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Post Your Prices Online - September 2013 - Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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OSE_1309_part2_Layout 1 9/6/13 3:26 PM Page 58 2013 Awards Keith Blewitt, who lives in Philadelphia, Pa., flew to Oklahoma City in August to have a torn meniscus repaired. With no insurance after being laid off, he says he called one of the most reputable orthopedic centers in Philly, only to be told "they weren't really interested in seeing me without insurance." Another Philadelphia hospital said it would do the surgery — but it would cost him about $14,000. Desperate to get his life and mobility back, he spoke to a doctor friend from Venezuela, who told him she could arrange for him to go to Venezuela and get it done "for 6 or 7 grand." Then, says Mr. Blewitt, he punched in "cash payment" and "surgery" on his computer, and quickly found the Surgery Center of Oklahoma. "It was like the heavens were answering my call," he says. His surgeon would be Steven Coupens, MD, the surgeon for the U.S. Olympic cycling team. The all-inclusive price would be $3,740. Even with airfare, car rental and hotel, the savings were significant. So far, the center has been able to handle its ever-increasing volume of business without resulting delays (patients making first contact are usually told they can schedule procedures the next day), but as word spreads, and the number of out-of-state patients grows, demand may surpass what the center can supply. "That's a problem I hope we face," says Dr. Smith. "If we're overFIRING BACK The decision to post prices online was 'a shot across the bow,' says Dr. Smith, aimed at a corrupt and inefficient system. 5 8 O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2013

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