They wouldn't even take me without insurance.

And yes, this is an outpatient surgery center. Didn't realize it was cheaper. So that's good to know. Also, it looks like there are a bunch of fees on top of the quoted amount they gave me which is just for the doctor. I don't think anesthesia or facility fees and stuff like that are included yet.

CalvinBall wrote:They wouldn't even take me without insurance.

And yes, this is an outpatient surgery center. Didn't realize it was cheaper. So that's good to know. Also, it looks like there are a bunch of fees on top of the quoted amount they gave me which is just for the doctor. I don't think anesthesia or facility fees and stuff like that are included yet.

Save money and skimp on the anesthesia.

MrsVox wrote:

CalvinBall wrote:Surgery place made a massive stink about me having insurance before they can even schedule me. Turns out the cost is less than my dedcutible which is pretty low (1500). So I have to pay for the whole thing anyway. What fun turn of events.

Don't know if you're thinking of skipping the insurance, since it's COBRA, I'm guessing you're not. But the price is usually higher for "cash" (non-insurance) patients, because regardless of what the deductible is, you're paying the contracted rate instead of what the provider wants to charge. You usually see the difference in the "adjusted amount" on your explanation of benefits after the fact.

Outpatient surgery centers are cheaper than hospitals too.

the mandate screwed everything up for me years ago so i don't know and probably doubt this still applies. i had a high deductible indemnity plan coupled with a HSA but i would tell the doctor's office that i didn't have insurance and i was always able to negotiate a price that was on par and sometimes even lower than the in network insurance rate. i would then send in the receipts to my insurance to apply them to the deductible and use my HSA to pay for the visit/procedure. that "cash" price was meant for out of network, but the real cash price was a lot of times even cheaper than in network.

Stupid AC crapped out again.

CalvinBall wrote:They wouldn't even take me without insurance.

And yes, this is an outpatient surgery center. Didn't realize it was cheaper. So that's good to know. Also, it looks like there are a bunch of fees on top of the quoted amount they gave me which is just for the doctor. I don't think anesthesia or facility fees and stuff like that are included yet.

When I had minor surgery those charges were far higher than the surgery cost, so I would get a clear idea what those are ($1000 for the actual surgery, close to $2000: hospital fee, blood test, anesthesia) for the rest). as Mrs. Vox says, hopefully a surgery center will be cheaper than what i was hit with.

Slowhand wrote:Stupid AC crapped out again.

Yeah man ... People crap out here in AC daily.

CalvinBall wrote:They wouldn't even take me without insurance.

And yes, this is an outpatient surgery center. Didn't realize it was cheaper. So that's good to know. Also, it looks like there are a bunch of fees on top of the quoted amount they gave me which is just for the doctor. I don't think anesthesia or facility fees and stuff like that are included yet.

Yes, the fee your doctor office quoted is the physician cost. Anesthesia will be separate, as will the facility costs. You can and should contact each party to find out their cost, and also make sure the anesthesia service provider is in-network.

There shouldn't be "more" on top of what the doctor or facility charges, unless there are special circumstances requiring extra care, like, you're diabetic or asthmatic or have some other condition which makes the surgery more dangerous, and these things have to have a significant impact, it's usually things like, under 12 months, over 80, multiple systemic conditions.

Trying to not write a book here, but basically, the doctor charges $x for "surgery, R arm", and $x for "surgery, left arm", and is reimbursed $y for surgery, arm, times 2 (sometimes at a reduced cost for one of the surgeries, because they are happening on the same day). Included in that is the surgery prep, the supplies, the surgery itself, and follow-up visits in his office for X period, probably 90 days. Not included are things like x-rays, pre-admission testing, etc.

momadance wrote:

Slowhand wrote:Stupid AC crapped out again.

Yeah man ... People crap out here in AC daily.

Bucky'd

If Bucky hadn't bought bad lottery tickets, we could have funded the whole thing for you, Calvin.

You've been Bucky'd

Monkeyboy wrote:If Bucky hadn't bought bad lottery tickets, we could have funded the whole thing for you, Calvin.

You've been Bucky'd

You're going to want to take a shower.

I'm sure there have been more irritating song than that one by Phosphorescent, but they also seemed a lot easier to avoid.

Why does it keep popping up on alternative stations when it's this generations Pina Colada song (including that everyone will get the title wrong)?

what did you get busted for

My 11 AM meeting in West Philly was changed to a conference call. It's a work from home day miracle.

Last day before my 9 day vacation. It’s great but I have to burn 3 of those days finishing the move. Hope to do nothing Thursday-Sunday. Like 90 total steps nothingness

Exactly what I was thinking

PTOITWCFTPP wrote:Last day before my 9 day vacation. It’s great but I have to burn 3 of those days finishing the move. Hope to do nothing Thursday-Sunday. Like 90 total steps nothingness

I believe in you.

PTOITWCFTPP wrote:Hope to do nothing Thursday-Sunday. Like 90 total steps nothingness

I gasped

Hoping for that the days after Christmas after I bounce early from the in-laws'

Slowhand wrote:Stupid AC crapped out again.

SPEAKING OF air conditioners crapping out, apparently my upstairs neighbour has a major issue with their AC unit, so they’re doing work up there and also in my apartment so that my place doesn’t FLOOD. They’ve turned off my water and will have to remove the hot water heater I just came back from the gym so now I get to sit in my SWEAT all day until they turn the water back on.