i am all shaking...

[morenews]

I just got a little hysterical...now trying to calm down.

i had a doctor appt. and because i have some type of auto-immune disease i had a big blood test. I had it before. But what i saw on the bill was unexpected. After some insurance discounts my portion was more than $700. I would never had it done if i knew. When i looked more i saw on insurance explanation that they evaluate it as out of network. but it is wrong. it was visit to a hospital where doctor is and laboratory is there as well, hospital is in network. I called my insurance and i was almost crying on the phone...the person there said that they will investigate and get in touch with provider, but it is too late today, so they will do it tomorrow and call me back. I hope it would work out...I have another appt. in different place because my leg hurts for a few months already, it is either pinched nerve or something.

but if this is what i have to pay for blood test, i am not going to this leg doctor...i just can not.

when i am writing it i got a little bit calmer, but you should see me when i saw the number. i only feel not bad for last 2 days...and this shock now. i hope it would not throw me back to where i was.

thank you for letting me vent here.

[Hidden]

I totally empathize with you! Health costs are sooo high! It’s truly shocking and feels like highway robbery. I’ve been without health insurance for a year and a half and am really struggling with costs. Thankfully, I will have benefits in October. You’re not alone...it’s a crisis and affecting most people in one way or another. I’m glad you’re calming down now! Try not to stress...

[morenews in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for understanding. I am trying to cope because I don’t want to make myself more sick, have to be my own doctor. I still hope it is a mistake re out of network issue.

We need to be very careful and ask million question BEFORE using services.

[Hidden in reply to morenews]

I agree! I always tell a doctor to only prescribe the old, cheap stuff for me...nothing new or I will not be capable of buying it!

[b1b1b1]

I am assuming you are in the US. I am in the Northeast. There are some medical facilities in this area which have sliding fee scales. Perhaps you can find one of these. I have heard they are quite good.

[morenews in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you, yes I am in US.

Have to look into that.

[Agora1]

morenews, I'm glad you used this forum to vent. Insurance companies can cause more stress than what we are already stressing about. Breathe.... Whenever we get ourselves into a hysterical state, stop for a moment and ask yourself, "Is this useful" ? The answer will always be "no" because getting upset doesn't hurt anyone but ourselves. Breathe

Live in the moment tonight. tomorrow's a new day. xx

[morenews in reply to Agora1]

Thank you, I feel better now and hope it would work out.

[Agora1]

Wishing you well tomorrow xx

[Lyn842]

Just remember, payments can always be made. You don't need to pay the lump sum all at once. If you tell them you can afford only 15. a month that's what you do. We have hosp bills we pay 25. a month to. Just don't skip your small payments and they will leave you alone. If you get a phone call, just tell them what you can do. Even better is to call the billing office first before they send you to collection. Hopefully in your case it will get fixed so you're not out of network. Hate insurance!!

[morenews in reply to Lyn842]

Thank you so much for you great advice. Will keep in mind.