Matthew Wetschler

A Stanford-trained Emergency Physician, visual artist, and inspirational speaker.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

@BBGDerek @OscarHealth It is still ongoing but Oscar has started dialogue with the hospital as well as debt collectors. My fingers are crossed.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

A recent article by @chrissyfarr has thrust my story into the spotlight - a doctor struggling with nearly $40,000 of medical debt after surviving a spinal cord injury. The attention has opened a rabbit hole into the underbelly of our healthcare system.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

Detail photo of “Intention” 48x60. The emergent patterns have an interesting biological quality. #painting #instaart #artist #abstractpainting #abstractart @ San Francisco, California https://t.co/Qg9BjAtdj1

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

Amazed by the work of @mcloughlinart for assembling a beautiful catalogue! Soon to be available for those interested. #instaart #artist #painting #interiordesign #abstractart @ San… https://t.co/AIxevEj79s

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

Excited to install “Lift III” for my friend Tamara in Oakland! The raking light from the window couldn’t be more perfect. #painting #interiordesign #instaart #artist #abstractart @… https://t.co/5Phk3GW6db

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

@jonesraleigh I would agree, policy that limits cost variability based on percentage of Medicare would be an excellent step forward.

[Jan Oldenburg ☮️ @janoldenburg]

@mwetschler @chrissyfarr Be grateful you live in a state where the practice of balance billing is illegal as that gives you some power as a consumer; for those of us in states where the practice is legal, there's much less recourse (except public shaming, of course!)

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

Greater awareness of legal protection and more robust laws limiting the extent to which hospitals and doctors can overcharge for services rendered as out-of-network (some states cap at 125% of Medicare rate) would be a good step. @CNBC #healthcare

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

If you enter the hospital through the ER, the is a 20% chance you will get a surprise out-of-network bill. Additionally, state laws don’t apply to employees whose companies self-insure - the way 60% of Americans get coverage. There is yet to be federal regulation.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

I have, like many Americans, fallen prey to the practice of “balance billing”. Out-of-network hospitals and doctors charge excessively high prices and when insurance companies only pay a “usual and customary” price, they stick the patient with the remaining balance.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

Grateful for drmike and ll recent purchase of “Hold I” 36 x 48. Their home looks absolutely beautiful! #art #instaart #painting #artist #abstractart #interiordesign @ San Francisco,… https://t.co/CG8L4jDOof

[Thomas Welch, Former FDA Senior Int Policy Analyst @ThomasWelch15]

@mwetschler @chrissyfarr @OscarHealth Could a reporter find out how many other (inflated) bills this hospital issued around the same time (for tax reasons)? No, because of HIPAA (purportedly).

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

To continue the story by @chrissyfarr with my struggle with @OscarHealth for timely payment of emergent out-of-network care. I learned today that I have 41 separate accounts with balances due submitted to a debt collector by @UCSFHospitals! What ludicrous complexity.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

@844y @picardonhealth @chrissyfarr @CNBC Considering the average amount needed to bankrupt a family in the US is $10,000, yes it is.

[Matthew Wetschler @mwetschler]

Thank you @chrissyfarr of CNBC for reporting my ongoing struggle with @OscarHealth to make sure the remaining $27,000+ in bills for my emergent surgery are covered. Im a doctor with a masters degree, if its a struggle for me, what about everyone else?

https://t.co/KsCu7dOyZq