Quote:
Originally Posted by moondog
...Just want people to know that many (most?) doc offices and hospitals will negotiate with you if there is a big bill that you're responsible for.
I can vouch for that. Here's what happened to me...
Before Obamacare, there was something called Catastrophe Insurance (I think it's still available but only in certain circumstances). Back in the day, you didn't need full health insurance.
I was young, healthy, never went to doctors. So the catastrophe insurance covered me in case I get cancer, hit by a bus, etc.
So, one day I did go to doctor. He recommends I take a handful of tests, etc. Bill comes out to something like $1400.
I was bummed, but figured with all the money I saved over the years from not paying insurance premiums, it's still +EV over the long haul.
About 45 minutes later I'm at a bar and get a call from the doctor's office. Tell me when they charged me they didn't realize I didn't have health insurance. So if I want, I can come back and they can void the original bill and charge me only $400.
In this case, I didn't even need to negotiate. Guilt seemed to get the best of them. Even though I was pumped at the savings... just made me pissed off at the entire medical system seeing how arbitrary pricing is.
So the moral of the story...
Always try to negotiate with doctors and hospitals.