Cash Cow

[Ian 3]

So I'm frustrated and starting to feel like a cash cow. I just got a bill for the initial eval with the surgeon to the tune of $700.... I met with him for barely 5 minutes. I've had more doctors appointments in the last 2 months, then I've had in my entire life. The surgeon ordered a sleep study, which I did a few weeks ago, and still nobody has spoken to me about the results. I haven't seen the bill for that yet, but I can imagine it's gonna be a douzy.. Now they are telling me I have to go in for a second night?? Does this sound normal? I mean while I most likely have some form of Apnea, I don't have any real noticeable symptoms. I also saw the cardiologist at the request of the surgeon. He had the gall to tell me I was young, and therefore had little to worry about. I am active, and the EKG, and Eval went fine, with him stating "you have a good healthy heart" .. So what does he do next? Order me to come back for an echo cardio gram?????? What in the initial Eval would cause me to have to come back? Have the rest of you had to go through similar things? I mean I had a list of things to get done, and it seems like for every step forward, I get knocked back 2 more with additional requirements!! It's starting to feel like these things are being ordered since all of these physicians work in a network with the same hospital, and so they order every test they can conjure up? I have insurance, and am still not quite sure why they are not picking up more of the bill.. I'm just venting here. Sorry

[Wheetsin 714]

Some surgeons apply consultation fees toward the cost of surgery, or will give you a credit for Protein supplements they sell in the office, or something like that. Do you know if yours does something similar?

Requirements like sleep studies are often done if it's a specific requirement of your insurance, or if there's a requirement for comorbidities. I beliebe a few surgeons use them as their own requirements, as well. Do you know where the requirement for them is coming from? (FWIW, a co-worker of mine had a sleep study done in Feb and he paid for it out of pocket (it was less than his deductible) - his cost was $2300). If not, find out. That will help you figure out what's going on with billing.

The apparent uninvolvement of your insurance company is a little off. Some of these questions may be a bit basic - please don't take it personally. I'm not assuming you don't know how your insurance works, but rather picking up on frequent points of confusion.

Are you sure you're getting a bill, and not a claim summary? So may people make this mistake that it's worth asking.

Do you have an ***, PPO, open ***...?

Of the following, which are part of your plan? (Probably more than one): deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, copay? (This might help understand the billing you're seeing)

[Wheetsin 714]

Hmm, for some reasom H-M-O is being filtered out. I know they're not the best, but come on!

BTW, feel free to email or private message me if you'd rather keep this type of information off the public board.

(I used to work for a huge insurance company, so I might be able to help)

[myrori 55]

It is a process of jumping through hoops. Yes the prices are out of this world, and I often wondered if they were milking me by whoring me out to their fellow specialists.

What it boiled down to is this. I wanted the weight gone bad enough I was willing to play the game. No the service is not great, no call back ect.... I am now using my PCP for follow up as at least they call me with my blood test results. Play the game,,, that is what is about. The pulmonoligist is the one who will review your sleep study.

Be proactive, not a woe is me victim in your health care. TAKE charge attitude will win you this battle both at the drs office and in your weight loss goals!