Charlie's mama says: Don't stand on furniture

Last night we had the Ritchies over for dinner. While the parents were visiting, the 4 monkeys were downstairs doing bad things...jumping off furniture. Charlie, the fearless leader, reportedly was standing on the arm of the couch and "fell, I didn't jump" on his wrist, landing with his palm of his hand facing his inside of his forearm. The initial scream sent the moms downstairs to find one Charlie down for the count. He cried/whimpered for 1/2 hour. We iced, medicated, wrapped the injury, and slept on it for a night. Charlie had soccer today, babying his wrist a bit. He complained of pain intermittently, but managed to climb the ladder swing several times. Just before dinner the boys were chasing each other around the track loop (in our house) and Charlie fell again. So, we went to an urgent care to get an x-ray. We left the house at 6:35pm. Walked in the office at 6:45. Filled out paperwork, then saw the doctor at 7:00. He asked a couple questions and made small talk for 2 minutes, then ordered an x-ray. The x-ray revealed a "greenstick" or torus fracture (I'm not sure what the difference is). The doctor put a splint on Charlie's wrist, then recommended a follow-up in a week. We were out the door at 7:10 and home at 7:20.

This is where I get mad. I took my credit card up to the receptionist. She looked at the form, then another kind lady asked, "did he add the fracture code?" Turns out he didn't. The doctor only marked a "new, low-moderate severity" code: $95 and an x-ray code: $10. The nice lady added the fracture treatment code: $450. The total bill was $555. Granted we have insurance and most will be covered, but that is ridiculous! We were in the office for a total of 20 minutes of which only 5 was spent with the doctor. He didn't even touch Charlie's arm! When I asked the receptionist why the exorbitant amount, she said "well it will include a follow-up visit as well." I've been listening to NPR's programs on health care around the world lately. They've interviewed patients with different ailments in the U.S. as compared to peers in other countries. Our program is soooo broken! How could an uninsured single parent ever afford such a fee? We can barely afford it and we're both working. Oooo this chaps my hide.

Charlie is feeling much better with the splint and it breaks my heart to see my little guy in pain. Imagine those moms who have to choose not to go to the doctor because they can't afford it:(