[kmakar]

The past 80 days my wife has had medical issues that really got us (my wife and I) thinking about the cost of healthcare and hospitalization.

With all the tests my wife has had in the last 80 days, I can only guess what it's going to cost, but what I know for sure is what I've already paid out.

We belong to the Christian Healthcare Network where we pay the bills upfront and get reimbursed after we've paid the bills. When you walk into any medical procedure or hospital you inform them you are self pay, and it cuts the bill down by usually 2/3rds (two thirds).

So far I've paid out of pocket $5,575.00 for tests and doctors visits and this is up to but not including my wife's hospitalization and surgery. The hospitalization was 5 days.

My wife and I were talking before we fell asleep and her guess for the hospital was about $100,000. I had to remind her that all the people who work there bill separately (Doctors, MRI's, Cat-scans, Anesthesiologists, and then the hospital itself).

She recanted her original estimate and said the hospital would cost $50,000, the surgeons (including anesthesiologists) would be $30,000, and all the other testing would be about $20,000.

My estimate is substantially higher. Even with self pay lowering the bills, I think it'll be more like $80,000 for the hospital, $50,000 for the surgeons and anesthesiologist, and $10,000 for all other testing including MRI's Cat Scans, and such.

What do you think it'll cost for my wife's brain surgery? We are curious what others experienced and what they think it might cost.

 

[69SHEVL]

Not positive, but I think racking up bills close to a million dollars is not out of the question these days.

Of course, collecting from you is a different story.

Tell them to put it "On account".

"On account" that you have no money.

 

[kmakar]

Not positive, but I think racking up bills close to a million dollars is not out of the question these days.

Of course, collecting from you is a different story.

I don't have a million laying around, however I will pay the bill. I'm hoping it'll be a lot less than that, but I have insurance.

Lisa said she's going to call the insurance tomorrow and see if they will just deal with it directly and maybe they can negotiate it down and pay the bills directly.

 

[busterwivell]

Five days i the hospital will be 6 figures.............at least, that's what they will bill.
We're on Medicare, with a suppliment policy. My wife is currently undergoing lung cancer treatment. She goes in for an infusion at the clinic every 4 weeks. They bill Medicare 36,000 for each treatment. Medicare approves over 11,000 and between them and our supplimental policy, that's what gets paid.
Medical care is extremely expensive. If we didn't have insurance, between my cancer treatments, heart attacks, and my wife's, we'd already be homeless (and dead).

 

[kmakar]

Five days i the hospital will be 6 figures.............at least, that's what they will bill.
We're on Medicare, with a suppliment policy. My wife is currently undergoing lung cancer treatment. She goes in for an infusion at the clinic every 4 weeks. They bill Medicare 36,000 for each treatment. Medicare approves over 11,000 and between them and our supplimental policy, that's what gets paid.
Medical care is extremely expensive. If we didn't have insurance, between my cancer treatments, heart attacks, and my wife's, we'd already be homeless (and dead).

I'm sorry for what your wife is going through.

I may have a heart attack when I get the bills for my wife's hospitalization. We have been pretty healthy all these years, but I also have the VA for my healthcare and never see any bills from them.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Hospitals are a money racket, they will try to screw you over however they can.

 

[busterwivell]

Let your insurance company argue the bill with the hospital. I used to worry about all that stuff. Never was sick at all until I turned 63. You have insurance, you'll be ok. Not sure about the pay first, get reimbursed part. Just tell them you're broke.

 

[shovelrick]

My guess would be around $200,000 I do think the Hosp., Drs. start high because insurance companies get those prices lowered, for my wifes treatments since 1/1/21 our BCBS was billed around $300,000 but payed less, the bill you get isn't what they'll settle for

 

[HKalin]

My wife and me are both retired. We enrolled in a Anthem Advantage Plan. We both have the same plan but they are separate to each other and are $35.20 each every month plus the $147 that SS takes out. My wife slipped on the top step and fell into the garage earlier this year it is only two steps to reach the garage floor but she ended up breaking her elbow. The total cost for the operation along with her prescriptions she takes during the year plus any other medical claims during the year has totalled up so far around $58,000, out of that amount after the agreed insurance price on all these items the cost to the insurance was around $20,000 and our cost was around $3,600. The worst part of our cost is for therapy on her elbow that she is still going for. She normally goes 3 times a week with our cost is $30 for each visit. As long as you are going to in Network doctors and medical facilities you don't pay the full load.

 

[kmakar]

My wife and me are both retired. We enrolled in a Anthem Advantage Plan. We both have the same plan but they are separate to each other and are $35.20 each every month plus the $147 that SS takes out. My wife slipped on the top step and fell into the garage earlier this year it is only two steps to reach the garage floor but she ended up breaking her elbow. The total cost for the operation along with her prescriptions she takes during the year plus any other medical claims during the year has totalled up so far around $58,000, out of that amount after the agreed insurance price on all these items the cost to the insurance was around $20,000 and our cost was around $3,600. The worst part of our cost is for therapy on her elbow that she is still going for. She normally goes 3 times a week with our cost is $30 for each visit. As long as you are going to in Network doctors and medical facilities you don't pay the full load.

Sorry about your wife. Is she doing better, and is the therapy helping?

 

[billdini]

Kevin don't you have medicare option B and then a supplement. I have United Healthcare advantage plan with a $1150 max out pay per year, with my wife's Verizon retirement plan. But it uses Medicare and the option B that I pay outright. Hope the wife is doing better.

Bill

 

[kmakar]

Kevin don't you have medicare option B and then a supplement. I have United Healthcare advantage plan with a $1150 max out pay per year, with my wife's Verizon retirement plan. But it uses Medicare and the option B that I pay outright. Hope the wife is doing better.

Bill

Neither my wife or I are on Medicare, we haven't reached that age yet. I get VA healthcare, but I pay for Lisa's.

Lisa is taking it very easy today, and mostly staying in bed, but the doctor wants her to just get up and move around a bit, so she has been. I just made her lunch, so she's getting great care from me (I'm watching her like a hawk).

 

[HKalin]

Sorry about your wife. Is she doing better, and is the therapy helping?

Yes, she's doing well. The therapy is helping she had to have a few new parts put in during the operation. When something like that happens you have to work just to get your fingers working right again plus she has had a few contraptions for stretching the arm to bend more at the elbow and the other one to help straighten the arm. I was driving her to doctor appointments and to therapy but now she's driving again.

 

[kmakar]

Yes, she's doing well. The therapy is helping she had to have a few new parts put in during the operation. When something like that happens you have to work just to get your fingers working right again plus she has had a few contraptions for stretching the arm to bend more at the elbow and the other one to help straighten the arm. I was driving her to doctor appointments and to therapy but now she's driving again.

I've been driving Lisa everywhere because her vision is messed up. Her right eye has been opening more since the operation, but she has double vision right now because of nerve damage (from before they did brain surgery), but the Dr is hopeful it will resolve itself over the next 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[oldcutlass]

I hope your wife recovers quickly. From my past experience, just let the bills pile up until everything is done and the insurance settles out on their part. Then go to the billing department and negotiate a final settlement for cash.

 

[kmakar]

I hope your wife recovers quickly. From my past experience, just let the bills pile up until everything is done and the insurance settles out on their part. Then go to the billing department and negotiate a final settlement for cash.

Thanks. With how they bill now I'll be getting bills for months. Wife hurt her foot about 3 years ago, and a quick trip to the emergency room for a bad sprained ankle was $4,500 and I got bills 8 months later (that bill for xrays I didn't pay because they pissed me off, but it was only $60, and I did it out of principle).

I figure we'll call the insurance company tomorrow, let them call the hospital and deal with it, then handle the rest after.

 

[Autoengineer_]

My knee surgery for a torn meniscus was billed to my insurance for $90k. THat wasn't even an overnight stay.

Insurance said they could only charge $60k. Then insurance paid 90%. So my final bill was $6k.

 

[68Chevele]

I would gladly pay everything I have to save my wife or son, money doesn't matter if they are no longer with you.

 

[kmakar]

I would gladly pay everything I have to save my wife or son, money doesn't matter if they are no longer with you.

Oh, I agree, I intend on paying the whole bill, but I'm just wondering how much it'll cost.

I assume brain surgery is one of those things that has a higher cost, so I'm just curious.

 

[68Chevele]

Oh, I agree, I intend on paying the whole bill, but I'm just wondering how much it'll cost.

I assume brain surgery is one of those things that has a higher cost, so I'm just curious.

Back in 2013 my stents cost were over 71K it quite a surprise when you see that for the 1st time. I am sure it's over 100K these days.