I was absolutely incensed at the recent article by Janae Theodore (“Fight unreasonable health care costs,” Star-Advertiser, Raise Your Hand, April 7). She writes that doctors “manipulate the system” in order to run up medical bills. I am a solo physician in private practice. I am on call 24/7 for my patients. I work weekends and take work home at night. And I have zero say in what I get paid.

The insurance companies set the eligible charge that states what they will pay for a service. They determine what will apply to the patient’s deductible and what the patient’s copay will be.

If I order a lab test, the bill comes from the lab. I get nothing. If I send the patient for an imaging test, the payment goes to the imaging facility. I get nothing. If an insurer determines that we didn’t get the proper referrals or prior authorizations for a service, I get paid nothing.

Renee Saito

Downtown Honolulu

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