What's the point of health insurance when... (teeth, biopsy, doctor)

[GypsySoul22]

You get slammed with numerous bills for lab fees and procedures ANYHOW?
I had some gyno work done in August because of 'womens' issues" of a vague nature.

I had insurance (US Health Care) via my husband's job. He paid a lot each pay period (not sure how much) and I paid for each office visit (co-pay).

Fortunately all my tests were clean & my biopsy good.

However, we moved in September and I have been billed three different times for various lab tests AND the other day I got a bill from the gyno (I finally called for my results and I guess they 'realized' I owed more..).

I keep gritting my teeth over this. It's hard enough to move and have to budget and keep expenses down while trying to 'settle in' without these freaking bills hanging over me.

I called the insurance company and the guy was helpful considering we no long have US Healthcare but still...grrrrrrrr.

[groove1]

I know...the tests are what gets you. I went to the ER recently and they did a slew of tests (to find nothing) but since it was all part of an ER visit, the tests are covered and all I have to pay is a copay. I'm not saying to use the ER for this purpose because it is for emergencies, but looking back now I'm glad I did (I was having trouble breathing and numbness in my right hand so it was warranted for me). They did all the tests in one night that I otherwise would have went to a bunch of different places for.

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

You get slammed with numerous bills for lab fees and procedures ANYHOW?
I had some gyno work done in August because of 'womens' issues" of a vague nature.

I had insurance (US Health Care) via my husband's job. He paid a lot each pay period (not sure how much) and I paid for each office visit (co-pay).

Fortunately all my tests were clean & my biopsy good.

However, we moved in September and I have been billed three different times for various lab tests AND the other day I got a bill from the gyno (I finally called for my results and I guess they 'realized' I owed more..).

I keep gritting my teeth over this. It's hard enough to move and have to budget and keep expenses down while trying to 'settle in' without these freaking bills hanging over me.

I called the insurance company and the guy was helpful considering we no long have US Healthcare but still...grrrrrrrr.

Make sure you look over all your doctor's invoices carefully. Provider fraud is rampant and doctor's often charge for services they don't even perform just to get insurance reimbursement. Another thing, set up a health savings account for these unexpected expenses so that you are prepared for them.

Greenie

[eddiek]

Welcome to the world of cheap insurance. The companies choose pollcies which are less expensive for them to subsidize. You, on the other hand are forced with higher copays, and les coverage, and more "out of pocket" expense.

Don't forget- insurance companies are not charitable organizations. They are huge profit making corporations, whose CEO's are continually in the Forbes "highest paid" each year.

[nebulous1]

Insurance companies don't want to pay.
So they deny you coverages.
Just like they are getting employers to screen for smokers, drugs, drinkers, obesity, so they offer a company a lower plan.
Everything is their business, because we let them do this to us.

[Pikantari]

Originally Posted by eddiek

Welcome to the world of cheap insurance. The companies choose pollcies which are less expensive for them to subsidize. You, on the other hand are forced with higher copays, and les coverage, and more "out of pocket" expense.

Don't forget- insurance companies are not charitable organizations. They are huge profit making corporations, whose CEO's are continually in the Forbes "highest paid" each year.

this is what our office had done to us just a couple of days ago, less benefits, same price, more for us to pay out for co pays and rx, and now to include deductibles...