This sucks...

[MrMatt]

some of you may remember This thread, about having a lump on my left nut. Turned out to be on the epidymis, and was probably not cancerous, although it was a complex cyst which can occasionally be a neoplasm. Well shortly after the scan I got a 700 dollar bill in the mail. Apparently my insurance doesn't cover ultrasounds. That might not be a lot the swarm of millionaires we have on ATOT, but I absolutely couldn't afford it, I'm still trying to pay it off now. I tried EVERYTHING to find a way for my insurance to cover it, and they couldn't do anything.

So I get the form in the mail the other day for the followup, and they have to do another ultrasound to compare to the first one. This one wouldn't have been covered either, so unfortunately I have to cancel it.

I'm not looking for any sympathy, I'm just frustrated.

 

[gigahertz20]

Welcome to America's health care system

 

[blackdogdeek]

dude that does suck. is your insurance through your employer? can you change insurer?

 

[Jeff7]

Huh...well that's weird. Isn't ultrasound necessary to do specific kinds of internal scans?

 

[Juddog]

Welcome to America's health care system

^^ Sad state of things.

 

[lupi]

Welcome to America's health care system

Best thing being the new law gets him to pay more and he still wouldn't be covered.

 

[FoBoT]

health insurance is a scam
everyone should cancel it now and just wait for obamacare to kick in

 

[kranky]

Might be worth calling a couple of places who do ultrasounds and asking what they charge for someone with no insurance. Chances are it won't be $700 if you have arrangements made in advance. Nothing to lose by asking.

 

[preslove]

Best thing being the new law gets him to pay more and he still wouldn't be covered.

So... let's fucking get single payer already.

 

[AMDZen]

Massachusets is supposed to have healthcare at the state level, which is how it should be handled - not the way BO is doing it

Best thing being the new law gets him to pay more and he still wouldn't be covered.

exactly

 

[mattpegher]

I've never heard of an insurance that doesn't cover ultrasounds. Have you tried to have it pre-approved. You may require a form or letter from your doctor as to the medical necessity of the scan.

 

[MrMatt]

I've never heard of an insurance that doesn't cover ultrasounds. Have you tried to have it pre-approved. You may require a form or letter from your doctor as to the medical necessity of the scan.

yeah, it's just not covered, neither would blood tests either for some reason.

 

[Tristicus]

You need to get new insurance.

I just had $2k for Anesthesia...think the cost was $45.

 

[zinfamous]

yeah, it's just not covered, neither would blood tests either for some reason.

what kind of ridiculous anti-insurance do you have?

 

[Chunkee]

insurance companies dictate your healthcare. plain and simple.

 

[MrMatt]

Harvard Pilgrim. It's rated best in the country apparently. They have tiers where I work. If I wanted to pay out the ass (like 1/4 of my check) I could get the plan that covers that stuff. But then I couldn't pay rent & buy food.

 

[tyler811]

Might be worth calling a couple of places who do ultrasounds and asking what they charge for someone with no insurance. Chances are it won't be $700 if you have arrangements made in advance. Nothing to lose by asking.

This

 

[AndroidVageta]

I think a lot of medical bills are insane/"dumb".

Over at my friends house and were shooting his BB gun in the back yard...long story short, I get shot in the hand. BB is in my hand, cant take it out.

I go to the ER thinging it might cause never damage or something...waited 2 hours to see a doctor, doctor told me it was OK and they couldnt do anything cause removing might cause tissue/nerve damage...I leave. Took 3 minutes talking to the doctor, no prescriptions or anything.

A week later I get a bill for $450...FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS...for what??? Waiting for 2 hours? Having a doctor talk to me for a couple minutes and does nothing?

 

[Number1]

Best thing being the new law gets him to pay more and he still wouldn't be covered.

How is that possible?

 

[misle]

Talk to your doc and tell him your insurance isn't covering ultrasounds. There may be another procedure he can use that is covered. Also, a lot of times clinics will work with you if you are paying out of pocket (discounts and/or payment options).

 

[Kyanzes]

US of A.

Must be a very strange place.

I have never ever paid for any medicare in my life directly, though 1/5th of my salary is deducted every month. I guess you're still a winner. Here, fvckers who don't pay get cared for as well. Apparently, everyone has a constitutional right for a healthy life. At my expense.

I'm not sure which one is better.