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Show Page 13 DECEMBER 21,2006 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER MAYO: CASE STUDY IN MEDICAL EXTORTION, ARROGANCE AG MARKET NEWS THE ELDERLAW FORUM Professor Michael Myers Webster defines "extortion" as "getting money by violence, threats, or misuse of authority; sometimes applied to the exaction of too high a price." It defines "arrogance" as "unwarranted pride and self-importance; overbearing; haughtiness." The Mayo Clinic exhibited both in a case brought to the USD Senior Legal Helpline by an 82-year-old cancer patient. She is fully insured under Medicare Part A and Part B and has a Mutual of Omaha Medicare supplemental policy. Last spring she was referred by her family physician to an urologist who in turn referred her to Mayo where at St. Mary's Hospital she underwent a complete hysterectomy and the removal of her bladder and a kidney. After an early discharge she returned home by auto, some 700 miles from Rochester, Minnesota She entered her community hospital for a post-surgical checkup. A clinician, concerned that her bowel may have been cut and that she was hemorrhaging, contacted Mayo and was told the patient needed to be immediately returned to Mayo. Mayo sent its fixed-wing air ambulance to pick up the caller. To her amazement she encountered what can only be characterized as a form of medical extortion: as a condition to boarding the ambulance she was required to pay a $2,405 "deposit." Since she was without such funds, her 85year-old sister wrote Mayo a check for that amount. The Mayo examination revealed no unusual complications and she was discharged, again returning home by auto. She then began receiving billings and harassing phone calls demanding that she pay an additional $7,215, the balance owed for the flight. Mayo charged $9,620 for the flight. Medicare refuses to pay on the grounds it was not a medical emergency. I contacted Mayo Transport and was told it does not deal with lawyers; that the calls and letters would continue. I wrote the caller's physician at Mayo, asking him to defend his medical judgment in an appeal to Medicare. Either Mayo is wrong, or Medicare is wrong. We will find out. (Pro bono legal information and advice is available to persons over 55 through the USD Senior Legal Helpline at 1-800-747-1895; mmyers @usd.edu) I'm detecting a slight twinkle." V A LLEY C L I N I C & ION O P T I C A L Speciaitz'mg in Kindness & Vision Eoccelfence £ Qjft of v\s,\on tin's year witj; a Gift Certificate 8 9 6 * 1 4 2 - (800) 789-2O3o RICHARD LUEKENGA, D.D. & DAVID GRAF, O.D. 145 No. 1OO East, Richfield • Gunnison • Bicknell BASIC COMPUTER CLASS OFFERED IN TROPIC Ever wonder what the big deal is "opening and closng a window" or why someone would ever want to use a mouse". The Garfield County Volunteer Center vill be sponsoring a Basic Computer Class to help you earn how to not only open and close windows, and use i mouse, but also show you how to get on the internet, et up an email account, use a digital camera and other jractical computer techniques. It's free. Starting from cratch on the computer? Then these classes are for 'ou; easy, weekly reviews and fun. Contact Shauna 7albot 679-8737 for sign-up or information. Basic Computing Classes Classes begin November 29,2006 Monday 3:30-4:00pm or Wednesday 7-7:30 Pm Bryce Valley Elementary School, Computer Room, Tropic Receipts: 1,838. Last Week: 1,818. Last Y ear: 1,341. Feeder Steers: Mixed Wts under 450 lbs 8.00-10.00 higher; 500-550 lbs 4.00-5.00 lower; other wts mixed but mostly steady. Feeder Heifers: mixed wts under 600 lbs 5.00-5.00 lower; 600 lb wts LOO lower; wts over 700 lbs 2.003.00 higher. Holstein Steers: mixed wts under 800 lbs mostly steady; wts over 800 lbs 4.00-5.00 higher. Slaughter Cows: weak to LOO lower on similar kinds. Slaughter Bulls: steady on similar kinds. Feeder Steers: Medium and Large Frame 1-2: 200-250 lbs scarce; 250-300 lbs scarce; 300-350 lbs 127.00-151.00; 350400 lbs 124.00-139.00; 400-450 lbs " 110.50-123.00; 450-500'lbs 99.00108.50; 500-550 lbs 96.00-104.50; 550600 lbs 90.00-98.00; 600-650 lbs 89.0098.00; 650-700 lbs 87.00-95.00; 700-750 lbs 88.50-95.75; 750-800 lbs 86.50-91.25; 800-850 lbs 88.50-92.25; 850-900 lbs 87.50-88.75; 900-1000 lbs scarce. Holsteins Steers: Large Frame 3 - Baby Bull Calves: scarce; 200-300 lbs scarce; 300-500 lbs 73.50-85.00; 500700 lbs 67.00-75.50; 700-900 lbs 59.00-72.50; 900-1000 lbs 68.50-69.50. Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large Frame 1-2: 200-250 lbs scarce; 250-300 lbs 2 lots 120.00; 300-350 lbs 106.00113.00; 350-400 lbs 97.00-108.00; 400450 lbs 95.00-101.50; 450-500 lbs 92.0097.00; 500-550 lbs 87.50-94.50; 550-600 lbs 85.50-93.50; 600-650 lbs 87.00-92.00; 650-700 lbs 88.50-91.25; 700-750 lbs 89.50-91.00; 750-800 lbs 84.50-88.50; 800-850 lbs scarce; 850-900 lbs 84.0088.00; 900-950 lbs 81.50-86.00; 9501000 lbs 81.50-85.50; Heiferettes: 36.0071.00. Stock Cows: Medium and Large Frame 1: Bred Heifers: 775,00-1,150.00/ hd.Y ounger Bred Cows: 825.00-975.00/ hd; Older Bred Cows 620.00-800.00/hd. Few Pairs 850.00-925.00/pr. Slaughter Cows: Boning 80-85% Lean: 37.75-44.00; Breaking 75-80% Lean: 36.50-43.50 Cutter 85-90% Lean: 30.5037.25. STEVE REGAN COMPANY 676-2300 PANGUITCH For all of your Farming, Ranching, Lawn & Garden needs |