I have a moderately high deductible health insurance plan. My provider, Coventry encourages me to check on the cost of procedures ahead of time. Great, I'd love to since I have to pay until I hit the deductible.
After my mammogram, I'm encouraged to get an automated ultrasound - not because they saw anything but because of the density of my breasts.
OK, I've got 3 questions. Is the ultrasound needed? Are there risks? And what will it cost me? The need is equivocal - some studies suggest, "yes" - the machine that will be used is fairly new - no double blind studies on its use. No major risks to an ultrasound. Potential small risks of false positives.
Now for the kicker, "What will it cost me?" The provider sends me to their billing office. They say to check with the insurance company, who says to check with the provider. In the process of being kicked around to various supervisors, an online web site with cost estimator program, etc., I now have potential costs ranging from $44 to $1,200! But everyone says that they can't assure that is correct as the provider code might be wrong, the procedure code might be wrong... Assuming that the code that the provider's business office gave me is what will actually be billed, it looks like $75 is the most likely cost but I'm still unsure that is right.
What experiences do people have getting cost estimates ahead of time and what might be the pitfalls in this scenario. with the equivocal usefulness, I might skip it at $1,000 but would probably go with Doctor recommendation at $75.
After my mammogram, I'm encouraged to get an automated ultrasound - not because they saw anything but because of the density of my breasts.
OK, I've got 3 questions. Is the ultrasound needed? Are there risks? And what will it cost me? The need is equivocal - some studies suggest, "yes" - the machine that will be used is fairly new - no double blind studies on its use. No major risks to an ultrasound. Potential small risks of false positives.
Now for the kicker, "What will it cost me?" The provider sends me to their billing office. They say to check with the insurance company, who says to check with the provider. In the process of being kicked around to various supervisors, an online web site with cost estimator program, etc., I now have potential costs ranging from $44 to $1,200! But everyone says that they can't assure that is correct as the provider code might be wrong, the procedure code might be wrong... Assuming that the code that the provider's business office gave me is what will actually be billed, it looks like $75 is the most likely cost but I'm still unsure that is right.
What experiences do people have getting cost estimates ahead of time and what might be the pitfalls in this scenario. with the equivocal usefulness, I might skip it at $1,000 but would probably go with Doctor recommendation at $75.
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