Medical bills: Cash or Deductible

[Gotadimple]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 My colonoscopy scenario was talking to a major hospital. We were trying to determine the facility fee.

Audrey,
Do you have a need to stay overnight? Colonoscopies are ambulatory surgery (takes just a few hours). Are there no Ambulatory Surgery Centers near you? They might be less expensive. Your health insurance may also have a comparison tool you can use to check prices.

- Rita

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotadimple Audrey, Do you have a need to stay overnight? Colonoscopies are ambulatory surgery (takes just a few hours). Are there no Ambulatory Surgery Centers near you? They might be less expensive. Your health insurance may also have a comparison tool you can use to check prices. - Rita

No. This was for an outpatient procedure. All the endoscopy centers here are associated with a major hospital.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donheff So, if you paid cash couldn't you still submit the bill to your carrier for reimbursement?

This is what we do if we need treatment while traveling abroad so I think it should work domestically.

I have a friend who retired from the same company as myself and has the same BCBS PPO. Last year while in Vienna his wife took ill and needed to go see a doctor who prescribed some pills. They paid for the doctor visit and the prescription, filed a claim when they got back and to his pleasant surprise got fully reimbursed.