Procedure Price Check site

Hwy - Came across this cool site. Was able to look-up proce for insertion of pacemaker. Figured I'd share.

https://www.healthcarebluebook.com/





1 Comments

Ya Gotta read the fine print

by donr - 2013-01-12 08:01:34

Read the last paragraph (I copied it from the cited web site) - it specifies that this is what they routinely ACCEPT & it's a guideline for negotiating w/ the providers. This includes Medicare payments, which are ridiculous at the very best - practically speaking, Medicare payments do not cover even the overheads that physicians must pay to turn on the lights in the AM.

Clark Howard, a consumer affairs guru in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, once reported how much he was able to negotiate prices for maternity care for his wife. This was many yrs ago, but he paid CASH - in advance, to the hosp & to the Dr, for a routine pregnancy & he was able to get away from the event at better than half the "Normal" cost.

What has happened is that we in the US have become so dependent on insurance/Medicare that we just walk away from cost issues. Face t someone has to make up the difference between the unrealistic reimbursements from Medicare & the low prices negotiated by big insurance companies & what it takes to operate a reralistic business.

We have negotiated w/a hospital for rabies exposure treatment for a son who had no insurance & the price dropped IMMEDIATELY to 50% of "List" price. Ditto for a quick & dirty negotiation w/ our primary care physician for a visit that would NOT be covered by Medicare.

How bad is the reimbursement situation? Our ER Doc Daughter told us last night that her hosp LOST $12 MILLION last year because they treated uninsured people who stiffed the hosp on paying their ER bills. Even a Non-profit organization cannot operate at a continual loss.


"This is Healthcare Blue Book's recommended price for health care services. The Blue Book price is based on the typical fee that providers in your area accept as payment from insurance companies. This is the price you should have to pay, even if your provider charges more. You can use this price to negotiate with your provider or shop for an in-network provider that charges a fair price."

Don

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