Posted on 04/29/2025 4:51:25 AM PDT by Red Badger
As far as I know, it’s the doctor.
Some will accept the insurance payment as paid in full; others won’t.
My favorite example: When I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I bought a CPAP from the doctor recommended medical supply house using my insurance. Total cost of the CPAP was $2500. I paid $500 for my deductible, then 80% of the remainder - total out of pocket about $660. When I bought a replacement years later, I bought direct from a CPAP website for around $700. So in my original transaction about $1800 disappeared down the medical cost hole. I didn’t pay it direct, but my premiums paid it indirectly.
About 20 years ago, an eye doctor told me that, if a patient had no insurance, he’d charge $5 for a visit. He said insured patients cost him much more because he needs an office staff to process the paperwork.
JMHO - The main reason we need insurance is for catastrophic health events. I knew a family who had no insurance, and they lost their house when one parent needed cancer treatment.
But the little things, like checkups, probably would cost us less without insurance.
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