Is this true?

2moretrees · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 09:35 AM

I heard on CNN this morning that many doctors and hospitals charge MORE to patients WITHOUT medical insurance than they do with people that do have medical insurance.

Does anyone know where you can go to see if the amount you're being charged is correct? How can you find out this information?

PrincessPerky · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 09:49 AM

It's generaly 'cause the insurance companies have deals and contracts for lower rates.,

akaivyleaf · #3 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 10:38 AM

I think they have different fee structures for different people by nature of insurance rates etc. I don't know if a hospital will be willing to give you all of their fee structures, probably the one you fall under, and then they will be very tight about it.

MrsChambers · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2005, 08:28 AM

I dunno.. but I SWEAR that my hospital (ER) charges more for stupid stuff then for "the real deal".
Example: my husband sprung his ancle in the yard, didn't go to the ER till the next morning (he thought he was find then in the morning the pain alarmed him) so we go to the ER they take x-rays, wrap it and what-not. $200 dollars later!

Then I stab myself with the friggin screwdriver, (OUCH!!) don't go to the ER untill again, the next morning when the pain is just killing me. they give me pain pills, look at it, blah, blah, blah... just got the bill for that... $200 bucks

BUT WAIT.... I eat something funky here at work... obviously disagreed with me, something weird happining to by body, I can't breath, I swelling up like the girl on Willy Wonka, I have my friend drive me to the hospital STAT, they rush me in, I'm having an alergic reaction to something!! They tell me I get there just in time, WOO, thank goodness I'm okay... get the bill for that little incident. $50 bucks!!!

GO FIGURE