How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
Sep 23rd 2013, 4:28 pm
#1
Concierge
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,391
How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
http://money.msn.com/personal-financ...th-your-doctor
This article is so on the mark. I remember when my daughter had her first child without hospitalization and had to pay both the doctor and hospital bill themselves. She and her husband spoke with both of them upfront and negotiated the price to what they could pay in cash which amounted to less than 1/2 of what was the proposed charges and it was accepted by both the doctor's billing department and the hospital.
This article is so on the mark. I remember when my daughter had her first child without hospitalization and had to pay both the doctor and hospital bill themselves. She and her husband spoke with both of them upfront and negotiated the price to what they could pay in cash which amounted to less than 1/2 of what was the proposed charges and it was accepted by both the doctor's billing department and the hospital.
Sep 23rd 2013, 6:21 pm
#2
Wolf In Sheeps Clothing
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 947
Re: How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
Thanks for this - could be very useful after a weekend in ER with my son.
Sep 23rd 2013, 6:32 pm
#3
Mouthy Yank
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,229
Re: How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
Very timely and useful; my husband just lost a filling and even though he is on my insurance plan, we don't want to be ripped off. Fortunately I get my work done through the dental school here (they are excellent) and they don't accept insurance at all, so our yearly payment cap is intact.
Sep 23rd 2013, 7:08 pm
#4
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
http://money.msn.com/personal-financ...th-your-doctor
This article is so on the mark. I remember when my daughter had her first child without hospitalization and had to pay both the doctor and hospital bill themselves. She and her husband spoke with both of them upfront and negotiated the price to what they could pay in cash which amounted to less than 1/2 of what was the proposed charges and it was accepted by both the doctor's billing department and the hospital.
This article is so on the mark. I remember when my daughter had her first child without hospitalization and had to pay both the doctor and hospital bill themselves. She and her husband spoke with both of them upfront and negotiated the price to what they could pay in cash which amounted to less than 1/2 of what was the proposed charges and it was accepted by both the doctor's billing department and the hospital.
It's hard to predict how much can be negotiated. I had one circumstance in which I could cut the price by 90% by paying cash upfront. In others, they won't budge and you can take it or leave it.
Sep 23rd 2013, 7:23 pm
#5
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
Not so easy to do if you arrive in the back of an ambulance.
Sep 23rd 2013, 7:46 pm
#6
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: East Anglia->New England
Posts: 3,624
Re: How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
That MSN article has one interesting link included, the "Healthcare Blue Book" of fair suggested prices for all kinds of medical and dental procedures. Fascinating reading! 
http://www.healthcarebluebook.com/
It even includes a template for a contract to have both parties (medical billing dept. and the patient) sign when they agree on the final price. And their Blue Book suggested price is printed on the form to provide a bit of 'fair pricing' guidance.
http://www.healthcarebluebook.com/
It even includes a template for a contract to have both parties (medical billing dept. and the patient) sign when they agree on the final price. And their Blue Book suggested price is printed on the form to provide a bit of 'fair pricing' guidance.
Sep 24th 2013, 12:12 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 107
Re: How to Bargain with your Doctor On the Bill
Sometimes you can barter for their services. My friend who has no medical insurance was able to paint a portrait of the doctor in exchange! 
