Emergency Room Visit is $1,339.00

[Bill Call]

Just a fair warning to Lakewood residents. That what was on a bill from the Cleveland Clinic, in addition to other charges totaling nearly $3,000 for 2 hours use of the "emergency room". the $1,339 was for just walking through the door.

If you are experiencing a true emergency for symptoms of a stroke, or heart attack or a kidney stone, or if you fall of your bike, get bit by a bee or get hit with a car DO NOT USE A STAND ALONE EMBERGENCY ROOM.

You will be paying emergency room prices for minute clinic services. In addition to parking fees and facility fees.

[Lori Allen _]

Bill,

Perhaps word of this is getting around. A family friend was at the Lakewood facility last week for X-rays. When the staff led them through the ER, they observed only one bed filled. According to their account of the visit, the place was a ghost town.

If residents continue this apparent "boycott" of the new facility (as they should), the place will most likely go under within a few years or less (as it should).

[Stan Austin]

Where does one park while availing themselves of this thrifty medical care?

[Bill Call]

Where does one park while availing themselves of this thrifty medical care?

We had a perfectly good parking garage but it is now a big pile of gravel.

[Stan Austin]

It just occurred to me--- I think it's time for someone--- Mayor? Finance Director? Law Director? Council Member? to recap up to today's filling in of the hole which was once a parking garage and office building.
Specifically, who owned which building, why was it determined to demolish those buildings, who is paying for the demolition, and--to what end?
Stan Austin

[Lori Allen _]

We did away with the garage that had tons of money spent on it, and left the north garage open.

Does this make any sense? Mike Summer's alleged friend, Gus Frangos, who works for the county, owns the garage.

Why does Mr. Frangos not have to follow the city property codes? The garage is falling apart, literally crumbling to pieces and is an eye sore.

Apparently membership has it's rewards!

Back on the real topic, when out and about in Lakewood, the CCF Urgi Care is not getting great reviews.

Perhaps we should ask our council persons to investigate why people are alleging that they are getting poor treatment and high bills from this establishment.

Oh that is right, they appear to have gotten their rewards from the hospital deal. They have no time to spend or care about the citizens of Lakewood.

[jackie f taylor]

That is robbery, a crime, why isn't the cost, charges, fees blatantly displayed, like a fast food restaurant, the menu board has all the offerings, you get to choose what you want to pay for. let's see, I'll take the fish sandwich with hair, to go.

[james fitzgibbons]

That is robbery, a crime, why isn't the cost, charges, fees blatantly displayed, like a fast food restaurant, the menu board has all the offerings, you get to choose what you want to pay for. let's see, I'll take the fish sandwich with hair, to go.

Jackie in the 60s I got a used band-aid in my fries.

[jackie f taylor]

lol, good one.

[mjkuhns]

This reminds me of something I have been wondering recently: what is the nearest hospital, now.

I recall that this actually came up in a thread several months ago, and looking back it seems to have mostly answered the question and then diverted into 2-3 pages of vintage bickering.
(Relive the memories: http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewt ... =7&t=23171)

My impression is that the nearest hospitals from Lakewood are, in order of proximity:
1. Fairview or Lutheran, depending on what part of town you live in
2. Metrohealth
3. St. John's Medical Center or St. Vincent's Charity Medical Center, probably depending on traffic conditions

Does this seem correct?

[jackie f taylor]

The Hot Dog Inn, West 41st and Lorain, back in 1964, I got hone fries to go, wrapped in newspaper, lol. it was still good. today, they would shut them down.

[jackie f taylor]

Mr Hero, there first location was at 44th and Lorain, I used to go there, Bob himself used to serve up the submarines, they were the best, nothing like I had ever before, now he is a multi millionair, I lived at 3623 Lorain ave, above Walt's Friendly Tavern, all gone now, those were the days.

[T Peppard]

Just a fair warning to Lakewood residents. That what was on a bill from the Cleveland Clinic, in addition to other charges totaling nearly $3,000 for 2 hours use of the "emergency room". the $1,339 was for just walking through the door.

If you are experiencing a true emergency for symptoms of a stroke, or heart attack or a kidney stone, or if you fall of your bike, get bit by a bee or get hit with a car DO NOT USE A STAND ALONE EMBERGENCY ROOM.

You will be paying emergency room prices for minute clinic services. In addition to parking fees and facility fees.

Thank you for the warning Bill.

It would be great to have you run for one of the council seats or the school board! You would definitely have my vote as well as those from many others.

To add to your warning about the heavy fees... During one of the last council meetings of December 2015, I sat next to a gentleman warning city council that the master agreement was a bad deal. He shared with them his $700+ transportation bill for transport to our glorified Urgent Care/ER and then transfer charges to Fairview Hospital. He also added that the trip to Fairview took 45 minutes! $700+ may be a bill our council members could pay, but not the average citizen. Mary Louise Madigan smiled & thanked him for his comments. Then they all unanimously passed the second reading of the ordinance to accept the master agreement.

...tremendous representation for the profit of the corporation, NOT the welfare of the people.

[Lori Allen _]

I believe the Lakewood Hospital plan was implemented and settled well before it was presented to the tax payers of Lakewood.

Council allegedly got their rewards, ( $$$$$$ ) , for saying "aye" to the Mayor, like they always do. Heaven forbid they ever think for themselves or about the citizens they represent.

Council has a me, myself, and I attitude. To hell with the citizens of Lakewood.

I would like to know why CCF is charging a facility fee for their free standing ER. Most insured people have a co-pay for an ER visit, which is usually waived if you are admitted. I have never been charged a facility fee for an ER visit. ( Could this be because it is not really an emergency room here in Lakewood? )

Doesn't this all seem like a scam that some persons are benefiting from? One ambulance fee, one ER fee, plus a facility fee. Then, if you need a real emergency room, that involves one more ambulance fee, another ER fee and another facility fee.

If you think your charges are unreasonable or your care was not adequate, you can contact the Insurance Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Medical Board.

[tom monahan]

Folks:

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is Cleveland's only downtown hospital. It is located at East 22nd Street off of I-490. It is about a 10 minute drive and there is ample parking (it is $4 for the whole day!) There is no facility fee and the staff is outstanding. The newly-renovated ER has the latest (world-class) equipment and if you are suffering a stroke or heart attack you have immediate access to a fully staffed hospital. There is no $700 second ambulance ride to worry about.

Charity Hospital is where open-heart surgery was pioneered by Dr. Earl B. Kaye in the late 1950's. He and Dr. Cross from St. Luke Hospital invented the heart lung machine that allowed them to perform open heart surgery. It has independent physicians and professional staff.

So there is a quality option for you. We already use it.