By Bill Rusteberg
Ruben Edelstein practiced managed care in his own way. The son of immigrants, he ran a successful furniture business in South Texas. An astute businessman, he grew the business with locations throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas.
I was fortunate to know him. Mr. Edelstein ran a lean operation and took care of his valued employees. He knew each one by name. And he provided health insurance although he didn’t have to in those days. I was his broker for many years and learned more from him than he did from me.
One day he called. “Bill, when you are in the area, please come by to see me” he said. “Of course Mr. Edelstein, I will be right over” I replied.
I arrived at his office and was escorted in to see him. His office was spartan, with an old military desk with an old fashion typewriter nearby. Mr. Edelstein typed his own correspondence, using one finger the speed of which often amazed me.
“Good morning Mr. Edelstein! How can I help you today? I asked.
“Well, I just noticed we received a bill for an MRI for $4,200. I think that is too high, can you do anything about this? I have only so much money. Our plan is not a welfare plan with unlimited funds!” he replied.
“Let me see what I can do Mr. Edelstein.”
I took the bill down to the MRI center and asked to speak to the business manager.
“Hi, I represent Mr. Edelstein, owner of Edelsteins Better Furniture with over 300 employees, and we would like to contract with you for MRI services” I said.
Without hesitation the business manager said “Certainly, we can provide MRI’s for $750.”
“Good, let’s start with this one” I said as I handed him the invoice.
On another occasion, Mr. Edelstein called and said “Bill, we have a first year employee whose coverage is limited to $10,000 under our plan. She just found out she needs an emergency hysterectomy and was told the bill would be around $28,000. Can you help?”
“Let me see what I can do Mr. Edelstein” I replied.
I met with a local hospital administrator that afternoon and told her “I have $10,000, will write you a check right now if you can arrange a global fee of $10,000 for this valued employee of Edelsteins Better Furniture.”
The result of Mr. Edelstein’s managed care protocol? The patient was treated for $10,000 including all facility and professional charges.
Mr. Ruben Edelstein passed away this week at age 96.
NOTE: This article was published eleven years ago shortly after his passing in July 2014. I could expand this article to include more of Mr. Edelstein’s Managed Care strategies but I’ll leave that for another day.
