the healthcare scam

[rdking647]

my wife had a knee replacement last month
just got the first bill from one of the doctors
total bill 2700
insurance pain 170
our amount due 40

than means the doctor was going to charge an uninsured patient 1200% more than they were willing to accept from an insured patient

That should be outright illegal
medical providers should be barred form charging uninsured people any more than they accept from an insured patient.

[CozyMystery]

1. Try, as an uninsured patient, finding out what a procedure will cost beforehand.

I have waited, in one instance, for 2 hours while a pediatrician's office came up with the charge for a routine visit.

I have waited in vain for a hospital or any other physician to be able to tell me the cost of procedures or visits before I undertake them. I have never been told the cost beforehand. Ever. Because "it can't be done".

[mitch96]

2. This happens all the time...

Hospitals and Dr's offices negotiate with insurance companys to get the price down by asking for a volume discount... Which the insurance companys always agree to. It depends on the volume and the discount... Sometimes if you can get the doctor alone and offer HIM/HER a direct cash payment you can get a deal.. My buddy does that with his ophthalmologist. He pays out of pocket as he just needs a prescription not an office visit... Works for him!!

The art of the deal....
m