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$$$ Lab Work

hunter91011hunter91011 member
in September 2012 Moms
I just got a bill for my 1st trimester prenatal screening, and my portion is $227!  I was so shocked by this because the doctor told me to call insurance to make sure they covered cystic fibrosis, and one other one, and if they didn't cover it, not to get it.  They said they covered, but neglected to tell me that since it wasn't a "normal" prenatal test to them they only covered 80%...that one screening was $750!  I am not a carrier...at least next pregnancy I won't have to get that one, but sheesh...I wasn't expecting to have to pay for any of that bloodwork.
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Re: $$$ Lab Work

  • danabsddanabsd member

    Are you sure you weren't billed in error?  We got a very large bill a couple weeks ago, DH called and we were billed in error our responsibility was actually $0.

    Just a thought...  Huh?

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  • rsp247rsp247 member
    That does stink. When I called to make my appointment for the first screening the hospital where it was done they sent me paper work with a list of codes and what lab they were sending it to for me to call my insurance company and make sure they were all covered prior to the test. Next time ask for the codes.  But I would call the insurance company and or dr office and complain. I went for a procedure once not pregnancy related that was supposed to be 100% covered that I got a bill for $1600. it took almost 5 months for me to talk to the right person at my insurance company to get them to file it correctly that I owed nothing.  Good luck
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  • hunter91011hunter91011 member
    imagekyssmi88sd:

    Are you sure you weren't billed in error?  We got a very large bill a couple weeks ago, DH called and we were billed in error our responsibility was actually $0.

    Just a thought...  Huh?

    I called insurance, and they said its correct.  Some of the tests weren't considered "normal" prenatal.

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  • hunter91011hunter91011 member

    imagersp247:
    That does stink. When I called to make my appointment for the first screening the hospital where it was done they sent me paper work with a list of codes and what lab they were sending it to for me to call my insurance company and make sure they were all covered prior to the test. Next time ask for the codes.  But I would call the insurance company and or dr office and complain. I went for a procedure once not pregnancy related that was supposed to be 100% covered that I got a bill for $1600. it took almost 5 months for me to talk to the right person at my insurance company to get them to file it correctly that I owed nothing.  Good luck

    The Dr's office told me to ask insurance before I got it done, and I did, but insurance neglected to tell me that they were only going to cover 80% because they don't consider the a couple of the medically necessary for pregnancy.  Kind of a pain because the doctor told me if they didn't cover them not go get them...I wish they would have told me.

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  • hunter91011hunter91011 member

    imagemands629:
    I feel your pain.  I'm expecting a blood work bill soon.  I was in such a daze when I went in for my first prenatal exam, that I consented to my OB's office drawing my labs instead of walking down the hall to have the hospital I work at do it.  (When I use my hospital's lab, then it's free vs having to pay if a doctor does it.)  Grrr.  Well, I won't forget that when it comes to my quad screen next week.

    I don't know if it is the same thing, but I also asked my insurance about the 2nd trimester screening, that is on a carbon copy paper from state of California Public Health, and they said they will cover 100% of that one.  Then the only bloodwork the Dr is anticipating me to have after that is my gestational diabetes test at 28 weeks, which they will also cover.

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  • BabySeaTurtlesBabySeaTurtles member

    I work in medical billing at a doctor's office.  Sometimes, (although not always), if the doctor's office uses the right diagnosis or obtains authorization for the tests that aren't considered "normal," the insurance companies will cover it like a "normal" test. 

    Insurance companies truly blow. You can call them until you are blue in the face but if you don't know the exact questions to ask, then you're totally screwed because they will not volunteer information or explain to the fullest.

    I'm one of the lucky ones with great insurance, but because I understand how the billing works, I really sympathize with those who don't have insurance and even good insurance.  Kudos to all you moms who suck it up and fork out the money to get these tests done for the well being of your children. If I were drinking alcohol at the moment I would propose a toast to you.




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  • VineyardMelVineyardMel member
    My first tri bloodwork (which didn't include CF or the NT scan blood work) was billed at over $1200 and our part was $447. I'm so glad I shelled out that much money to find out I do not, in fact, have HIV or syphilis. Gah.
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  • hunter91011hunter91011 member

    imageVineyardMel:
    My first tri bloodwork (which didn't include CF or the NT scan blood work) was billed at over $1200 and our part was $447. I'm so glad I shelled out that much money to find out I do not, in fact, have HIV or syphilis. Gah.

    haha...exactly.  I didn't have any of the NT scan stuff, but I did the the CF because insurance said they would pay for it.  I am also glad they told me I don't have any STD's...Thanks, but I already knew that.  I guess they have to cover all of their bases.

    My total before insurance was $2,200, so I guess $227 of that isn't too bad.

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  • Fluff28Fluff28
    I had to pay $121 for the blood test that said I was pregnant (apparently a pregnancy blood test isn't medically necesarry, I never would have agreed to it if I'd known I was paying!).  Plus I just got notification from my insurance co to expect a $183 bill for my regular 1st tri bloodwork.  They picked and chose which blood tests were covered.  I really wish I had a list in advance of the test and codes to have run it by my doctor, I could have gone without the syphilis testing had I known it was on my dime!
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  • hunter91011hunter91011 member

    imageFluff28:
    I had to pay $121 for the blood test that said I was pregnant (apparently a pregnancy blood test isn't medically necesarry, I never would have agreed to it if I'd known I was paying!).  Plus I just got notification from my insurance co to expect a $183 bill for my regular 1st tri bloodwork.  They picked and chose which blood tests were covered.  I really wish I had a list in advance of the test and codes to have run it by my doctor, I could have gone without the syphilis testing had I known it was on my dime!

    Exactly...DH was like, well, at least next time we know to ask about some of the tests.  The most expensive one was the CF, and I don't think they covered the blood typing completely either.  So at least I know that I won't have to get those next time.

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