HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Can you negotiate hospital bills if insured?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/20/2014 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
I had surgery the previous week, I will be getting a bill from the hospital. My insurance is covering most of it, but even with that, the co-insurance portion will be high. Can that be negotiated, if so, what is the correct way to proceed?

Post Edited (Squirm) : 12/20/2014 5:26:12 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/21/2014 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
When I saw the title, I was going to say "Absolutely!". But then you went and mentioned insurance involvement. With the "agreed" prices big insurance gets, I would not expect much in the way of negotiating room, if any. You can give it a try, and there may also be local agencies that offer some support programs. Doesn't hurt to ask, but do it without high hopes.
Posted 12/21/2014 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Good point, I changed the title.
Posted 12/21/2014 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
In our state it depends on your income. Here they have something called Spend Down (there are other programs also but I don't know the names). If you are one of the unlucky ones w/ a high deductible 5,000-6,500 dollars and depending on your income they will agree to write off the deductible portion. I have also HAD to (no other choice) let my medical acct. go into private collections and after a year of paying minimum had them negotiate down and cut off half of the amount.
Posted 12/21/2014 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Depends on the hospital, etc.

I used to work and had surgery at a hospital in NH that if you paid within 4 days of service you got a discount of 10 or 20%, I can't remember exactly but it was a fair amount (this was on your balance after insurance- including copays, deductibles, etc). This applied to not only the hospital itself but all the medical practices affiliated with it... Thinking more, I remember paying 8.00 copays on what would have been 10.00 so it must have been 20%.....A good deal considering I always would have paid that during the visit too.

Some places have financial assistance available so that may be worth checking in to as well through their business office.

You may want to ask if they have a pay immediately or any other discount available.

So yes, in many cases you can negotiate hospital bills.
Posted 12/21/2014 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Squirm,
I would say it doesn't matter if you have insurance or not.
We were left with a big bill after the insurance paid their part so my husband went in and negotiated with the business office. He cut a substantial amount by paying in cash. My sister negotiated 40% off her husbands bill and set up a reasonable payment plan. Seems they will work with you but it's best to get in there to talk with someone in person. And you know that old saying "you don't know unless you ask and it doesn't hurt to ask!"
Good Luck,
Susan
Posted 12/21/2014 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
My Blue Cross Explanation of Benefits / EOB , shows what the patient is responsible for according to Blue Cross's contract with the hospital.
My local hospital does not negotiate unless patient is low income according to billing statement I got.
I know other patients who paid in installments.
Good luck negotiating.

Post Edited (robertC) : 12/21/2014 2:19:38 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/24/2014 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the info and help, I will see what can get done. Hopefully, they can give a discount if I can pay it off at once.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply