insurance.”

If I didn’t have this secondary coverage, do I then owe the $85 facility charge plus what Medicare doesn’t pay myself? I’m guessing I would.

What would I do? What do others not as lucky as I to be able to still work do?

Possibly not go to the doctor when they really need to.

Many people my age are blessed with problems as I am with osteoarthritis and need specialists. Thank goodness Central Indiana Orthopedics in Muncie is not affiliated with IU Health

 I could pay a cheaper insurance premium for insurance but then I would have deductibles and co-pays to deal with. Even if you earn less than $1,000 in Medicare and you own your home, you are not eligible for Indiana Medicaid coverage.

I have a friend suffering from multiple sclerosis who is not eligible for it and receives only in the neighborhood of $30 a month for food stamps. She does without and only sees her MS specialist once a year.

Earlier this year, I couldn’t understand why my monthly Indiana Michigan Power bill was so much higher. I got out a 2017 bill and compared the two. This month I am paying $38.70 in tacked on fees.

Portland needs to upgrade their sewer system and I know that, but my water bill is up $10 this month. I can only pray that local employers take all of these increased utility bills into consideration when they are looking at potential yearly raises.

And now with the news from Washington that our groceries, appliances, electronics, etc. will be going up, I say additional prayers for those raising families.

I just wanted to make everyone aware of this practice at IU Health.

Melodi Haley

Portland