"It's cheaper than going in again to get it out," explained a spokesman for health care provider Underhill Insurance, regarding the item — a forcep featuring fenestrated jaws, a flat handle with spring action, about 5.25" in length and a satin finish — valued between $75 and $225, depending upon whether it's made from stainless steel or titanium.
"There aren't any really sharp edges so it's probably not going to puncture anything important and," the spokesman continued, "Given this patient's age and medical history, some surgeon is gonna be in there again pretty soon for one thing or another," adding, "In the meantime, we're not signing off on any MRI's for this guy and, this time, it really is in the best interest of the patient."
The company offered no statement indicating whether, when retrieved, the forcep would remain the patient's property, a "Souvenir", according to Underhill, or if its ownership would revert to the medical facility and the charge for it reimbursed.
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