dzalphakilo
Banned
Can anyone explain to an idiot how the medical insurance game is played?
I have pretty good insurance. Any emergency room visit is covered, good dental, prescription drug and the all, however, I've always scratched my head on what the doctor bills, and what is paid.
Going for an MRI tonight for my back and the girl told me my insurance would cover everything but $120. I told her I usually wait for the insurance "bill" to come in the mail, then pay it. She says no problem. I asked her how much this MRI would normally cost. She told me $1200
Now, I really think this Chiropractor I've been going to is a quack. Long story, but I finally "demanded" that I want an MRI done (still having issues with the back, even though this doctor said things are "progressing"). Look at her bill in the mail, heck, they charge $120 a visit, and I pay $3.50. The straw that broke the camels back is that last week she gave me, for lack of better terms, a "shocker" for my lower back to stimulate my mucles. Next visit I go to bring it back (because it dosen't seem to help), and she tells me not to worry, that they charged my insurance company. Well, I ask her what if they don't cover it, what happens. She said that they will just ask for it back. I then ask her how much they charge for it, and she tells me $300!!! I called my insurance company today to tell them not to cover it, that I don't want it.
Bottom line, because I have insurance, I feel like a cash cow for this doctor.
Just seems like I'm in the wrong racket.
How does the medical profession determine what to charge for insurance?
Do both parties know beforehand what is going to be paid?
Bigger the insurance company, better the "rates"?
Just curious.
I have pretty good insurance. Any emergency room visit is covered, good dental, prescription drug and the all, however, I've always scratched my head on what the doctor bills, and what is paid.
Going for an MRI tonight for my back and the girl told me my insurance would cover everything but $120. I told her I usually wait for the insurance "bill" to come in the mail, then pay it. She says no problem. I asked her how much this MRI would normally cost. She told me $1200
Now, I really think this Chiropractor I've been going to is a quack. Long story, but I finally "demanded" that I want an MRI done (still having issues with the back, even though this doctor said things are "progressing"). Look at her bill in the mail, heck, they charge $120 a visit, and I pay $3.50. The straw that broke the camels back is that last week she gave me, for lack of better terms, a "shocker" for my lower back to stimulate my mucles. Next visit I go to bring it back (because it dosen't seem to help), and she tells me not to worry, that they charged my insurance company. Well, I ask her what if they don't cover it, what happens. She said that they will just ask for it back. I then ask her how much they charge for it, and she tells me $300!!! I called my insurance company today to tell them not to cover it, that I don't want it.
Bottom line, because I have insurance, I feel like a cash cow for this doctor.
Just seems like I'm in the wrong racket.
How does the medical profession determine what to charge for insurance?
Do both parties know beforehand what is going to be paid?
Bigger the insurance company, better the "rates"?
Just curious.