Ugh, just rec'd bill for u/s..not happy

jenp02 · November 2008

Our insurance Co just sent us a statement telling us that our "big" u/s was $989, and they are only covering $100 of it. I think this is really disgusting. It's standard prenatal treatment and for an insurance co. not to cover this is bad. And the thing that sucks is even if they did, it's a $1K deductible plan...and my DH's company thought it'd be cute to switch ins co's as of Dec. 1st to ANOTHER deductible plan. Sooo, seeing as we'll be starting fresh at zero $ again I can't wait to see what the rest of the bills and the c-section will cost us. Crying

His old company's insurance covered EVERYTHING for our 1st pg...all we paid for was the hospital admission fee of $500. Grrrr, not happy right now.

Hi725 · November 2008

Before you get any more tests or U/S done, I would call the insurance company and find out exactl what they cover, and if they require pre-authorization for anything. This includes your hospital stay for the birth. My insurance required pre-notification or they would not cover it.

heatouel85 · November 2008

oh wow don't blame you one bit that sucks!

do they have a flexible spending account or a medical reimbursement plan? those might be things to look into...my med. reimbursement plan is going to save our butts when this little bundle arrives!

Neudorfer · November 2008

aren't insurance companies lovely??? my father owned an insurance company for 32 years and even he thinks healthcare coverage is disgusting here. i suggest speaking to billing at your docs office and verify they are coding everything as medically necessary- if they aren't that will help significantly. i would also call your ins. co and speak with them regarding your plan- don't feel stupid, make sure you ask them to dumb it all down, you may qualify for a tax write off of some sort. good luck!!!

Dawn Bodtke · November 2008

Our insurance doesn't cover an ultrasound at all! Which makes NO sense to me, ultrasounds are not just for finding out if it is a boy or girl. So- I am traveling 2 hours away for a 3D ultrasound that will only cost $50!

Lisa0922 · November 2008

Wow- almost $1000 for the big u/s? That is crazy. Mine was almost $300- not what I had to pay, but that was the cost of it. Yeah, insurance does suck. All that money you pay for it and it doesn't seem like it does anything.

jenp02 · November 2008

OMG---UPDATE---my SDH just looked at the bill agian and just said..uhhh, honey? This isn't even for your big u/s..this was for the 10 minute u/s at 12 weeks to check if your cyst went away or not that they found at the 7week u/s. So now i'm REALLY worried about what the bill for the big u/s will be.......I can't believe this crap.

cprn · November 2008

Here is what you need to do:

Make a few calls to area OB/GYN offices and get prices on their "Big U/S". Then, you have EVERY RIGHT as a healthcare consumer to go back to the manager at your docs office and negotiate customary and reasonable prices.

All hospitals and docs offices are very familiar with this. I work for the healthcare system, and have had to instruct my family to do the same thing. You would be amazed what people get charged for (extra towels, pillows, and all sorts of B.S.), and you would be amazed once confronted, how willing they will be to negotiate.

Jason'swife · November 2008

That's just stupid. I think I'd do some calling around and find a better price. That seems extremely high.

Jason'swife · November 2008

I just re-read your post and realized you already had it done. Didn't the doctors office check your benefits before doing it? Seems like they should have been able to warn you.

moesluvr · November 2008

that seems really out of control, especially when it is necessary. I would call

JillBean78 · November 2008

Unfortunately health insurance is becoming so expensive for companies that they haven no choice but to go to crappy plans. At DH's last job we had awesome insurance, covered EVERYTHING, we were paying Cobra for me on it until the big u/s because his new job has a deductible. We were considering paying Cobra until the baby got here but we just got notification that the insurance is being changed to you guessed it the plan we are on with his new job, they sent us a letter about how the plan was too costly for them to keep and they were switching.

I always look at it this way, at least you have insurance, I know it sucks to get hit with those bills though. I'd call the insurance Monday and find out exactly what they do cover, maybe there is something wrong and the bill never made it to insurance. Doctors offices can screw up like that sometimes.

TennisWife815 · November 2008

When I had my first appointment the doctor went over what my insurance covered -- three ultrasounds were included and all prenatal visits are free. Because I'll more than likely need additional u/s they explained they would have the insurance company pre-approve them and if not they'd let us know what the cost would be as it got closer. I would definitely talk to your Ob/Gyn and the health care company.

mommy411 · November 2008

Call your doctor they can resubmit it

luckyluvr · November 2008

That is A LOT. I received the insurance statement for my big u/s just the other day. The total was only $350 (insurance covered it), but $900+ sounds way too expensive.

libbyann · November 2008

Wow, that sounds really expensive. Our big u/s was almost 2 hours long and I just got the statement for it in the mail. We didn't owe anything besides our copay, but the cost the insurance covered was $750. I would check with your doctor's office to see if something didn't get messed up...ultrasounds are expensive, but that sounds a little too expensive to me!

MarriedBestFriends · November 2008

Isn't it amazing what they charge? Our insurance. very thankfully, covers everything, but out of curiosity I looked to see what all of the genetic tests were billed at that we opted to do- $15k. I do not joke.

sweetpea18 · November 2008

You definately need to call and see exactly what you were charged for. I go to an expensive clinic for my area, and my first ultrasounds were only $350 each. When I had to go to a perinatologist, it was a little more than that ($400, I think) Almost $1000 for an ultrasound seems a little off.

beachbride19 · November 2008

Wow! Something sounds seriously wrong there. I agree with everyone else that you need to contact your insurance company and your drs office. I just received my insurance statement today for my big U/S and it was $150, of which was fully covered but $1K sounds ridiculous!

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Ugh, just rec'd bill for u/s..not happy

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