Freaking out

[****505 girl 18]

I guess I'm not very well educated about health insurance. I've met my $1,000 deductible, my max out of pocket is $4,500. So I'm assuming ill need to come up with $3,500 before my surgery in 2.5 weeks!!! My dr. Office hasn't brought any of this up!!!

[becweaves 67]

You are correct if that is your personal out of pocket max. Do you have family or personal coverage?

[Beni 1,484]

The hospital doesn't process your bill right away. It will be a month until you actually receive it and then you can always call and arrange a payment plan. The hospital portion is usually the most flexible because they are a large organization they may allow you to pay in portions. After all they can't send it to collection until 3 notices go out. Do call them right away, you want to work with them. Ignoring it is the worst approach. On the day of surgery all they require is the co-pay. I was told $1,000 but when I got there I was asked for only $250.

You will receive separate bills for

1) hospital

2) anesthesia team

3) lab work performed in hospital

4) surgeon

5) surgeon assistant

These bills will all trickle in at different times since they are billed by different organizations. Your doctor's bill is the top priority since you will be going to that office for follow up for a long time.

You can also get a personal loan or use a credit card. Check the best rate though. A personal loan from your bank is usually less then a credit card. You can pay it off slowly and all will be well. Hope it helps

[Alumace 53]

My anesthesia team is charging me before surgery of 2k >_< surgeon charged 5.8k 4 weeks before as well. Had to pay that just to get a surgery date. But glad my hospital stay is completely covered unless they pick pricey socks or meds.

But they tend to be pretty good with payment options. Just now payed for a pathology bill from a hospital stay 2 months back.

[becweaves 67]

The way it is handled may be different depending on the hospital and Dr.

In Arkansas you are required to pay the surgeon before they schedule surgery and will not do surgery if the hospital portion due isn't paid 10 days prior to your procedure.

My bill was 348.00 for the Dr.

And

1585.00 for the hospital

All required to be paid in full before they will do anything.

[****505 girl 18]

Thankfully my husband took it well. I'm going to call my dr. Office on Monday and see about the cost. I reached my deductible last month and had my EGD done this month so I'm hoping that will help lower the out of pocket