When would you negotiate a medical cost?

[Deleted]

Is there a certain threshold?

I'm getting my first IV iron infusion tomorrow and they just called me to ask me to come in early so we can discuss monthly payment obligations. My insurance covers 80% (up to $7,000) after I pay a $250 deductible. I repeatedly asked for a range per infusion but she wouldn't give me a straight answer and kept telling me that's what we will go over tomorrow morning.

Internet searches reveal they can be anywhere from $200 through $2,000 per infusion. My hematologist expects me to need no fewer than 2 megadoses (megadose makes me think it'll be more expensive) plus regular follow up appointments to make sure my levels are improving.

I guess I'm looking for a threshold here where you negotiate (if there is one). We have enough money in savings to pay off a lump sum so would you ask for a better rate? Has anyone successfully knocked off $ by offering to pay in full at each appointment. Or am I making this up?

Either way it's not a big deal (unless I were to surpass the $7k max... eek!) but the nest has been very helpful in the past so I wanted to ask people who might have been there. Thanks in advance!

[ijack]

I would always negotiate

[hulley]

I also have a deductible plan. Before my recent surgery, the hospital called me to discuss payment options. I was offered a 20% discount if I paid in full the day of, 10% off for paying when I was billed. It is definitely worth asking, the worst they can say is no!

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2013 16:22:28 GMT -5 hulley said:

I also have a deductible plan. Before my recent surgery, the hospital called me to discuss payment options. I was offered a 20% discount if I paid in full the day of, 10% off for paying when I was billed. It is definitely worth asking, the worst they can say is no!

This would be great - thanks for sharing!

[Deleted]

glad to hear it!

I know people frequently negotiate huge ER bills, but I didn't know if I would look like an idiot going in tomorrow and asking for a lump sum discount on a planned treatment.

[audry80]

I would wait until you got your bill. Once when I was hospitalized they wanted me to pay my OOP max of $1500. I refused I paid $250. Once everything was filed through my insurance my OOP was only $500 so I was glad I didn't pay the $1500. Why will they only cover $7000? That seems odd. I have never had a policy that has a maximum benefit especially since it's medically needed.

I hope the IV transfusions work for you!

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2013 21:10:11 GMT -5 audry80 said:

I would wait until you got your bill. Once when I was hospitalized they wanted me to pay my OOP max of $1500. I refused I paid $250. Once everything was filed through my insurance my OOP was only $500 so I was glad I didn't pay the $1500. Why will they only cover $7000? That seems odd. I have never had a policy that has a maximum benefit especially since it's medically needed.

I hope the IV transfusions work for you!

I'm a grad student so I don't have many options.


Also, I was dx with the anemia seven months before I had health insurance, so this is considered a pre-existing condition. I'm happy they're covering any of it!

Thanks - I hope they work too!