Question:
Do most hospitals require 100% of ins. copay upfront?
My insurance has a $500 deductible which is now met. After the deductible, I am responsible for 20% of costs for surgery up to the breakpoint. I was told at the doctor's office that since it is an "elective" surgery I would have to pay everythigng upfront. Is it the same at all hospitals or can they work with you? I have over 50% to pay now......Any suggestions are appreciated. — lasias (posted on July 20, 2006)
July 20, 2006
I am sure that some people don't end up paying what they owe ... A few
people end up ruining it for everyone else. Of course, this is not always
intentional, as sometimes financial problems are unforseen. Hospitals lose
money as they HAVE to treat anyone who comes in the ER ... whether they
have insurance or $$$ or not.
Hope you can come up with the money. Good luck!
Annette
— peacefuldaizy
July 20, 2006
I think my hospital allows people to make payment plans and I'm pretty sure
that's without interest. I'd call your hospital and talk to the billing
dept. Hopefully they will work with you so you don't have to come up with
the entire cost up front. Good luck!!!
— platypus
July 20, 2006
I was told by my doctors office that I had to pay my deductable $300 as
well as my max out of pocket $2000. up front, all to them. When I went to
the hospital they said that they wanted it all. I had the $2400 but it just
didn't set right with me. I called my insurance company... I was told that
niether the doc or the hospital should get it all. If I paid what they had
wanted me to I would have had to wait for a refund from both. BCBS told me
approximate what I would owe to the doc and the hospital, the rest would be
to whom ever filed first ie. lab work, x-rays. I paid the doc $400 and the
hospital $1000 and told them what my insurance had said. They both didn't
have anything to say after they knew what I was talking about, they just
said "Oh yes that is true" They were fine with what I was willing
to pay. I still over paid the hospital and am waiting for a refund, they
weren't the first to file with the insurance company. My doctors office has
yet to file so they will probably owe me a refund as well. So my sugestion
would be to call your insurance company. Good Luck! Jules
— Jules O.
July 20, 2006
Julie O is correct that is usually ends up as you waiting for a refund from
the hospital or Dr.- BUT understand that has nothing to do with your
insurance company making you pay up front. I work for one. And it is up to
the indv. hospital or Dr. if they get it up front or bill later. The
insurance company can only process claims as they are rcvd, 1st come 1
processed. and there is no way to take in account to what you may or may
not have already paid. Just keep very good records of what you paid and to
whom, match them up to your eob's and if they dont match call your
insurance company to verify the providor. Good Luck with your surgery
— jackie B.
July 20, 2006
My co-pay was $50.00 for the first five days. I was going to pay it all up
front the day of the surgery. But I'm glad I only paid for the first day of
$50.00 as things unexpected came up and so It was over a month before I
paid off the balance. The hospital staff did such a wonderful job of caring
for me I really felt like coming up with the rest of the money.
Mike
— Michael Eak
July 21, 2006
My surgery was at Good Sam in Phoenix AZ 2003 & it did require the full
20%, $3000, before my surgery.
The good new was that after my surgery & the insurance paid I did get a
$900 refund. Because the hospital was a preferred provider it agreed to
accept a certian amount as payment which was much less than the actual
bill, so after all was paid I called the hospital & told them I felt I
should get some money back.They checked it out & agreed with me. So
please keep an eye on you bill & what the insurance pays.
— Cindy W.
July 21, 2006
We did not have to pay our hospital upront.
— Novashannon
July 24, 2006
Alot of hospitals have been "stiffed" out of payments due from
the patients in non emergency situations. SO alot are asking the copay/out
of pocket up front. I had elective surgery in Dec.05 and had to pay $250
the day of surgery. If I didn't the hospital would have cancelled my
surgery. It is perfectly legal for them to ask for the money. Many people
who can afford to don't pay their bills and it costs all of us more for
health care. Hospitals have become much stricter about letting people make
payments over time, some hospitals I've heard about will put leins on
peoples house and sue them for unpaid bills.
Amy
— goldroses
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