Overcharged for surgery?

[tlthoma3 0]

I am just curious, how much did everyone's surgery cost (total billed to insurance)? I looked at my insurance account online, at the total cost of my surgery was approx $61,000!

Granted, they did find a hernia and repaired it, but $61k! Isn't that what they charge for the Gastric? I was only in the hospital overnight! I am concerned with the price because I have an 80/20 plan, meaning, I pay for 20% of the negotiated rate.

I was going over my Explaination of benefits, and I noticed that they charged me $6000 for the recovery room (I was in it for 6 hours). BUT, I was only in there that long because they were overbooked that day and did not have my room ready. I called the billing department to dispute the claim, and they agreed to credit my account today.

Are those charges below normal (this is is only a small percentage of charges)?

OPERATING ROOM $ 6,502<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

RECOVERY ROOM $5,830<o:p></o:p>

ANESTHESIOLOGY $2,553<o:p></o:p>

RADIOLOGY $2473<o:p></o:p>

PATHOLOGY $325.42<o:p></o:p>

SUPPLIES $19,260<o:p></o:p>

DRUGS (PRESCRIPTION $2,152<o:p></o:p>

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Keep in mind that the total bill doesn't mean that is what insurance is going to pay. They have a contracted rate and more than likely you will pay 20% of reasonable and customary charges. It should be much much less.

[Boo 3]

Just think if you were a CASH patient! I'm so glad I went to Mexico!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Just think if you were a CASH patient! I'm so glad I went to Mexico!

Me too! Besides, I adore my surgeon, he is great.

[sgrennan 7]

My ins. claim was 94,000.00 they have a contracted rate of 15,000.00 for this sugery. They do this to wright it off on their taxes at the end of the year. Dont forget you do only pay the 20% of the contracted rate , and you should have an out of pocket max. I was only there for 9 hrs.

[Surby 1]

Wow, that's pretty incredible. I was cash pay, and I paid $13K. Much better!! No wonder our insurance is so crazy!!

[Daisalana 33]

When insurance is paying, doctors/hospitals/everyone in the world likes to jack up the price.

I was self-pay for exactly $15,081. I had to prepay everyone.. anesthesiest, doctor, hospital. They said there would be no out of pocket expenses other then this. I do have insurance, so they have it on file (it covered an x-ray and psychological evaluation), but my insurance won't cover anything for obesity treatment.

About a week ago I received a bill from the anesthesia place for $1,500! I called to see what they are trying to charge me for, the prepay amount to them was $500. The lady had me on hold a while, but finally came back and said to disregard the bill and sent me a new statement saying I owe $0. My guess is they saw my insurance card and thought they'd take it for a ride.

[Daisalana 33]

Oh and to compare, if you are self-pay for RNY Gastric Bypass with my doctor the total is $18,000.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Wow, that's pretty incredible. I was cash pay, and I paid $13K. Much better!! No wonder our insurance is so crazy!!

I paid $7800, stayed in the hospital for two nights and didn't go through my insurance.

[Iluvharleys 15]

I paid $20,000 as a cash patient.