Rant - ugly surprise medical bill :(

megbmeg · July 2014

Ugh!! Just got my bill for the NT scan and it was $900!!??! WTH? My insurance covered $700, the office discounted $600, but that still leaves me with SO much to pay.

I had no idea it would cost so much (ETA: in fact, I thought it was subsidized in CA, where I live). I keep thinking, if I'd known, I might have just opted out. Or chosen to spend the $ on the more reliable DNA blood test (harmony, etc). Or put the money toward hiring a doula, which looks out of the picture now.

So frustrating!!!!

(Of course, still very thankful for healthy LO on the way, but holy crap that was an expensive peek at him/her)

weezy29 · July 2014

Look on the bright side....more towards your deductible so less you have to pay later?! At least that's how I try to see it when I get the bills. My Out Of Pocket is $2750 and after that it's all covered.

kboyet · July 2014

Wow! I got Panorama done and only had to pay $145 OOP. But your right, the bright side is a healthy LO!

Cheekers2010 · July 2014

Yikes! That's ridic. It feels like that was something your OB's office should have warned you about.

megbmeg · July 2014

Cheekers2010 said:
Yikes! That's ridic. It feels like that was something your OB's office should have warned you about.

That's what I was thinking. I'm definitely bringing it up at my next appt.

agsgrrl · July 2014

Come to think of it I was supposed to have a sit down at my clinic with a financial specialist to go over my coverage last month and it never happened.... Thank goodness I've only gotten a $35 one. There should be some kind of warning if you're gunna get a doozy like that one...

JunkieBrewster · July 2014

if you didn't pay it now, you would have at birth. It sucks that you weren't warrned, but you won't owe so much at birth!

AnonnAni · July 2014

I totally can relate I work at the hospital where I am being seen and is supposed to be covered the most with my insurance an I have bills from every ultrasound (had 7 so far an have 6 to 10 more)... I do agree though its more toward your deductible and yhats one positive in the sucky situation.

goatlady12 · July 2014

Sucky, surprise medical bills are no fun! I didn't get one because I would have had to pay it all as deductable. I called my insurance ahead of time to see what they would cover.

Side note: As someone that works in medical billing, I have to say, please don't bring this up to your doctor. It is your responsibility to know your own coverage. I'm not saying that to be mean, it's just something that really drives me crazy in my job. I really hate being screamed at over it. It's not my job to know anyone's personal policy.

angeladowns1 · July 2014

Ugh, yuck! We were told AFTER we had our scan to expect a bill of about that size. We were terrified. However, it came and was $88. Go figure! Hopefully you'll have less than expected charges next time!

megbmeg · July 2014

goatlady12 said:
Sucky, surprise medical bills are no fun! I didn't get one because I would have had to pay it all as deductable. I called my insurance ahead of time to see what they would cover.
Side note: As someone that works in medical billing, I have to say, please don't bring this up to your doctor. It is your responsibility to know your own coverage. I'm not saying that to be mean, it's just something that really drives me crazy in my job. I really hate being screamed at over it. It's not my job to know anyone's personal policy.

@goatlady12‌ I don't think it is unreasonable for a dr's office to be prepared to answer a question like this when they refer someone out for a lab test. A simple "we don't know the exact costs b/c they vary based on the patient's insurance. We recommend calling your insurance beforehand to find out" would be fine. More importantly, cost (and a head's up to check with the ins) is definitely the kind of thing a provider should mention when reviewing the pros and cons of an optional scan with a patient.

ETA: I am going to mention it to my OB at my next visit. Not because I think she can do anything about it, but so she has a head's up when referring other patients that they might need to check their coverage first.

megbmeg · July 2014

agsgrrl said:
Come to think of it I was supposed to have a sit down at my clinic with a financial specialist to go over my coverage last month and it never happened.... Thank goodness I've only gotten a $35 one. There should be some kind of warning if you're gunna get a doozy like that one...

Haha - yes a warning label on the envelope: "sit down and pour yourself a drink if you can"

goatlady12 · July 2014

@megbmegas far as NT scans go I do agree that they should have given her a heads up that it may not be covered and that she should contact her insurance. I think a lot of policies have limited coverage for it if you are under 35 with no risk factors. I was just simply saying that when it comes to your insurance you should understand your own coverage.

lionyloo32 · July 2014

I honestly would call and double check on this charge. I remember someone posting a while back that their dr. said they may get a bill that high but to call the company and get it discounted further. Worth a shot in my opinion.

[Deleted User] · July 2014

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perfectlove09 · July 2014

megbmeg said:

goatlady12 said:
Sucky, surprise medical bills are no fun! I didn't get one because I would have had to pay it all as deductable. I called my insurance ahead of time to see what they would cover.
Side note: As someone that works in medical billing, I have to say, please don't bring this up to your doctor. It is your responsibility to know your own coverage. I'm not saying that to be mean, it's just something that really drives me crazy in my job. I really hate being screamed at over it. It's not my job to know anyone's personal policy.
@goatlady12‌ I don't think it is unreasonable for a dr's office to be prepared to answer a question like this when they refer someone out for a lab test. A simple "we don't know the exact costs b/c they vary based on the patient's insurance. We recommend calling your insurance beforehand to find out" would be fine. More importantly, cost (and a head's up to check with the ins) is definitely the kind of thing a provider should mention when reviewing the pros and cons of an optional scan with a patient.

ETA: I am going to mention it to my OB at my next visit. Not because I think she can do anything about it, but so she has a head's up when referring other patients that they might need to
check their coverage first.

I'm kInda in the mind set that it's the patients responsibility to check into this kind of thing. We all get a big fat packet of info when we sign up for insurance each year and they usually say to check with your insurance before having anything done. My dr office actually runs my insurance for prenatal care and breaks it down for me as far as what I'll have to pay for prenatal care, and delivery. So I know before my first appointment but if they didn't I would have looked myself. I have. $500 fee at the very end of it all. Which is freaking incredible for an HMO. But my dr office gives me the codes for any elective tests so that I can call my insurance and see what's covered.

The NT scan had like 11 codes I had to get checked. Luckily it was all covered.

I am sorry that you didn't know about the costs ahead of time. That is a blow to the wallet I know

I'd ask for all codes for future screenings you do just incase. EVEN your anatomy scan. Not all insurance plans will cover that.

LSauer21 · July 2014

Oh no! I asked my dr before I even made the appt if it was covered and they told me yes. All I have to pay for this entire time is my first $10 co-pay and once they confirm I'm pregnant I don't pay another dime. I would def question it!

angeladowns1 · July 2014

Ugh, yuck! We were told AFTER we had our scan to expect a bill of about that size. We were terrified. However, it came and was $88. Go figure! Hopefully you'll have less than expected charges next time!

rshamos · July 2014

Yuck! I don't have any maternity coverage so everything is OOP. My OB does a package special and since I paid in full up front I get a discount. But everything extra (genetic tests, etc) are a la carte priced. Ouch.

shelly771 · July 2014

If your insurance plan starts over 1/1 you'll just meet your deductible early. Always check with your insurance company before getting any procedure done. It's a pain but it's better to be informed.

BootsAndPants · July 2014

Our practice gives all of the codes for the screening tests up front and tells us to check. I would at least give the suggestion to your practice if they don't currently do this.

Sorry about the surprise bill- it's definitely tough to stomach unplanned expenses.

OhBaby+2013 · July 2014

Another reason I love being Canadian.....universal healthcare! I couldn't imagine having to pay like you ladies. I realize I pay too, but via taxes but I can see a doctor and get pretty much any test or procedure I want and not get any kid of bill after. I commend you all for the planning you have to do to be able to afford medical care.

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