https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:39:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1200001 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:26:09 +0000 mediagirl 1200001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: thanks. Yeah, one place I called had the same type of response, "We can't tell you an exact amount but it would be around..." So frustrating!<br /> @dagret: thanks, I'm going to look for one of those now. I may even call them again (even though my husband already did) and see if I get a different answer. :/<br /> @Mrs. Taco: thanks for commiserating. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199993 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:22:51 +0000 mediagirl 1199993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: My husband has asked, it's the full amount. Agreed. Bitches!!</p> <p>So far I have left one message and have two prices from places that actually picked up the phone. They're quite different. So yes, it is worth it to call around. PIMA.<br /> $989.50 or $639 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199973 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:14:05 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1199973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd also ask your insurance company if you pay the discounted, in-network rate or the full amount.</p> <p>Ours is totally the full amount. Bitches! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199958 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:05:21 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1199958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no experience but just wanted to commiserate. It's so frustrating to know there is such a variance in what doctors can charge. Good luck in your search for the most cost effective option! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199945 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:00:09 +0000 dagret 1199945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: My insurance has a "cost estimator" through their website - it shows what they pay for services through different providers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199940 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:58:24 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1199940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Nope, not even close. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199933 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:56:50 +0000 mediagirl 1199933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: was your vague answer about right when your costs were estimated at the end of your visit (with or without any extras?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199924 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:54:42 +0000 kiddosc 1199924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH needed a CT scan about a month ago and his employer self insures, so they appreciate when employees call around to get price estimates. It was the BIGGEST PITA! They could tell him what the cash pay amount was, but since their insurance is contracted through an actual insurance company, no one could tell him what they would be billed without jumping through 50 different hoops. </p> <p>It is 100% worth calling around, because different providers will charge vastly different amounts for the same services (an interesting read on the topic <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/05/08/182295999/dramatically-different-health-care-cost-go-public)" rel="nofollow">http://www.npr.org/2013/05/08/182295999/dramatically-different-health-care-cost-go-public)</a>, it's just a much more difficult process than necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199905 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:50:29 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1199905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I called around last fall, after learning that our insurance company would be doing away with co-pays and we'd have to pay full price for services until we met our deducible. </p> <p>I got very vague answers, and understandably so. I was given a ballpark figure for say, a sick visit for a suspected sinus infection, but it's hard to pinpoint the actual cost -- what if testing is needed? what if I needed a breathing treatment? [i'm asthmatic] </p> <p>I just gave you a vague answer, but I hope it makes sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/calling-around-for-prices-of-doctor-services#post-1199862 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:36:00 +0000 mediagirl 1199862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone else do this? My husband and I both *should* be getting echocardiograms on our hearts every year. We haven't met our deductible this year so we have to pay the full amount of the service. </p> <p>Does anyone else do this? Do you find it cost effective to do so or did you find most doctors charge the same amount? </p>