As clients get savvier about shopping for health care, few are finding a curious trend: More hospitals, imaging centers, outpatient surgery centers and pharmacy chains will offer them immense discounts if they pay cash rather than using insurance.
When Nancy Surdoval, a retired lawyer, required a knee X-ray previous year, Boulder Community Hospital in Colorado stated that it would cost her $600, out of pocket, utilizing her high-deductible insurance, or merely $70 if she paid cash upfront.
When she required an MRI to investigate further, she was provided a same choice—she could pay $1,100, out of pocket, utilizing her insurance or $600 if she self-paid in cash.
Instead to feel good about the savings, Ms. Surdoval got really angry at her carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “I am paying $530 a month in premiums and I get charged more than someone who merely walks in off the street?” claims Ms. Surdoval, who classifies her time between Boulder and Tucson. “I consider insurance companies discussed good deals for us. Now things are totally upside down.”
No comments:
Post a Comment