5 ms·

"Shop around" is a great capitalist mantra, except that medical emergencies are pretty obviously a situation where you're absolutely not going to shop around.

brianwawok 2y ago
This is the obvious case. What is even more shocking is the happy case. You have a week to make an appointment for an outpatient procedure. Call around. No one can even give you a price. Doctor doesn’t know; sends you to some billing department. They don’t know. You will spend a month to find the actual price at 5 places, and it’s not even locked in price. Bill come for another amount? Tough
- nradov 2y ago
  Some of this has improved under the No Surprises Act. In certain situations the provider may be legally required to give you a "good faith estimate", or at least not send you excessive bills after treatment. https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights/know-your-rights https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights/know-your-rights
  - monkeyfun 2y ago
    I've yet to encounter a single clinic or hospital that complied when I tried making requests for an estimate of any sort. (In Texas)
    - nradov 2y ago
      If a provider organization is out of regulatory compliance, then you should file an official complain with CMS. I understand that this is a hassle but it's the only way to improve the situation.
- xtiansimon 2y ago
  “No one can even give you a price.” Ha! I needed to visit a sports therapist. Called an office near me and asked the cost to see the doctor. > We can’t say, we don’t know what procedures the doctor might order. I understand, I say. Just tell me how much for the consultation. Walk in the door and see the doctor. > [repeat] Let’s take the most common case. Say the doctor orders cortisone shot, but I decline this care. Then how much? > Don’t you have insurance? Yes. As I stated earlier I do have insurance, but I don’t have a co-pay plan. I have a deductible plan—-i don’t know why I need to explain the difference—-that means I pay full price until I reach my high yearly deductible. Since I haven’t been sick, I’m at $0 right now. > Where did you get our number? From my health insurance’s web site. > I don’t think this is the doctor’s office for you. Click.
  - PorterBHall 2y ago
    Whoa!
QuantumGood 2y ago
I ended up in the same E.R. several months apart for the same thing. Other than an MRI the first time, identical treatment, prescriptions and length of stay. First time: Over $11,000 Second time: Under $900

brianwawok 2y ago

This is the obvious case. What is even more shocking is the happy case. You have a week to make an appointment for an outpatient procedure. Call around. No one can even give you a price. Doctor doesn’t know; sends you to some billing department. They don’t know. You will spend a month to find the actual price at 5 places, and it’s not even locked in price. Bill come for another amount? Tough

nradov 2y ago
Some of this has improved under the No Surprises Act. In certain situations the provider may be legally required to give you a "good faith estimate", or at least not send you excessive bills after treatment. https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights/know-your-rights https://www.cms.gov/medical-bill-rights/know-your-rights
- monkeyfun 2y ago
  I've yet to encounter a single clinic or hospital that complied when I tried making requests for an estimate of any sort. (In Texas)
  - nradov 2y ago
    If a provider organization is out of regulatory compliance, then you should file an official complain with CMS. I understand that this is a hassle but it's the only way to improve the situation.
xtiansimon 2y ago
“No one can even give you a price.” Ha! I needed to visit a sports therapist. Called an office near me and asked the cost to see the doctor. > We can’t say, we don’t know what procedures the doctor might order. I understand, I say. Just tell me how much for the consultation. Walk in the door and see the doctor. > [repeat] Let’s take the most common case. Say the doctor orders cortisone shot, but I decline this care. Then how much? > Don’t you have insurance? Yes. As I stated earlier I do have insurance, but I don’t have a co-pay plan. I have a deductible plan—-i don’t know why I need to explain the difference—-that means I pay full price until I reach my high yearly deductible. Since I haven’t been sick, I’m at $0 right now. > Where did you get our number? From my health insurance’s web site. > I don’t think this is the doctor’s office for you. Click.
- PorterBHall 2y ago
  Whoa!

QuantumGood 2y ago

I ended up in the same E.R. several months apart for the same thing. Other than an MRI the first time, identical treatment, prescriptions and length of stay. First time: Over $11,000 Second time: Under $900