How Much Will That Cost Me? On Hospital Pricing

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            Hospital pricing is notoriously difficult to understand. Until very recently, it was also impossible to find out how much a hospital was going to charge you for a test or procedure until you got the bill.

            Starting January 1, 2021, each hospital operating in the United States was required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide both as a comprehensive machine-readable file with all items and services and in a display of shoppable services in a consumer-friendly format.

            Initially, this rule was largely disregarded, and those hospitals that did post prices did so in a way that only computer geeks could access. Gradually, more hospitals are complying.

            Does this matter to you? If you have good health insurance, it may not matter that much, as your insurance company will have negotiated rates for most hospital services. If you are uninsured (still 10% of the U.S. population) or if you are among the many more with high-deductible plans, it matters a lot.

            If you have a high-deductible plan, you may have to pay the entire charge for an MRI of your knee, and so if it is $800 or $2,800 matters.

            There are two things you need to know before “price shopping” for a test or procedure.

            The first is that prices vary wildly and with little correlation between price and quality. A recent study found that the hospital charge for uncomplicated vaginal childbirth varied from $1,183 to $55,221 (that is not a typo!).

            The second is that if you call the hospital billing department and ask the price, there will often be a major difference between what you are told and what is posted on the hospital website. In only 15% of hospitals that both posted prices online and gave them over the phone were the prices the same, and differences often exceeded 50%.

            So … if you are uninsured or underinsured, take the time to price shop when you can – when it is not an emergency. Try the websites for several hospitals near you to get an idea of which are at the high end and which at the low end. Then, try calling the billing departments. If they quote you a lower price than the online price, get in in writing by email or post.

            Two other cost-conscious suggestions:

            When you are well, check which hospitals near you are in your insurance network – when you are ill, this will probably not occur to you, and going to an out-of-network hospital can cost you dearly.

            Just because your doctor says you need something does not guarantee that it will be covered. Always ask if prior authorization is needed before having the test or procedure.

            The money you may save will be yours!

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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In L.C. Humphries’s papers that we have at the museum there is an entire section devoted to alewives (herring). The arrival of alewives in the springs of the 1700 and 1800’s was eagerly awaited. They were both a welcome food source and for some a money maker.

            In preparation for their arrival, all mills were required to draw down their mill ponds on April 10 so the alewives could reach Snipatuit Pond in North Rochester to spawn. In the distant past, the fish followed the Taunton River to the Nemaset River to Sampson Pond then Rockshire Pond into Quitticus Pond and then into a small stream that crossed N. Rochester Rd. and finally into Snipatuit Pond near the old Gerrish Farm.

            Prior to 1798, the Mattapoisett River ran through a swamp and was impassable for the fish, but around that time the river was cleared enough to let small herring, about the size of a finger, to get through and make their way to the ocean. Those alewives would stay there for three years, and the ones not eaten by predators would go back up the river to spawn in Snipatuit Pond, their birthplace.

            Herring were an important food source in early Rochester and residents were eager for April 15 and the annual run of herring. Each household was allowed one barrel of 400 fish and 10 shad. Family names would be posted on a list in three spots; at the tower on the Mattapoisett Weir, Church’s Mill and at Crapo’s Weir on Snipatuit Rd.

            The alewives were tasty and much in demand. The town made money because those receiving a barrel of the fish needed to pay for the cost of counting, packing and delivering the fish. Often families that moved from Rochester sold their rights to the alewives, sometimes for as much as a dollar- a big sum of money at the time.

            After the first run, fishing was allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On the rest of the days, the alewives were allowed to pass into Snipatuit Pond to spawn. This guaranteed plenty of fish for the future.

            One man, Charles C. Ricketson, bought up as many herring rights as he could and had a booming business selling smoked herring to customers in New Bedford. Humphrey explains how Ricketson prepared the fish for sale. The herring were strung on a stick with their backs up. The eyes were carefully picked off (I guess no one wanted their food staring at them). With 12 fish to a stick, carefully spaced so none were touching, the sticks were put on racks and smoked. He worked both day and night preparing and packing the fish.

            The picture here shows the equipment box belonging to Alewives Anonymous members as they prepare to set up the fish counter at the sluiceway at Snipatuit Pond. Today, with our warmer winters the herring arrive earlier; this year on March 15. The counter keeps track of the number of alewives as they pass into and out of Snipatuit. This year because of the high-water levels, some were able to sneak past the counter until adjustments were made.

            There are no longer the many thousands of herring that surged up the river a hundred or more years ago and residents no longer line up to get their barrels of fish, but they are still a crucial part of the ecosystem. They provide a window into the health of our waterways and need protection. As Art Benner, President of the Alewives Anonymous, pointed out, herring are born to be eaten by bigger fish, mammals and birds. Most importantly, they are the main food source of the endangered roseate terns that nest on Bird Island.

By Connie Eshbach

Providence Poets to Read at the Mattapoisett Library

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Award-winning Providence poets Karen Donovan and Catherine Imbriglio will read from their poetry on Saturday, May 18 at 2 pm, as part of the Purrington Series sponsored by the Mattapoisett Library Trust.

            Karen Donovan’s latest collection of poems, Monad+Monadnock, was published by Wet Cement Press. Her book Planet Parable (Etruscan Press) appears in the innovative multi-author volume Trio along with complete books by the poets Diane Raptosh and Daneen Wardrop. Her other books of poems are Your Enzymes Are Calling the Ancients (Persea Books), which won the Lexi Rudnitsky / Editor’s Choice Award, and Fugitive Red (University of Massachusetts Press), which won the Juniper Prize. She is also the author of Aard-vark to Axolotl (Etruscan Press), a collection of tiny stories and essays illustrated with engravings from a vintage Webster’s dictionary. She has new work in the 2022 anthology Dreaming Awake: New Contemporary Prose Poetry from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. From 1985 to 2005 she co-edited ¶: A Magazine of Paragraphs, a print journal of very short prose.

            Catherine Imbriglio is the author of two books of poetry, Parts of the Mass (Burning Deck), which received the Norma Farber First Book Award from the Poetry Society of America and Intimacy (Center for Literary Publishing), which received the Colorado Prize in Poetry. Her poetry and criticism have appeared in After Spicer (John Vincent, ed.), American Letters & Commentary, Aufgabe, A Broken Thing: Poets on the Line, Conjunctions, Contemporary Literature, Denver Quarterly, Epoch, Green Mountains Review, New American Writing, Pleiades, Poetry International, The Pact, West Branch and elsewhere. A selection of her poetry was anthologized in the Iowa Anthology of New American Poetries, ed. Reginald Shepherd (University of Iowa Press). She is a senior editor in poetry for Tupelo Quarterly.

            Both poets will have poetry books available for purchase and signing following the reading. Light refreshments will be served.

            The event was rescheduled from an April date when a power failure occurred in Mattapoisett, and the library had to be closed.

Rochester Council on Aging Candidate’s Forum

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It has been a tradition for the Rochester Council on Aging (COA) to hold a candidate’s forum during an election year. In keeping with tradition, we will be holding a forum for candidates on Wednesday, May 15 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Rochester Senior Center located at 67 Dexter Lane. Each of the candidates for town offices in Rochester will be given up to four minutes to address the audience. We hope that you will choose to join us for what should be an informative evening for our town’s voters.

Mattapoisett Museum & Boston University’s Student-run PR agency

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In January, the Mattapoisett Museum began its collaboration with PRLab at Boston University.

            Established in 1978, PRLab is the oldest student-run public relations agency in the country. The organization provides Boston University graduate and undergraduate students with “hands-on public relations experience that empowers them to push boundaries and produce results for brands and clients nationwide,” as written on its website.

            The agency works with a wide variety of clients, from local nonprofits like Aaron’s Presents to well-known chains like Ben & Jerry’s. PRLab’s services are primarily carried out by students enrolled in the CM580 course at the Boston University College of Communications. Most students act as account executives, with a select few taking on administrative roles. Each semester, the class is split into teams and assigned clients.

            I, along with my fellow account executives Molly Richendrfer, Noemie Zazueta and Rokii Tan, was assigned to the Mattapoisett Museum, a small local museum in a small town. Nearly all of the historical artifacts it houses are treasures donated by or acquired from community members over generations. They often represent memories or experiences that the donors cherish. Our primary contact has been Tobe Berkovitz, a member of the museum’s communications committee and former Boston University professor. Having worked with PRLab faculty in the past, he recommended this partnership.

            “The Mattapoisett Museum team has been such a pleasure to work with this semester. They’ve been so supportive and encouraging of us,” Richendrfer said. “Tobe, Jenn and David are always willing to give us advice, feedback and anything else we may need to be successful in our work together.” She has found our client to be “understanding of our lives and work capabilities as students.”

            Our team was tasked with reinvigorating the museum’s brand in preparation for its 2024 summer season. The goal was to establish a consistent voice and brand identity across all channels of communication, reinforcing this place’s identity as not just a museum, but a central hub for the community where people of all ages can come together for memorable experiences.

            Wecreated a comprehensive brand kit, which provides a template for logos, graphics, color schemes and typefaces that will be used in promotional materials. Additionally, we engaged in media outreach efforts to garner coverage from different local outlets. One result of our efforts is that the museum’s upcoming unveiling ceremony for its model of the bark Wanderer will receive coverage on a travel blog, called Backyard Roadtrips, in the form of both a written piece and a podcast episode. Our team also produced a variety of predrafted posts for the Mattapoisett Museum’s Facebook and Instagram accounts and organized those posts into a calendar. This ensures that our client will have a consistent stream of content throughout the entirety of the museum’s 2024 season.

            As students, PRLab has provided our team and me with valuable hands-on experience that will help prepare us for careers in this field. “PRLab is a great organization because it lets us do real work for real clients in an environment that is still very conducive to learning,” Richendrfer said. “No matter how much practice you do in school, it’s always different having your work actually mean something to a client rather than just turning it in for a grade.”

            Berkovitz hopes to continue working with PRLab on future projects. “PRLab offers professional quality work,” he said. “They’ve developed first-rate content and ideas to help the museum achieve its objectives—all of the work has gone beyond our expectations.” He believes the tools our team provided will have a long-term, positive impact on the Mattapoisett Museum’s brand.

            For more information on PRLab, visit prlabbu.com

By Max Shapiro

Doctors Who Move Away

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Out of the blue, a friend of mine called me last week. I hadn’t heard from him for some time. He had just found out that our mutual doctor was leaving the area and moving to South Carolina. He wanted to know what we could do about it. I suggested we kidnap the turncoat physician.

            It seems a lot of doctors are moving out of Massachusetts or retiring. According to the Massachusetts Medical Society, 1 in 4 doctors are planning to actually leave the profession in the next two years. That would be over 8,000 doctors out of the 32,116 that are now practicing.

            My guy isn’t going to stop doctoring, but why does he want to move away? His reasons are, of course his business, but why on earth would he want to leave our little group of Mattapoisett guys he calls “the Boys”? We’re all old and finding a new doctor is going to be traumatic. I for one may need to find a psychiatrist too. And why move to South Carolina? They have funny accents. It is really hot in the summer, and it rarely snows in the winter. (Come to think of it, it rarely snows here anymore.)

            They have hurricanes down there, and Kudzu, the vine that “ate the south” which can grow a foot a day. Don’t count on having a nice lawn. I’m told they have their fair share of alligators roaming around on the golf courses. Doctors play a lot of golf, right?

            I know from experience there is nothing worse than losing a doctor who you like, who you trust, and with whom you have built a rapport. I have had two doctors pass away, two who retired and one who moved away. Now this guy is moving away from me too.

            South Carolina is much too far to drive, though I’ve thought about it. Another friend of mine, who also shares my doctor, says he has relatives in South Carolina. He says he may schedule his annual checkup when he visits them.

            The first doctor I lost passed away after self-diagnosing a terminal illness. They say a doctor should never be his own patient. Do you think his own doctor moved away and left him on his own? The second one died on the golf course. I’m told he made the putt. At least he died happy, unlike his patients who were really bummed.

            Another of my doctors gave up his practice on the spot when he received a bill from Medicare for twenty-five cents. The government claimed he over-charged them. The guy had been spending nearly every night late at the office dealing with paperwork, so he had had enough. He told his secretary and his nurse to find new jobs. He was done! Maybe he moved to South Carolina to play golf.

            The doctor I had for 38 years retired, and another now spends his time sailing. As far as I know, he doesn’t play golf.

            I haven’t yet met the guy my doctor recommended to replace him. He is supposed to be a nice fellow, personable and very thorough. The first thing I will ask him is how old he is. If he is old, I’ll ask if he likes golf or sailing. That could be a clue if he is planning on retiring soon. When you are as old as I am, to have a young doctor who will likely outlast me is important. I’ll be sure to ask if he is planning on moving away.

            You have to ask these questions. You can’t take any chances.

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

Cannon Taking Career to Carver

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            Roughly one year after settling in as Rochester’s new town administrator, the Select Board will launch a search for its next town administrator after the members accepted Glenn Cannon’s letter of resignation during Monday’s public meeting at the Senior Center.

            Cannon’s resignation is effective on Monday, May 13, the date of Rochester’s Annual Town Meeting. After officially becoming town administrator in March 2022, Cannon announced he is leaving the position to accept the same job for the neighboring town of Carver effective Tuesday, May 14.

            “It is a bittersweet moment for me,” Cannon said after the vote. “I have this new opportunity in Carver. But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working for the town of Rochester.”

            The Select Board then appointed Finance Director and former Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar as interim town administrator until a new full-time town administrator is hired.

            Following this vote, the board made immediate to plans to find that candidate. Select Board member Adam Murphy announced the town needs a citizen to serve on the Town Administrator Search Committee that the board is forming. He said residents interested in serving should email Town Hall (at GCannon@townofrochester.com).

            Szyndlar, who had split her duties between that of town administrator and town accountant, took on the new position of finance director upon Cannon’s March 2022 hiring. She has since announced that FY25 will be her final year serving the town with a plan to retire on June 30, 2025.

            Keeping to the theme of personnel changes, the board appointed Rochester Police Lieutenant Donald Kemmett as interim police chief. It then announced an update to the search to find the full-time replacement for Chief Robert Small, who last month announced his retirement effective June 28.

            Murphy said the town’s posting to fill the position has already attracted eight interested applicants. The next steps will occur after the application deadline is reached on May 24.

            In other action, the Select Board approved and signed the 21-article warrant for the May 13 Annual Town Meeting without further comment. Town Moderator David Arancio said he was present for this vote, should there be anything the board wanted to go over with him. Chairman Paul Ciaburri said no. “Now the warrant is officially in your hands,” he told Arancio.

            There was no further discussion of the $12,000,000 debt exclusion request made by the Old Rochester Regional School District to make capital improvements around the school campus that in its last meeting, the board voted to not recommend to Town Meeting voters.

            The Select Board approved raising the part-time Police Officers’ pay to $25.40 per hour effective May 12. The officers’ prior pay rate was $21 per hour.

            The board authorized the town administrator to sign the winning bidder as the town goes out to bid to renew its contract with the Community Electric Energy Aggregate Agreement contract that saves town residents on their utility costs. Board members said it is an effort to seek a lower price than the town’s current electricity provider, Eversource.

            The board approved allocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, $11,600 for a consultant firm to conduct a search for the new police chief and $6,000 for a firm to conduct a police sergeant assessment.

            The Rochester Select Board will meet next on Monday, May 6, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Rochester Friends of Library Book Sale

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The Friends of the Library will be holding a Book Sale on Friday, May 17 from 12 noon to 5pm and Saturday, May 18 from 10 am to 2 pm. The Plumb Memorial Library is located at 17 Constitution Way in Rochester. Weather permitting, the sale will take place outside near the Gazebo. Otherwise, the sale will be held in the Library’s Program Room downstairs.

            The Library is offering bargain prices on books, games and puzzles. The Plumb Library Youth Group will also be holding a Bake Sale on Saturday.

            Book donations are being accepted during Library open hours. Please do not place donations in the book drop.

            Proceeds from the Book Sale help fund Library programs. We hope to see you there and appreciate support from the community.

Book (re)Marks: What’s up this month at Plumb?

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Welcome to Book (re)Marks, all the info you need about what’s happening at the Library this month. Did you know that May is Mystery Month? Come check out our display of thrillers, suspense novels, cozy mysteries, who-done-its and more.

            The Friends of the Library will be holding their Spring Book Sale from 12 to 5 pm on Friday May 17 and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday May 18, outside near the Gazebo, or in the Library Program Room if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Prices start at just $0.50 and there will be a $10 “fill a bag” deal. The Library Youth Group will also be holding a Bake Sale during the Book Sale on Saturday, with a selection of delicious homemade goodies being sold by donation.

            Save the Date. Local author Richard Cutler will be presenting a discussion on Sci-Fi Writing at 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 25. Mr. Cutler has written and published a number of science fiction novels and will talk about the importance of the genre. He will also have books for sale and signing (cash or check only). Registration is required via the Events Calendar on our website, space is limited.

            The COA Book Club will meet at 1 pm on Tuesday May 21 to discuss “Circe” by Madeline Miller. Books & Babble Book Club will be discussing “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge at 6:30 pm on Thursday May 30. Books for both clubs are available for pickup at the Library or on the Libby app.

            We also have 4 book clubs for kids. BookBuds meet the first Friday at 4 pm and 5 pm and Saturday at 10 am and 11 am of the month. There are groups for kids from ages 6-teen. See our Events Calendar for more info.

            Do you like to knit, crochet, or cross stitch? If so, join us from 6 to 8 pm on Mondays for a social gathering of handcrafters. Bring your latest project or something from the stash.

            Maybe your creative outlet involves pen and paper? Join our Writer’s Group the third Thursday of every month to keep those ideas flowing. Open to anyone 18+. Next meeting is 6:30 pm on May 16.

            The Board of Library Trustees is meeting at 6:30 pm, Tuesday, May 14. This meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted here: www.townofrochestermass.com/node/425/agenda

            Looking for a fun, money-saving activity to do with friends or family? Check out our selection of Museum and Zoo Passes. Available passes are: Buttonwood Park Zoo, Heritage Museum & Gardens, Maplewood Enrichment Center, the Newport Art Museum, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts–Boston, and MA State Parks.

Rev. Lisabeth Brimm

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Rev. Lisabeth Brimm passed away peacefully at McCarthy Care Center in East Sandwich, MA on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Liz was the devoted life partner of 31 years to Carol M. Wester of Mattapoisett, MA.

Liz was born in Shawnee, OK to Preston and Lou Brimm, and had two beloved brothers, Patrick, and Michael, all of whom pre-deceased her. She is also pre-deceased by her much beloved Service Dog, and loving canine companion of 12 years, Ava.

Liz was a scholar, an accomplished woman, a self-made person, and always saw the best in everyone, and in every situation.

She graduated from Colorado College, having attended on a full academic Boettcher scholarship, where she was very active in social and women’s rights causes. She also graduated from Andover Newton Yale Theological School, and took great pride in this, fulfilling a life-long dream of serving God, and helping others to enjoy God’s presence and blessings.

Liz also had long and distinguished careers in software and hardware computer sales for major national companies, insurance sales, and served as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. She was the Protestant Chaplain for the Wrentham Developmental Center for several years, and proudly served people with intellectual disabilities. She most recently served as a Pulpit Supply minister at many area churches, and temporary pastor at the West Congregational Church in Taunton, which she enjoyed tremendously. She was also an active member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, and North Congregational Church in Middleborough.

Liz leaves behind her beloved companion Carol, as well as many dear friends, including Rev. Dale Thackery of Marion, Rev. Aimee Dion of Pocasset, and Havens Levitt of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She also leaves her extended family members, Barbara and Douglas Bingham of Raynham, Janice Wester and Grace Trivers of Chelmsford, Andrew, Molly, and Colby Januse of Fall River, Martha Januse and Zelia Costa of Taunton, Treesie Allen of Dallas, Texas, Michael Martin and Amy Peterson of Fairhaven, and Grace Resendes of New Bedford.

In honor of Liz, please perform an act of kindness, say a prayer, treasure the people you love, pet a dog, and see the miracle in every day. Donations may be kindly made to the any animal protective agency of your choice.

A Memorial Service will be held for Liz on Saturday, May 11th at 2PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. Friends are invited to arrive at the funeral home at 1:30 PM. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com