Your heart attack bill: $3,300 in Arkansas, $92,000 in California

Re:Your heart attack bill: $3,300 in Arkansas, $92,000 in Ca... by scarmig on Wednesday May 08, 2013 @06:34PM (#5677447)

It's quite possible to get a lower rate than what's billed to the insurance company if you're uninsured. Maybe not at all hospitals, but at many.

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Re:Your heart attack bill: $3,300 in Arkansas, $92,000 in Ca... by cpncrunch on Wednesday May 08, 2013 @06:52PM (#5677577)

Perhaps, but it seems to be down to your negotiating ability.

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Re:Your heart attack bill: $3,300 in Arkansas, $92,000 in Ca... by amorphid on Wednesday May 08, 2013 @10:52PM (#5678498)

I had a major bike accident in 2006 and was taken to a hospital emergency room. The hospital told me they take my insurance. They really meant they'll bill my insurance.

My insurance company didn't have a negotiated rate with the hospital and the treatment was considered out of network. Instead of paying only the maximum out of pocket cost of $4,000 USD per year, insurance only offered 50% and I got hit with a bill for $50,000. It eventually got worked out months later after months of fighting the hospital, doctors, and insurance, but it sucked big time.

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Re:Your heart attack bill: $3,300 in Arkansas, $92,000 in Ca... by visarga on Thursday May 09, 2013 @05:44AM (#5679554)

Health care but Financial death.

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