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New Member
Member Since Feb 2012
Posts: 3
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Feb 21, 2012 at 10:04 PM
#1
I was told by someone who works for a Insurance Company that you can negotiate with a Hospital or Physician for treatment. They said to have the Hospital or Doctor code the procedure or procedures then to look up what that treatment costs when the Hospital or Physician charges Medicare. You can then negotiate with the Hospital or Doctor to pay whatever they bill Medicare for or for an amount close to it. A procedure that might cost you $14,000 may only be $4,000 when billed to Medicare for example. The problem is I have looked for these coded Medicare payment costs and can't find them anywhere. I was told the coded Medicare payment amounts are public record so they should be available somewhere but I still can't find them. Does anybody know where these coded Medicare costs are online or otherwise?
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Legendary
Member Since Aug 2007
Location: West of Tampa Bay, East of the Gulf of Mexico
Posts: 14,352
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Feb 22, 2012 at 08:42 PM
#2
There is only a way to check the Medicare allowance for Physician's services. It is a program called the Medicare Physician's Fee Schedule and can be downloaded.
Here is a link to the CMS.gov website. CMS is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. https://www.cms.gov/apps/physician-fee-schedule/ Unfortunately, there is not a way to check facility fees, because they are based on diagnosis and location and other criteria. However, you can negotiate with the hospital for deductibles. I once had a $500 deductible due on a $65,000 hospital bill. I saved for it before the procedure I had done, and when the bill arrived, I called and asked if they would take 50%. Without batting an eye, they accepted my offer and I saved $250. I hope this helps! Last edited by ECHOES; Feb 22, 2012 at 08:42 PM.. Reason: Forgot to add the link. |
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New Member
Member Since Feb 2012
Posts: 3
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Feb 28, 2012 at 11:01 PM
#3
Thank you Echoes!
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Grand Member
Member Since Oct 2011
Location: Oregon
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Mar 09, 2012 at 02:51 PM
#4
Many physicians and hospitals will negotiate fees for people who cannot pay and do not have insurance but not all. The who pricing system is somewhat scandalous since they often set the prices very high, knowing they will get negotiated downward by insurance companies. Some places will give you a discount if you pay up front as well.
It is ironic that they charge the highest rates to people without insurance and who are often the least able to pay. It seems the who system needs reform. I would check the medicare pricing schedule and see if you can get them to accept that. Some doctors and non profits have sliding scales for people of low income. The for profit hospitals and clinics are often less inclined |
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