Insurance costs

[wolfmoon1988]

The insurance my employer provides costs $500 a month. They only cover 30% so I'm responsible for the other 70%. I've put off two MRI's because of out of pocket costs. It would be around $800 out of pocket. Does anyone else have this issue? Or recommend a health insurance provider that won't bankrupt me?

[kdali]

Yep, mine are always out of pocket. It's weird because my medications have usually been covered. My insurance locates the cheapest scanner, but mine is now a T3, so it's around $900 for each scan.

MSAA has an application for assistance with the cost of MRI's. Scheduling them at the end of the year may help, if your out of pocket would be met by then. Some hospitals have applications for assistance as well, but they are also the ones who charge double for the scans, and some tend to be more generous toward the end of the year as tax write off time approaches.

[anaishunter]

Large hospitals or medical centers might have research programs that include some of the common MS tests like MRI and you would get them for free. It might be worth checking any research on MS that you could join (and granted not everybody might have next to their location).

[Helpmeup]

Sorry you're having to deal with high insurance costs. I can offer you one option that has worked for me in the past. Sometimes imaging centers have a separate price scale for customers who pay cash, and it's usually cheaper than paying with insurance. If you call the imaging center and ask what they would charge you without going through insurance, you might be surprised. I have gotten quotes hundreds less by offering to pay cash/credit card. Maybe it will work for you. Good luck!

[jorrell]

Through my former employer, I pay 100% ~$500 a month. They don't pay anything until I've spent $3750 out of pocket, then they cover 90%. Max out of pocket is $6800. I'm so happy to have this insurance thanks to the affordable care act (sarcasm).

[mrsmike9]

Check out MDSave. My husband was to have a test done and it was crazy expensive. We found a hospital who accepted MDSave, we paid MDSave and had the test for a tiny fraction of what the other cost was. We saved a TON.

[SandraKOE]

If you have Instagram or TikTok, Christyprn is a RN advocate. All nonprofit hospitals are required to provide a certain amount of financial assistance. I applied at UTSW, after approval they get whatever my insurance pays, & write off the rest. Approval lasts the whole year. Locally Christus St. Michael does the same thing. No copay’s or %. MRI’s the first of the year gets you close to the yearly insurance out of pocket.

[wolfmoon1988]

Thanks for the information! 😊