How HCA turned trauma into a money-maker

[n2doc]

By Alexandra Zayas and Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writers

Last year in western Pasco County, 16-year-old Mason Jwanouskos was in the backseat of a convertible when his friend lost control and crashed into a stone pillar.

He couldn't have picked a more expensive place to get hurt.

If he had crashed 30 miles to the south, he would have gone to one of three trauma centers in Tampa or St. Petersburg. They likely would have charged him about $30,000, their typical charge for patients with a concussion.

But Mason was closer to the trauma center at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.

His bill: $99,000.

more

http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/how-hca-turned-trauma-into-a-money-maker/2169280

[Ms. Toad]

1. HCA = Hospital Corporation of America n/t

[onethatcares]

2. there's an in-depth report

in todays TampaBayTimes reference that subject.

Hospitals charge what they charge because they can get away with it. That is actually one
sentence in the report.

on another note, wasn't HCA the company the current governor of floriduh owned that paid the largest
fine on record for Medicare Fraud?