Very Expensive Common Cold

[mbiggers]

Just disembarked from the 26 day Marina TA. We were told to immediately contact the medical department if any cold symptoms appeared.  A few days ago I woke up with congestion and a sore throat so I called. A tech came up and did a PCR test.  An hour later they called and said to come down and see the doctor. He did a 2 minute exam and said “We treat these Upper Respiratory Infections very aggressively.  I’m giving you an antibiotic, an antiviral, and something for the symptoms which you can take IV or by pill.”  The antiviral was Tamiflu (over $400).  I declined an IV and fled back to our cabin. The paperwork he provided lists the diagnosis as “Common Cold” and the visit as non-emergency. The total bill was almost $900!  Neither Tamiflu nor Azithromycin works to treat a cold.  I am seriously questioning the medical ethics of their provider, and I am angry with myself for not refusing the medications.  
Michele

[ronrick1943]

Even with Covid that is a bit much, I’d send all the information to “O” headquarters.  It seems they over serviced you—also they ask you to come to the med center.  If you purchased cruise insurance you can send them the bill if your own insurance doesn’t cover it.

[susiesan]

Wow. If I'm not feeling well on my next O cruise I won't be contacting the medical department unless I am on deaths doorstep. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, mbiggers said:

Just disembarked from the 26 day Marina TA. We were told to immediately contact the medical department if any cold symptoms appeared.  A few days ago I woke up with congestion and a sore throat so I called. A tech came up and did a PCR test.  An hour later they called and said to come down and see the doctor. He did a 2 minute exam and said “We treat these Upper Respiratory Infections very aggressively.  I’m giving you an antibiotic, an antiviral, and something for the symptoms which you can take IV or by pill.”  The antiviral was Tamiflu (over $400).  I declined an IV and fled back to our cabin. The paperwork he provided lists the diagnosis as “Common Cold” and the visit as non-emergency. The total bill was almost $900!  Neither Tamiflu nor Azithromycin works to treat a cold.  I am seriously questioning the medical ethics of their provider, and I am angry with myself for not refusing the medications.  
Michele

Submit it as an “urgent care” claim to your regular and travel insurers. If asked why, submit the document that said to contact the ship’s doc.

[Jancruz]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Submit it as an “urgent care” claim to your regular and travel insurers. If asked why, submit the document that said to contact the ship’s doc.

I have always sent these kind of bills to the insurance I take out for the cruise Allianz and have always been reimbursed..

Jancruz1

[Hawaiidan]

I have Kaiser.....   they pay 100% with no limit or cap on emergency treatment any where in the world.  Urgent care / emergency    no difference.      You got one life... do not be cheap on your health as the options ain't all that good

[mbiggers]

The bigger point I was trying to make was the provision (and billing) of unnecessary medications. On a previous Riviera cruise a friend was billed almost $20,000 for IV antibiotics for a respiratory virus, so this policy does not appear to be an isolated event. 

[edgee]

IMHO no different than the high charges one may find at an urgent care center or hospital in the U.S. Many folks do not bother to look at the bill in much detail because insurance covers. Similarly, on a cruise, travel insurance, sometimes coordinated with one's regular insurance policy covers the bill, but the passenger has to submit and, thus is more aware of the charges. Also, the drugs the physician prescribed for you are not unreasonable based on experiences I have had with my primary physician for whom I have much respect.

Edited April 16, 2022 by edgee

[the more ports the better]

On Marina hubby started passing a Kidney Stone.  We went down to medical for pain meds and Dr on board wanted to give all kinds of IV meds, but, of course, not pain meds.  We declined, called our daughter who works in the ER and she said take pain meds and a lot of fluids until it passes, and that getting IV antibiotics and steroids was never protocol unless there are underlying circumstances.  We went to a Dr in Florence in the morning and they gave him pain meds and told him to drink fluids.  It passed that night and all was fine.  
 

I think I read somewhere that the Dr on a ship does not report to anyone, not even the captain so it appears there is little oversight.

 

 

[Vertygo]

8 minutes ago, edgee said:

IMHO no different than the high charges one may find at an urgent care center or hospital in the U.S. Many folks do not bother to look at the bill in much detail because insurance covers. Similarly, on a cruise, travel insurance, sometimes coordinated with one's regular insurance policy covers the bill, but the passenger has to submit and, thus is more aware of the charges. Also, the drugs the physician prescribed for you are not unreasonable based on experiences I have had with my primary physician for whom I have much respect.

I agree with the poster that the meds offered & prescribed for a “common cold” are way overboard (pun intended). As a PA with 35 years in ENT, there is no way any of those meds are appropriate. Antibiotic prescription in cases like these have caused antibiotic resistance & should never be given. Antiviral meds do nothing for a cold, & don’t get me started on the IV recommendation. Nothing more than Mucinex, saline nasal rinses & perhaps something for a cough was needed.

Good that the poster will notify O to investigate this & other cases like it.

[Hawaiidan]

2 hours ago, mbiggers said:

The bigger point I was trying to make was the provision (and billing) of unnecessary medications. On a previous Riviera cruise a friend was billed almost $20,000 for IV antibiotics for a respiratory virus, so this policy does not appear to be an isolated event. 

If you have been a stranger to hospital and advanced medical care over the past years.... you need to get a grip...I day in the ER without admission can run 15,000 to 18000.    A 6 day stay with  a surgery can set you back 850.000.......     Stuff today costs...  this is why we have insurance.   Get  good and get complete coverage because ever year my friend, you risk goes' up  and not a little.  

[Hawaiidan]

1 hour ago, the more ports the better said:

On Marina hubby started passing a Kidney Stone.  We went down to medical for pain meds and Dr on board wanted to give all kinds of IV meds, but, of course, not pain meds.  We declined, called our daughter who works in the ER and she said take pain meds and a lot of fluids until it passes, and that getting IV antibiotics and steroids was never protocol unless there are underlying circumstances.  We went to a Dr in Florence in the morning and they gave him pain meds and told him to drink fluids.  It passed that night and all was fine.  
 

I think I read somewhere that the Dr on a ship does not report to anyone, not even the captain so it appears there is little oversight.

 

 

They are all contracted as are the staff in  the casino and  Spa.    Free agents.    And we live in a free market.

[edgee]

18 minutes ago, Hawaiidan said:

They are all contracted as are the staff in  the casino and  Spa.    Free agents.    And we live in a free market.

Whoa. Whether they are contractors or employees is a mere technicality...Oceania bears responsibility for those on its ships who serve their customers. And they are not totally "free agents" anyway. When my DW received medical care aboard Riviera a few years ago, we contacted Oceania (not some "free agent") to obtain a copy of the medical bill for insurance purposes. Oceania mailed us that copy with a cover note on their letterhead from their offices. 

[ronrick1943]

4 minutes ago, edgee said:

Whoa. Whether they are contractors or employees is a mere technicality...Oceania bears responsibility for those on its ships who serve their customers. And they are not totally "free agents" anyway. When my DW received medical care aboard Riviera a few years ago, we contacted Oceania (not some "free agent") to obtain a copy of the medical bill for insurance purposes. Oceania mailed us that copy with a cover note on their letterhead from their offices. 

You are right—I hate it when anybody states “Oh, that’s a 3rd party-not us.  

[lochlane]

Do any of the cruise ships carry antiviral drugs for Covid, Ex. Paxlovid?

[Flatbush Flyer]

5 hours ago, edgee said:

Whoa. Whether they are contractors or employees is a mere technicality...Oceania bears responsibility for those on its ships who serve their customers. And they are not totally "free agents" anyway. When my DW received medical care aboard Riviera a few years ago, we contacted Oceania (not some "free agent") to obtain a copy of the medical bill for insurance purposes. Oceania mailed us that copy with a cover note on their letterhead from their offices. 

“Whoa” “back at ya.” Keep your attorney’s contact info handy!😉

From the O Ticket Contract:

12. THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS
We, as the Carrier, may also provide other services or facilities as a convenience to Guests and are not responsible for services, treatments and/or attendance provided or supplies given by the medical personnel, beautician, spa personnel, barber, fitness instructor, laundry, casino, gift shop, and/or any other concessionaire or other persons providing personal services to You. Such services are provided directly to You and the service providers shall not be considered to be acting under the control or supervision of Carrier. Should You avail Yourself of the medical or other professional services which the Ship’s medical personnel may furnish upon Your request, You shall do so at Your sole risk and expense and We shall not be liable for the consequences of any examination, advice, diagnosis, medication or treatment thus furnished. Charges for such medical and other professional and personal services which You request will be Your sole responsibility. Similarly, and without limitation, all spa personnel, guest lecturers, entertainers and other service personnel shall be considered independent contractors who work directly for You.

[Hawaiidan]

6 hours ago, ronrick1943 said:

You are right—I hate it when anybody states “Oh, that’s a 3rd party-not us.  

like the cruise contract you agreed to?????

[Hawaiidan]

6 hours ago, edgee said:

Whoa. Whether they are contractors or employees is a mere technicality...Oceania bears responsibility for those on its ships who serve their customers. And they are not totally "free agents" anyway. When my DW received medical care aboard Riviera a few years ago, we contacted Oceania (not some "free agent") to obtain a copy of the medical bill for insurance purposes. Oceania mailed us that copy with a cover note on their letterhead from their offices. 

As in contracts are a mere technicality in the world??..... Reading and understanding you agreed position with O and its  contractors is...well.... rather important        Even the deck crew are sub contractors. .   

[ronrick1943]

2 hours ago, Hawaiidan said:

like the cruise contract you agreed to?????

Yes you re right, however it all comes down to “O”, they hire the company and they are responsible for the work they do.  Granted if they don’t care it will eventually lose business.

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, ronrick1943 said:

Yes you re right, however it all comes down to “O”, they hire the company and they are responsible for the work they do.  Granted if they don’t care it will eventually lose business.

Did a little look/see and you may still be “in the game” though this item is about 6 years old:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27681214/

[S. Cobbler]

Feed a cold, starve a fever. So you were in a good place to be!

[Hawaiidan]

medical bills and medical treatment  seems to be a universal topic of universal controversary.  Should  have, . Could have  with a healthy dose of 20/20 hindsight. seems to be common.     The quandary is  when you feel ill  .... what are you going to do?     Ignore it/,  get help?       There is a fine line between  good and bad outcomes   

When your talking about YOUR life  there is no option to rewind and replay. 

[rodan]

A lot of ships drs.leave a lot to be desired however many years ago I had a bad attack of my Crohn’s disease  before the Holland America ship was to begin the cruise out of Civitavecchia, Italy. My attack was a severe blood episode and I knew I would have to leave the ship for hospital care. The ship’s Doctor was a seasoned American MD who told us about a wonderful private hospital in Rome and arranged a pickup  at the port by an ambulance which would make the 60 minute journey to Rome. We did not want to be taken to the local hospital in Civitavecchia. We were charged a small amount for the ships service which was covered by our travel and personal insurance. The private hospital was great but spending 5 days there instead of a 3 week vacation was not.

Edited April 17, 2022 by rodan

[Hawaiidan]

49 minutes ago, rodan said:

A lot of ships drs.leave a lot to be desired however many years ago I had a bad attack of my Crohn’s disease  before the Holland America ship was to begin the cruise out of Civitavecchia, Italy. My attack was a severe blood episode and I knew I would have to leave the ship for hospital care. The ship’s Doctor was a seasoned American MD who told us about a wonderful private hospital in Rome and arranged a pickup  at the port by an ambulance which would make the 60 minute journey to Rome. We did not want to be taken to the local hospital in Civitavecchia. We were charged a small amount for the ships service which was covered by our travel and personal insurance. The private hospital was great but spending 5 days there instead of a 3 week vacation was not.

 

49 minutes ago, rodan said:

 

 

Edited April 17, 2022 by Hawaiidan

[Hawaiidan]

2 minutes ago, Hawaiidan said: