Family member just had a sonogram at a hospital. Billed as $2285.75. Insurance discount $1797.86. Hospital accepts payment of $487.89.
Consider the overhead costs on processing that $487.89. Why shouldn't everyone be able to walk in and pay $487.89, regardless of their insurance or lack thereof?
I have seen the same sort of nonsense with my bloodwork .. over $600 billed, $60 or so is accepted. But, Joe Public would have to pay the $600.
This such a racket ... made to make you beg for insurance. This is such a corrupt system. I cannot believe this sort of collusion/racketeering/price gouging is legal.
Instead of messing with “like your doctor keep your doctor” or “single payer,” how about just cleaning up the billing so every poor schlub has a fighting chance to meet their medical bills????
This gets me so angry. (pant pant)
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
The hospital covers illegals bills also.
I agree with you, and have been saying this for a long time. I went into a dental clinic one time, and a sign said if you have insurance you will be billed at a higher rate. I had insurance, but canceled my appointment because of the discrimination.
“ here is the number one healthcare reform I want to see: That the accepted amount for any procedure is billed the same to all clients, whether insured or not.”
I agree. It seems ridiculously unfair. When we were unemployed when we first moved here and had to buy insurance, we chose to go ahead and get dental insurance even though the cost was fairly high. Mainly because Delta dental would bargain down prices so that the dentist couldn’t charge an arm and a leg. If you don’t have insurance then you don’t have that bargaining power. I wouldn’t even know what any procedure’s price would be reasonable.
My eye doctor in Boston, Blue Cross Blue Shield said his exam was worth 300 something, and the confocal microscope $99. I know of several people trying to go to him and paying out of pocket, tops tells them it is $1600 just for the exam. And 900 for the confocal. If they can except 300 for an exam at 99 for the microscopy, why can’t they do that for the other patients?