4 ms·

I had a serious complication of a medical problem a few years ago. After being bedridden and unable to lie flat for over 3 weeks, I developed a pilonidal cyst.

I had a serious complication of a medical problem a few years ago. After being bedridden and unable to lie flat for over 3 weeks, I developed a pilonidal cyst. This is a small abscess, usually from an ingrown hair, that expands into a cavity at the very base of your spine. I was in severe pain, had a visual lesion, and was almost unable to walk. I went to an urgent care clinic. The friendly staff told me they did not take my insurance, but could do it immediately for $380 in cash. As I was hoping to find someone who took my insurance, I declined. I went across the street to the emergency room. The person at check-in heard "pain" and "back" and seemed to immediately decide I was a drug addict. 30 minutes later I talked to some decent check-in staff who told me they would give me surgery for it. I ended up waiting in the ER for over 3 hours. When they finally did the surgery, it took about 10 minutes. Somehow, they messed up the billing. The charges were over $1,200 for the 10-minute surgery that the Urgent Care offered to do for $380. After moving out of state, I called multiple times to get them to properly charge my insurance. They failed to do so, and sent the entire bill to collections 90 days later.

takeda 7y ago
If it is what I think it is, it I'd not a surgery but a simple procedure to drain it. It took about 10 minutes and they were able to do it in urgent care for me so it cost me just the copay for the visit - $35. I wrote in another comment that people don't know that they can use urgent care most of the time. I forgot about the issue you had, which is insurance. That's also a huge problem that you can only use certain facilities. I remember being stressed about it when a family member was in pain. The thing is that once I found one that works with my insurance and is 24/7 I already know where to go so I forgot about that hassle.

takeda 7y ago

If it is what I think it is, it I'd not a surgery but a simple procedure to drain it. It took about 10 minutes and they were able to do it in urgent care for me so it cost me just the copay for the visit - $35. I wrote in another comment that people don't know that they can use urgent care most of the time. I forgot about the issue you had, which is insurance. That's also a huge problem that you can only use certain facilities. I remember being stressed about it when a family member was in pain. The thing is that once I found one that works with my insurance and is 24/7 I already know where to go so I forgot about that hassle.