Health Care: Underinsured and Uninsured

[Russ]

Interesting article from CNN detailing the increase in the under-insured in health coverage and un-insured... 'Underinsured' Americans may raise all health care costs - Mar. 5, 2009


Do what I do and offer to pay a small portion each month until your bill is paid-off. Everyone I've dealt with has accepted that.

I know quite a few folks that just ignore the bills. Most of the providers simply write it off.

 

[Ranger]

I have a $10,000.00 deductible plan so I negotiate everything with the doctors. If they won't quote a price up front I look for
another doctor.

There are 2 doctors in my area who are cash only. One of them has all of his prices quoted on his website. I had a cyst that needed to be removed and called a practice that was down the street from my office. They wanted me to pay $90 for an office visit for them to decide if they could remove it or if they would have to send me to a specialist. (Actual removal would be an additional price).

I walked in to the cash only doc on a Saturday morning and he removed it for $100.

 

[arnguy]

You may wish to tip off the IRS to those two doctors who are cash only. The IRS Criminal Investigation Division loves to go after doctors and other highly compensated individuals who deal in a cash only business.

There is a reward for the informant if the tip turns out to be valid.

 

[Ranger]

I guess I should clarify ..... when I say cash only, I mean they don't file insurance for their patients. You have to file your own insurance. They cater mostly to the self employed. Not filing insurance cuts their costs and allows them to provide less expensive service. One of these guys has actually testified in front of Congress on what he thinks health care should look like.
The short version is people take their pets to vet, get the oil changed in their cars etc and don't worry about insurance to pay those expenses. So why have insurance pay for routine doctor's office visit?