No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Dr. Gusberg: Dr. McAfee told us what the high road and the middle road was in Maine, but he never got around to the low road, and I have been waiting all through his talk for that.
The insurance company was the implication that I had for "taking the low road." I think this is sorry to see, that one does certain tests in order to maintain your liability insurance. I am convinced there is a certain segment of physicians who will respond only to that kind of stimulus. It is not great, but it is that same group which is causing significantly higher premiums for the rest.
Dr. Eyre: I would like to ask Dr. Hertenstein whether he has any Caterpillar families in Maine where Dr. McAfee is telling us that in order to avoid malpractice suits they have to follow American Cancer Society guidelines on mammography. If so, are you asking your people pay for this separately? I would also like to know the dollar cost figure per mammogram that gave you a $6 million calculation. Have you tried to get mammography at a reduced cost?
Dr. Hertenstein: We do not have even a parts facility in Maine. But we do have retired people all over the world, and I am sure there are a few of them in Maine.
The point is that in our plan it simply says this is not covered. If it is mandated that they have these performed, then we expect the employee to pay for it. We are not saying that they should not pay for it; there are just some things we do not cover.
The cost of the mammogram runs on an average around $90. We do bargain with three of the largest hospitals that we have dealt with. We have asked them to give our employees a 50% reduction on mammograms. That is the best that we have done.
Dr. Eyre: Is there a cost for which you would reconsider that decision?
Dr. Hertenstein: Well, if we cut it by 50%, that is $3 million. Caterpillar does a lot of business, but $ 3 million is still a lot of money. We would like to do this, but what is the purpose of your insurance? We want people to get mammograms, but we think they ought to pay for them themselves.
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