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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2007, at 13:31:28
Okay I'm panicking as need vaginally hysterectomy and rectocele and cystocele repair only have medicare a and b and noone not even medicaire can even give an estimate of cost to me with operating room anesthesia and stay in hospital. Please help as no money and husband not working. Any idea out of pocket what this will cost me with meds etc. Phillipa in severe panic on phone all day with no answers.
Posted by Racer on December 4, 2007, at 17:05:01
In reply to Need Help Now Docs Offices or Medicaire Cant's hel, posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2007, at 13:31:28
I am sincerely sorry you're panicking about this, but I don't think anyone here can tell you much. The costs involved will vary according to the hospital's schedule of charges, the anesthesiologist's fee schedule, etc. It's terrible, but the best you're likely to get is a ballpark figure, and you'll have to get it through the hospital. Unfortunately, they're likely to be a bit hard to pin down, because they won't want to give you a firm price, since Things Happen that can affect costs -- that's the nature of the beast.
My best advice is to call the hospital, ask to speak to a patient advocate or financial services counselor, and explain your situation. This is a case where less is likely to be more: make a script, and stick to it. State clearly what you want: a ballpark figure of what your out of pocket expenses are likely to be. Resist the temptation to tell all the background -- whomever you speak to is going to be used to hearing the problems involved in health care costs, and is likely to tune those details out. You can get a much better outcome from this call if you don't give him/her anything to tune out in the first place. The more succinct you are, the better chance you have of getting what you want.
I would also suggest asking what sorts of financial arrangements can be made to help you pay -- but ask that AFTER you get the ballpark figure.
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2007, at 19:18:15
In reply to Re: Need Help Now Docs Offices or Medicaire Cant's, posted by Racer on December 4, 2007, at 17:05:01
Thanks Racer on the phone both me and Greg good portion of the day. Well found out from the doc's office that does the billing and since they are located at least one of their offices in the hospital. Ball park figure believe it or not is around $14,000. But with medicaire they have to make adjustments down. Best worse case scenario is that it would cost me about $3,000. Not that bad. Oh and you can pay for a year but my savings from first marriage I can handle full payment. So I'm relieved. Thanks for responding and for others out there medicaire is lowering what they pay docs in 20008 but less cost to patient. I think our medicaire will be bankrupt in not that many year with the boomers and they will have problems too. Also believe it or not the radio said some huge companies where employess need knee replacement surgery are being asked to go to India to have it done. Cost here $55,000 there $17,000. Unbelieveable. Phillipa
Posted by Jamal Spelling on December 7, 2007, at 14:59:10
In reply to Re: Need Help Now Docs Offices or Medicaire Cant's » Racer, posted by Phillipa on December 4, 2007, at 19:18:15
The reason they can't give you a definitive quote is because how much they bill you depends on how much they can milk you for, which in turn depends on your insurance carrier and personal income. A lot of the figures are thumbsucked based on how much money they can get out of you.
Jamal
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