Sunday, December 26, 2010

Claim Example: Inguinal Hernia Repair in a Dachshund

DSC_0051 As the final post of our focus on obesity this month, I thought it a good example to use where this hernia could have possibly been prevented through weight management (although such a young dog is likely to have needed surgery no matter what).


An inguinal hernia is a defect in the opening from the abdomen down to the testicular sac and obesity sometimes can change something miniscule and not noticeable into a serious condition that needs surgery to fix the defect.


Details of the claim for Roxy, a 1 year old Dachshund living in Pomona CA:





































































































































































































































































































































































DATEITEMTaxBILLED AMOUNTCOVERAGE TYPECOVERED IN POLICY?COVERED CHARGES
11/7/2009Examination
$ 42.00ILY $ 42.00
11/7/2009Radiograph Abdomen
$ 159.44ILY $ 159.44
11/7/2009Chem 5 (5-6 Tests)
$ 60.70ILY $ 60.70
11/7/2009Total Body Function
$ 143.00ILY $ 143.00
11/7/2009Ova/Par-G 1 yr
$ 53.00ILY $ 53.00
11/7/2009Fluid Therapy Set Up
$ 92.40ILY $ 92.40
11/7/2009Fluid 1st Bag
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009IV Catheter
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009IV Administration Set
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009Fluid Pump
$ 18.95ILY $ 18.95
11/7/2009Hospitalization
$ 77.00ILY $ 77.00
11/7/2009Occupancy
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009Nursing Care
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009Prof Care
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009Intensive Care Level 1
$ 15.45ILY $ 15.45
11/7/2009Exam Pre-Anesthesia
$ 0.00ILY $ 0.00
11/7/2009Preanesthes/Induction
$ 57.85ILY $ 57.85
11/7/2009Gen Anes 1st 1/2 hr
$ 118.60ILY $ 118.60
11/7/2009Gen Anes Add. 15 min
$ 53.30ILY $ 53.30
11/7/2009Anes Monitoring Lv 2
$ 63.20ILY $ 63.20
11/7/2009Hernia -Inguinal
$ 494.35ILY $ 494.35
11/7/2009Nursing/Injections
$ 59.00ILY $ 59.00
11/7/2009Ampicillin
$ 19.48ILY $ 19.48
11/7/2009Injectable Buprenorphin
$ 27.07ILY $ 27.07
11/7/2009Amoxicillin
$ 20.80ILY $ 20.80
11/7/2009Metronidazole
$ 50.70ILY $ 50.70
11/7/2009Tramadol HCL Compounded
$ 34.30ILY $ 34.30
11/7/2009Intest HE K9 14oz Can Qty 10Y $ 25.80MIN $ 0.00
11/8/2009Day Hospitalization
$ 46.20ILY $ 46.20
11/8/2009Intensive Care Level 1
$ 15.45ILY $ 15.45
11/8/2009Fluid Therapy Nursing
$ 15.45ILY $ 15.45
11/8/2009Oral/Topical Nursing
$ 9.60ILY $ 9.60
11/8/2009ChlorhexiDerm Flush
$ 19.20ILY $ 19.20
11/8/2009Gentamicin/Clo
$ 26.18ILY $ 26.18
11/8/2009Medical Waste Fee
$ 4.99ILY $ 4.99
11/10/2009Metacam
$ 32.48DDN $ 0.00
11/7/2009Tax
$ 2.26

$ -
Total

$ 1,858.20


$ 1,797.66



Roxy's policy had a $200 annual deductible, a 20% copay % and a $10,000 annual maximum but no drugs and dental coverage selected for a monthly premium of $32.50. The payout on the claim was calculated as follows (taken directly from the claim Explanation of Benefit)
























































































































































STEP 1: Calculate Potential Refund





Billed Amount:






$ 1,858.20
Covered Charges:





$ 1,797.66
Annual deductible remaining




$ 200.00

subtotal




$ 1,597.66
Copay 20% (your copayment)




$ 319.53
Potential Refund






$ 1,278.13


















STEP 2: Compare potential refund against your annual maximums

Annual Maximum





$ 10,000.00
Prior refunds for this policy year




$ 0.00
Coverage remaining




$ 10,000.00









Your total refund is:





$ 1,278.13

Is this something you've come across in your dog?