Healthy by Nature radio show this week:  Dr. Kotsanis addresses the PSA test and natural approaches to dealing with prostate issues. (Dr. Kotsanis offers a Free Lunch and Learn event on June 19 at the Kotsanis Institute in Grapevine, TX. Details at this link.) William Lee Cowden, MD discusses Lyme’s infection as well as how it is often missed and misdiagnosed as many other diseases. (He is a sponsor of a conference on the topic in Dallas, June 21-22. Details at this link.) Click here to find podcasts, show archives and how to listen nationwide.

HPV Follow-up
Last week’s newsletter discussed throat cancer and the possibility of it being caused by sexually-transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).  Nutrition author Bill Sardi posted an interesting article describing the powerful role of certain nutrients and some misconceptions about the much-hyped HPV vaccination. LINK

Call your clinic or your travel agent?
How the cost of medical care varies from one area to another is fascinating:

Medications. It is common knowledge now that prescription medications are much less expensive if ordered from a Canadian pharmacy.  In fact, medications in the US can cost as much as 5 times more than they do in other countries–the same medicine! Why do the pharmaceutical companies do that? Because they can. The Veteran’s Administration negotiates prices, but apparently Medicare does not. Insurance companies don’t have much incentive because they can just pass costs on.

Hip replacement surgery. US = $40,364 average / Costa Rico, Mexico or India $7,000 – $15,000 at a world class hospital…and that includes air fare and hotels. Medical tourism has become a thriving business.

High tech. In the US, doctors prescribe more expensive tests and procedures in part because there is an institutional preference for high tech. For example, in the US to detect cervical cancer, we rely on the Pap Smear lab test which can cost up to $200 including the office visit. In India they have begun using a simple test with vinegar which makes the cancer cells turn a different color. LINK.

Even in different parts of our country or across the same town there is great variance.

Hospital charge for complaint of chest pain. Baryonne, N.J. = $81,083 / Lake Whitney, TX = $2,459

Colonoscopy. Keene, N.H. = $7,564 / US average = $1,185 (Other developed countries = a few hundred dollars)

Wheezing complaint. In one Dallas hospital = $2,443 / another = Dallas hospitaljust $463. (Both are fine hospitals.)

Is the more expensive care better? There is no evidence that it is. Those really high prices can be just to improve the institution’s bargaining position with insurance companies. Fortunately, as a private pay consumer you can also often negotiate somewhat lower prices.

One reason for the cost inflation problem is that it is almost impossible to get anyone to tell you in advance what the cost of a medical service will be.  We may not even see the bill after the fact. Therefore, it is easy to feel uninvolved in the process and even think that health care is free to us when insurance has paid the bill. But is it?

No, it is not free in the long run. Insurance companies do not lose money. They routinely increase co-pay or premiums to cover all their costs. (Under the new healthcare law premiums are skyrocketing.) Even if your insurance is paid for by someone else, the services are probably going to cost you indirectly somewhere along the line. E.g. if it is an employer, to make their budget balance, salary increases may be deferred. Or they may raise the price of their products which affects us all in the marketplace. If the government pays (e.g. Medicare), taxes go up and the list of what is covered shrinks. (Healthcare rationing is already taking place.)

The best way to save on medical expense is, of course, to stay well and not need any medical procedures. (That is our mission here and on the radio show.) Call me Pollyanna, but I’m hoping for more price transparency so that we can be better informed shoppers. I’m also a fan of medical savings accounts where we have more flexibility to specify the preventive services and treatments that seem right for us.
 
Last Week
LINK to Archive. In the last half of the program we talked with nutritionist, Lani Jacobs-Banner, (with Natural Grocers) about ingredients to avoid in common body care products. But first, Jay Cohen, MD talked about his latest book, Prostate Cancer Breakthroughs: New Tests, New Treatments, Better Options — A Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting Edge Diagnostic Tests and 8 Medically-Proven Treatments. He also wrote What You Must Know about Statin Drugs & Their Natural Alternatives among others.

Please help spread the good word-forward this newsletter to friends and family.
My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2013 Martie Whittekin, CCN