"Cedars, UCLA cut from L.A. Health Plan"

On September 21, 2012, the Los Angeles Times had a front page article that stated "Cedars, UCLA cut from L.A. health plan".  Anthem Blue Cross (a private insurance company unlike Medicare) has eliminated doctors affiliated with the hospitals from a health plan by the city of Los Angeles.  "Two of the most prestigious names in Southern California health care - Cedars-Sinai and UCLA - are being shut out of a major insurance plan for being TOO EXPENSIVE".  "THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE KNOWN FOR TENDING TO THE SOUTH LAND'S RICH AND FAMOUS".  UCLA is owned and operated by the State of California and thus its people, so where do they get off charging the same money as Cedars-Sinai - a private hospital?  "This dramatic step shows that even some of the most respected names in medicine can't get by on REPUTATION alone.  Major hospitals and medical groups face growing pressure to justify their charges". 

This backs up my belief that UCLA subjected me to major cancer surgery for money, as I have said all along in this blog.  Medicare will only pay a set amount for any medical treatment and all medical centers/hospitals and medical professionals know this when they accept a patient 65 years and older.  If a doctor submits a bill for $1,000.00 for medical services, Medicare will only pay 80% of the APPROVED AMOUNT THEY PAY.  So if Medicare will only approve $600.00 for this service, they will only pay 80% for that and the remaining 20% is left for the patient to pay through private insurance or Medicaid, or if they can pay the amount themselves.  With private hospitals like Cedars-Sinai, if they bill Blue Cross for $1,000.00, they expect to be paid that amount.  That is why it is in UCLA's best interest to bill as much money as they can for any patient and run tests and perform surgeries that are not necessary, but provide the billable dollars for financial gain.

This is a giant step.