Healthcare costs... *sigh*

[iradney]

Keep it clean guys. Don't feel like handing out infractions today.

[FormerCallingCardRep]

When I had my youngest 18 years ago she was delivered by c-section prematurly after a very difficult pregnacy. The total hospital bills, Dr bills ect for the two of us was just over a half a million. My bill to pay after the insurance I had at the time $0

[Beckpatton]

I'm just curious, and not trying to head into fratching territory here, (I think this is ok to ask)

You can negotiate your medical bills down? Or at least your insurance companies can? Why do they bill you for things in the first place, if they are going to remove them upon negotiation? Can people without insurance negotiate themselves?

Again, not having a go at the system. Just curious as to how it works?

[EvilEmpryss]

Yes, you can negotiate with the hospitals yourselves. Problem is that you've got the hospital and each individual doc billing separately in some cases, ans not all will play nice. Most wold rather get something than nothing and give "cash discounts", but it's still hit or miss. If you have insurance but high co-pays you might be better off as the hospital already got something from the insurance and I've found they're willing to come down on your portion if you can prove hardship.

On the front side of that, you can also negotiate with the docs *before* any surgery that isn't an emergency case.

Just be glad no one here needed scorpion antivenom. That stuff's going for about $40k a dose in Arizona. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...ill/57629668/1

[Catwoman2965]

And for something on the opposite end of the spectrum, when i was visiting my mom a few months back, she presented me with the itemized hospital bill from when I was born. in 1965. Grand total, for her and me was $195.90. It included 4 days in a semi-private room for mom, $88, 4 days in the nursery for me, $40, $50 for the delivery room, $4 lab, $2 x-ray, and $11.90 for drugs. I don't know how much the dr.'s fee was, but I can't imagine much more than that. We both found it quite funny.

[Not Lillith]

bleah. rant. freakin' hospital bills. Plus hate that "hospital bill" doesn't cover the doctors, physical therapists, nor blood draws or lab work. Why does that all have to be billed seperatly? I could easily pay off a 2 day hospital stay in three years...if I'm willing to give up my apartment and live in my car.

Ah, for the good 'ol days when it only cost me $750.00 for a blood draw and a 1 minute 45 second consult with a doctor which resulted in this conversation: "You have hepatitus. Nope, nothing we can do about it. Get lots of sleep and don't get dehydrated. Wash your hands alot and don't touch anyone. You'll be fine in about 3 to 9 months."

[It shouldn't]

I'm just curious, and not trying to head into fratching territory here, (I think this is ok to ask)

You can negotiate your medical bills down? Or at least your insurance companies can? Why do they bill you for things in the first place, if they are going to remove them upon negotiation? Can people without insurance negotiate themselves?

Again, not having a go at the system. Just curious as to how it works?

I'm curious, too. I have a high deductible insurance and cysts on my ovaries that need watching. And the bills for the ultrasounds alone are getting outrageous. Nevermind the blood tests and docs to interpret the U/S pics.

[chikenlady]

I LOVE the Canadian health care system.... 3 kids, broken bones, (hubby, me and 2 of the kids)
Out of pocket expense $0. Provincial health care premium $0

[Bandit]

As someone who has a genetic, incurable disease, I am very thankful that I can still work and be covered by insurance with a $50 once-a-year co-pay for scripts.

My sympathies to the OP - sucks to be stuck with a bill like that.

B

[Skeen]

When I found out I needed my gallbladder out I broke down in tears in the car after the consult. I had no insurance and no money, and I was so far away from home I might as well have been on Saturn. Thank god Australia has universal healthcare and I got on a waiting list. Out of pocket expense? $5, for the TV in my hospital room.

A few years ago I had a breast reduction, and again I paid nothing. This time (in the States) I was just lucky my insurance agreed it was necessary beforehand, because I could never have come up with the $40k it took to do it. That's why I didn't have it done a decade ago, actually. I don't think I even have a deductible. ::goes looking for insurance card to check::

[Kitkatswing]

If it werent for the insane medical costs, my husband and I would have moved to Hawaii years ago (Australian)....

[AnaKhouri]

I also had a c-section and looking at the bills afterward it was around $7000 (induction, surgery, 4 days' stay, crappy meals etc. ). We paid about $300 of that. We have been very lucky to get great insurance through my husband's job.

[AmbrosiaWriter]

I know some plans have either a yearly maximum deductible or a maximum lifetime deductible...I can't imagine being on US medical sometimes

Actually, with "Obamacare" that's being addressed. Honestly, a lot of us are annoyed with our healthcare being for profit, but that's heading into fratching territory I believe.

But yeah, we have new legislation that was passed that puts an end to "Oh, you hit your max, no more insurance for you! Oh, and it's too bad you were still paying your insurance premiums even though we had no intention of paying for anything else for you because, you know, you hit your max."

[Not Lillith]

because I work part-time my medical insurance still has a max payout of $2,500/year.

I even just recieved a notice stating as much. "Even though the law says there shouldn't be a max payout, we can do this because we have waiver from the govt, to limit the payout 'cause otherwise medical care would be completely and utterly unaffordable to you."

p.s. Don't get sick.

p.s.s. maybe you shouldn't drive or be withing 500 ft of heavy machinery 'cause if you are hospitalized we are only liable for up to $500/hospital visit.

P.s.s.s. This coverage will only cost you $720/ year.

[ozcatbug]

Just because I live in Australia doesn't mean it's not possible to negotiate your hospital and surgery costs. I had two surgeries a couple of years ago. It was the same operation done on both my ears and was so experimental that it was the first time it had been done in Australia. At the time of the first surgery I hadn't been able to work for two years. I was on unemployment, and getting that surgery, even with health insurance, was going to be impossible. So the surgeon actually waived his fees, as well as the anesthesiologist, and my health insurance gap pay ended up being $150 for the hospital visit. For the next surgery, the anesthesiologist charged a reduced rate, plus with the hospital visit the gap ended up being about $400.

Even if the surgeon wasn't getting something out of the surgery (he is currently writing a paper on my case and he will always be the first surgeon to do this down under) he still had the power to waive his fee for those that otherwise couldn't afford necessary surgery. In my case, if I hadn't gotten the surgery I would have been on disability for the rest of my life, and it really wouldn't have been a very nice life. My surgeon was a wonderful man who gave me my life back.