Comments on: An Idea to Control Medical Expenses http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses The life and thoughts of Ryan McElroy Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:26:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Ryan http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses/comment-page-1#comment-144131 Ryan Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:38:46 +0000 http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses#comment-144131 Also, in response to Ben, I can foresee some circumstances where it would be difficult to impossible to get all the necessary knowledge beforehand. But right now, I have no idea how much an ambulance ride and visit to the ER would cost me. I doubt anyone really does. Do you? Why not? Why is this information so hard to come by? Could it be because if the information were easy to come by, prices would be driven down? Also, in response to Ben, I can foresee some circumstances where it would be difficult to impossible to get all the necessary knowledge beforehand. But right now, I have no idea how much an ambulance ride and visit to the ER would cost me. I doubt anyone really does. Do you? Why not? Why is this information so hard to come by?

Could it be because if the information were easy to come by, prices would be driven down?

]]> By: Ryan http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses/comment-page-1#comment-144127 Ryan Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:05:39 +0000 http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses#comment-144127 So I've been noticing the same thing too -- but I think the difference is made up in what are called "adjustments." First, there is the normal cost that the hospital or doctor charges to insurance (there is an entirely separate rate for charging customers directly, I believe). Then, depending on which insurance you have and what kind of contract that insurance has with the health care provider, there are adjustments made to the bill. After that, the insurance pays some amount, and the rest is up to you. So I’ve been noticing the same thing too — but I think the difference is made up in what are called “adjustments.” First, there is the normal cost that the hospital or doctor charges to insurance (there is an entirely separate rate for charging customers directly, I believe). Then, depending on which insurance you have and what kind of contract that insurance has with the health care provider, there are adjustments made to the bill. After that, the insurance pays some amount, and the rest is up to you.

]]> By: dc http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses/comment-page-1#comment-144114 dc Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:41:29 +0000 http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses#comment-144114 it's a great suggestion - when I came down with MRSA in December, medical bills were the least of my worries as I hit the emergency room twice a day for almost a week straight. When I started feeling better, I began worrying about how much all the antibiotics and surgical procedures would cost - luckily I have a pretty decent plan and I escaped with just a $350 bill (insurance covered the other 1200ish). I was thinking, too, that it would've been nice to have some of the information up front. When looking at the bills and explanation provided by my insurance company, I noted that sometimes, the hospital would bill for (example) 48.13 and insurance would only cover 44.78, but the difference in the cost was never transferred to me which seemed rather confusing. Oh well, I'm a newb as well. it’s a great suggestion - when I came down with MRSA in December, medical bills were the least of my worries as I hit the emergency room twice a day for almost a week straight.

When I started feeling better, I began worrying about how much all the antibiotics and surgical procedures would cost - luckily I have a pretty decent plan and I escaped with just a $350 bill (insurance covered the other 1200ish). I was thinking, too, that it would’ve been nice to have some of the information up front.

When looking at the bills and explanation provided by my insurance company, I noted that sometimes, the hospital would bill for (example) 48.13 and insurance would only cover 44.78, but the difference in the cost was never transferred to me which seemed rather confusing.

Oh well, I’m a newb as well.

]]> By: Ben http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses/comment-page-1#comment-144097 Ben Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:42:06 +0000 http://arcanius.silverfir.net/blog/an-idea-to-control-medical-expenses#comment-144097 Very good observation. But what about emergency medical services? In a life-threatening event, one would be hard pressed to shop around. Other then that hopefully rare situation, I would definitely like to know the costs up front. Very good observation. But what about emergency medical services? In a life-threatening event, one would be hard pressed to shop around. Other then that hopefully rare situation, I would definitely like to know the costs up front.

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