The Reading Room: A Guide Through The Medical Wilderness

Hatshepsut

This article if interesting. Having been a victim of the insurance industry's "denial of coverage game" when my husband was having chemotherapy, I'm acutely aware of the additional physical and emotional toll the insurance fight can take on a family.

As the writer points out, though, the principle of caveat emptor applies here. This kind of representation is, at this point, unregulated and it is pricey. Nevertheless, the article is illustrative of the fact that prices can be negotiated and that billing errors are very common.

NYTimes: A Guide Through The Medical Wilderness

Hatshepsut

PhillieG

Thanks
Great avatar Hatshepsut. I am on my way out (I already am "far out") to play guitar and hopefully make some music while I'm at it so I will read the article tonight. I do know firsthand about negotiating with hospitals over bills. I get a bunch of the co-pays, etc for the year. Usually around $1400 or so. SK has been very good with me, I do not pay all year then at the end of the year I get the "Dead Guy" rate which is 33% off the total bill. Not too shabby. I know that my overall expenses have been close to if not over $2,000,000 so far. Someone once asked me if I felt like a million bucks.
;-)
-phil