Insurance only covers $7,500?

May 23, 2008

I know I should be grateful this insurance covers it AT ALL since my last insurance didn't, but come on - there's not even a doctor in the state, let alone many other places, that charge that. So I am going to have to pick up thousands of dollars in the difference, is that true?

I'm just a college student who works part time, I simply cannot afford it if they aren't going to help me out. My money goes to rent and tuition and books.

What is your advice, should I be looking for less expensive doctors now?

Mom2_4 · May 23, 2008

I would check with some of the surgeons that are in your area. I know the doctors bill the insurance much more than they actually get paid. I can't remember the exact amounts, but there was a huge difference between what they charged for and what they actually got from the insurance. I would say the best thing would be to make an appointment with a surgeon you are considering and let them run your insurance and see what they tell you that you will owe and go from there. Good luck!

Marimaru · May 23, 2008

Definitely double check. It might be a "negotiated rate", which means that no matter what the doctor charges, if you have that insurance, they can't charge more than that amount. With my insurance, it's 80/20, so whatever the negotiated rate is, insurance pays 80% of that amount, and I pay 20%.