UPMC -- Hospital Based Facilities Charges

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by Geeo

Any wonder why medical costs are out of control? I wish I had a business where I could charge people after the dact anything I wanted without them asking how much it was going to cost upfront.

Plus, what it costs depends on what your insurance company negotiated so it's kind of like buying an airplane ticket. You and the person in the seat (bed) next to you may be paying two different prices for the same trip (treatment).

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by Geeo

I guess it would be rude, and the hospitals would be offended, to ask in advance how much this is all going to cost, like we do with just about everything else we buy.

It's not even just that it's taboo to ask, it's that the hospitals and doctors can't even *tell* you how much it will cost because they don't have a flipping clue due to the complex payment structure we have in the US.

[LIRefugee]

Originally Posted by trotter_rej

If it's any comfort, it's not just UPMC (although it may be around here). When I lived in Houston I went to an ER that was in-network for my insurance. However, the doctors staffing the ER were "independent contractors" and mine wasn't in-network, so I had to pay way more than my normal co-payment for his services, in addition to the ER co-payment. They of course didn't give you any choice as to who you would see. A little different scenario, but still horsesh*t.

Originally Posted by Geeo

Any wonder why medical costs are out of control? I wish I had a business where I could charge people after the dact anything I wanted without them asking how much it was going to cost upfront.

This is part of the problem. Do you really want to have a medical emergency and then be given a list of pricing options while awaiting treatment in the ER?

"I might be experiencing cardiac arrest, but your prices seem to be on the high side. Let me get a quote from West Penn before I decide to engage in your emergency medical services."

[captainmidnight]

Originally Posted by Bong477

A decent read: Hospital 'facility fees' boosting medical bills, and not just for hospital care | Center for Public Integrity

Pretty much what I thought where you are probably paying for all UPMC costs.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by bmantz65

Maybe those offices used to be independent and UPMC took it over and that facility charge is their way of making you pay for it? Office charge maybe pays for the building, admin staff, supplies, etc? We may never know.

Originally Posted by bmantz65

Pretty much what I thought where you are probably paying for all UPMC costs.

Right. And that's nuts. A doctor's office visit shouldn't cost almost $800. Those overhead costs were previously paid for via the office visit fee. This is double charging. With higher deductibles, patients should start asking questions and shopping around. The only way to beat this scheme is to try to find independent doctors. If more people do that, maybe doctors will start leaving the monopolies.