OMG specialist prices

[reecey]

When my children had their school physicals i was told my eldest (8 year old)has a slight heart murmur, he said it wasnt that bad but he should have a echo type scan to make sure and referred me to a specialist, ive just phoned for an appointment and was told it will cost $2500 just for the scan, the my insurance has a $2500 waiver so i will have to pay it.:(

[Susie]

Hi Reecy

My goodness !

I know we should all read the small print but sometimes it is so small and worded in such a way that we cannot understand

Is the $2500 waiver a once a year thing on the whole family or per person?

I am with Blue Cross Bule sheild and have $500 deductible in any one year for myself

I then have to pay 20% of all bills but is capped to a max of an extra $2000 per annumn

[Emmalee25]

Hiya Reecey,
my son was born with a serious heart defect, as a bit of a knowledgeable old gal in this area, i would say that if they heard the murmer but werent worried enough at the time to scan him there and then , you will find that, after paying your $2500, they will say, he has a small leaky valve or a tiny hole (both sound horrendous, but you will see my son on the 4th who still has both after surgery and is as active as anything) and they dont need to take any action.....honestly, most people DO have a murmer or a slight leak at times, sometimes it even comes and goes.
Ill talk about it more when i see you if you want.
Em x

[punky]

As Sue said... Most policies normally have a yearly deductible and and an incident deductible. You may be responsible for $2500, but it may be per incident of $500 or so. That $2500 is normally offset against copay, which is slightly different, as you have a deducible and then you have to copay against the remaining balance (which is capped at some amount)

Every company is different, so its worth double checking to make absolutley sure you have your figures right.

The only other thing is, insurance companies do set up payment plans, and banks are allegedly lienient about it, so it may cost you $2500, but you could well spread it over 5 years.

[reecey]

thanks for replys
I got a UK based insurance for 1st year and its $2500 per family per year waiver, i knew about this and have allways had it to one side, the thing that shocked me was the cost of a scan, i was only expecting to pay approx $500 when she advised of price i was stuttering LOL, thank Emma for advice on your son, I spoke to a few people today whos children have had or got a murmur as long as they are all okay thats the main thing.

[charliesmum]

One thing is that you will get rid of the deductible in one go, so any other treatment won't have to be paid for.

Zoe

[punky]

the thing that shocked me was the cost of a scan,

Well, I wasn't going to say anything in case there were additional things in the background, but yeah. It does seem high for an "echo type scan". I presume you mean an echocardiogram (fancy ultrasound) which is a normal diagnostic tool for heart murmurs. Looking online it seems the prevailing rate is a few hundred dollars. Again though, there might be extra tests included in that $2500 price that you or I don't know about.

That said, i'm not a doctor, but you really should be discussing this with them really.

Edit: Also, I believe teaching hospitals offer cut price procedures. (still overseen by a qualified physician)

[reecey]

Hi
yes that what i was thinking, it is only a scan with a doctors opinion at the end of it, ive look around on the internet and also assumend a few hundred dollars,do you have the names of the training hospitals i may as well try them ( i can ask and see) I may be being a bit cynical but sometimes I wonder if prices are inflated to pay for "referall fees"!!

[punky]

do you have the names of the training hospitals i may as well try them ( i can ask and see)

I don't know of any I am afraid.

[Sharon]

thanks for replys
I got a UK based insurance for 1st year and its $2500 per family per year waiver, i knew about this and have allways had it to one side, the thing that shocked me was the cost of a scan, i was only expecting to pay approx $500 when she advised of price i was stuttering LOL, thank Emma for advice on your son, I spoke to a few people today whos children have had or got a murmur as long as they are all okay thats the main thing.


Hi

I know this will seem strange but

Get out your yellow pages/book

Ring all the clinic and get quote. I think you will find the prices can vary quite a bit

[mark]

Hi


I have heard if you go to an accident and emergency room, they have to treat you.

is this true?

[reecey]

thanks Sharon
im going to do that because you never know

Hi Mark

weve been in 2 different ERS with friends and they both got treated 1st before they asked for payment details, 1 was a broken arm (fell off a horse) the other was a trapped nerve, they both had ins but was only asked for it when treated

julie

[punky]

Hi


I have heard if you go to an accident and emergency room, they have to treat you.

is this true?

Yes. Its Federal law that if you go into any hospital they have to give you treatment. If you go into a private hospital, they have to give you enough treatment to stablise your condition, although afterwards they can ship you off to a free one. I don't know about payment if you don't have insurance, they'd probably pay for it out of medicaid if you are poor.

[myers12]

Hi emalee, have sent you a pm, wanted to ask you more about your sons heart probs, I too have a son with heart defects, (transposition of the arteries and more..) sorry everyone dont want to bore you with medical stuff. Hope you can give me advice on living with a "heart child in Florida.."
Thanks Myers12.

ps. my first proper post on this site..;)