600 dollar consult?

I went to mass general for a consult. The doctor looked over my records while I was there and only talked for 20 min and old me the same thing as my normal gi dr. I got a bill for around 550 because apparently he is out of network. He had discounted me 50 dollars. Is this absurd? Any suggestions. Haven't gotten in contact with the dr yet but I'm freaked out.

I would be talking to their billing department and negotiating that rate lower, probably half that amount would be called for unless he did more behind the scenes than your 20 minute consult.

Oh hold on, did they charge you that for 20mins? At Boston that's the fee for an hour? It might be the standard cost of a "case review" which assumes the GI goes through your entire file and then discusses it with you. Yes, I'd try to sort it out as well. That's crazy.

I went to New York city and paid "the guy" $800 for an initial consult. It really was a nice office bet. Park and Central Park East.

The doctor really was "the guy" not only does he have a practice, he is a teacher as well.

Since he was out my network, it was out of my pocket.

I was really nice to see someone who really knew/understood how we suffer. I had brought some reports with me 2 colonoscopies and an endoscopy.

His comments and analysis were enlightening and have me on a better path.

I also scored an Asacol Patient Savings Card, which does save me about $150. I now pay $370 a month for Asacol.

I went back again this past Summer had a flare, that was only a $240 visit. Again out of pocket.

Not sure now if it was already winding down or that I had begun taking VSL#3.

So $600 was a bargain :)

Hi Marianne,

I did try to submit it and it was rejected.

Glad to hear you are happy with the results of the J-pouch.

I would definitely do that if I could spare the time. I have a small business which is dependent upon me.

Consultations with IBD subspecialist gastros in the Northeast U.S. are expensive. Most of them divide their time between seeing patients, teaching at medical colleges, conducting drug trials, & cooperating on research projects, plus writing medical textbooks. They have built their reputations, and therefore command higher fees than networks provide. $600 is probably on the lower end of high-- in today's market. However, auto mechanics can also charge princely sums ... not fun having to shell out but that's how our economy runs. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)