3 ms·
My experience has been that if you don't have insurance, the hospital will cut a big chunk out of your bill immediately. Their "negotiated rates" are all just m
by cookiecaper 16y ago
My experience has been that if you don't have insurance, the hospital will cut a big chunk out of your bill immediately. Their "negotiated rates" are all just made up things they put on the insurance bill because insurers can pay a lot of money. The insurer calls and says "Hello, I would like a discount". And the guy says "Ah, yes, our standard rate is cash rate + $1000, but for you, I'll take off $500".
For instance, a podiatrist I know charges $350 to the insurance company (which shows this as the discounted, negotiated rate) but $150 cash to remove an ingrown toenail.
I'm sure there are exceptions.
- caseysoftware 16y agoJust had a pair of major surgeries in my immediate family. When we offered to pay cash, they immediately knocked 50-66% off all the costs. That included anaesthesiologist, room rental, and doctor's time. This "retail rate" mentioned in the article is crap.
- Kisil 16y agoI see this cash discounting frequently, and it makes sense, as it's easier (faster, more certain) for the doctor to take the cash than to deal with billing the insurance company.
- _delirium 16y agoA bigger problem I have is that it's hard to get this information ahead of time. Hospitals don't want to tell you, if you come in for this operation and are willing to pay cash, total cost will be $x (and it should be total cost, including rooms, drugs, anesthesiologist, surgeon, nurses, etc.). If you could get that quote, you could comparison-shop hospitals ahead of time.