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That stupid colonoscopy

May 31st, 2008 at 02:34 pm

Well, I finally got the bill from the gastroenterology center for my colonoscopy. It is $644 -- my insurance only paid around $255 because it was out-of-network. Like I had any choice? The only in-network services around here are family doctors and pediatricians. What is really discouraging is that I am still expecting bills from the doctor who performed it and the anesthesiologist (who I am certain are out-of-network also), so I'm not nearly done.

If I'd had any idea it would cost me so much out of pocket I wouldn't have done it. I'm not in the risky profile at all.

That said, I am glad I don't have cancer, but I wish there had been a cheaper way to check on that!

This will really throw my dental fund into oblivion. I don't see how I'll ever get those crowns at this point.

Anyway, I'm changing my savings goals -- it will now be the Medical/dental fund.

7 Responses to “That stupid colonoscopy”

  1. Analise Says:
    1212246053

    One good thing about getting that yucky procedure, is that you can have peace of mind knowing you are cancer-free. I've heard of people who did not fit the profile and still got colon cancer.

    I agree that it is ridiculous that it costs so much! Insurance companies should make an exception/adjustment when "out of network" is the only option. It's not like you chose it deliberately. Can you make interest-free monthly payments or do you have to pay it all at once? Can you appeal to the insurance company to review and see if they will make any further adjustments?

  2. Ima saver Says:
    1212246880

    My colonoscopy cost me $1900 and I have no insurance. However, they have discovered polops both times, so i need to have this done every year or two. I am just glad that I can afford it.

  3. Carolina Bound Says:
    1212280634

    Analise - I have already called the insurance company and they are no help. I left a message with the GE Center's billing department, but I'm not expecting much there either. I really don't have to make monthly payments, as I have the money in savings. I just didn't want to spend it this way!

  4. cptacek Says:
    1212292546

    I have to pay for an ambulance ride from the mountain to the hospital because they were "out of network." The customer non-service rep said I should have found an in network ambulance service before I got in that one. Hello, I didn't have a choice! So, after the fact, I asked her to find me one that services that part of Colorado, and she said "we don't contract with any ambulance companies in Colorado."

    That was last Feb (over a year ago) and I still don't have a bill from the ambulance company. They keep submitting it because they said that sometimes BCBS eventually pays.

  5. fern Says:
    1212324678

    The prices are terrible, but i'm glad you had it done. As far as i know, there is no risk profile for colon cancer; in other words, there's nothing in particular you can do to lower your chances, aside from eating your veggies, and there are no symptoms. My step-mother would still be alive today if she had a colonscopy.

  6. Carolina Bound Says:
    1212339616

    Yes, I agree Fern -- and I'm not REALLY sorry I had it done. What I meant about being a low risk is that no one in my family has ever had colon cancer or serious GE problems.

  7. crazyliblady Says:
    1212346517

    I had to have my wisdom teeth pulled out about 12 years ago and the place they wanted me to do it at was over 100 miles away. My wisdom teeth were also impacted and causing me headaches, so my health and dental insurance covered it. There was no network provider anywhere in my area, so I made the legitimate claim to make them pay for it as if it were in-network.

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