I recently went to a doctor for a check up. NOthing major, just blood work, and the general things. When I received my statement from my insurance I almost fainted. I live in a very rural community and the amount of money this doctor charged seemed a little much. He charged my insurance 208.00. Is this normal these days or am I right in thinking this is a bit much? Also, he is not a MD he is a DO. Also, this is what he charges every time. Not just initial visit.
2006-09-13 20:28:40 · 10 answers · asked by Debbie H 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
The medical professional has gone totally crazy. I went to the dentist recently and I got charged $146 for removing 2 teeth. This is the money I owed after my insurance paid its share of $600+. He saw me for 1 minute to give me Novocaine. Then left to see another patient. He has 5 chairs going at one time popping in and out. He saw me for the minute it took to take out my teeth.
Md's are the same. You set in their office for an hour or so til the nurse comes in and takes you to the exam room. There you get to wait 1-3 hours depending on his schedule. He sees you for 5 minutes to tell you that you need test run. But he doesn't do that. So you have to go to the hospital to get these test. Again your waiting forever. All this for $300-$500. And he has several rooms so he's see 3-5 patients at a time.
Now yes they have spent a great deal of money and time to get where they are. But isn't it a little much.
And what about the poor sap who doesn't have insurance because he can't afford it or his boss doesn't offer him one.
2006-09-13 20:49:14 · answer #1 · answered by art m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As San Diego Art Nut said, including the lab work, it's not really that much. IF it was just for the doctor's visit and not including the lab work, it's quite ridiculous. Where do you live? In most places what a doctor can charge is set by the government. When I first read you question, I was going to say "they shouldn't charge anything because they get paid for each visit by the government (in some countries at least)" But I see that is the charge to your insurance company. They probably wouldn't charge that much for someone without insurance.
The office I worked in charged $40 for the visit for people without National Health Insurance (I'm from Ontario, Canada). They would reimburse it if the person came back with a health card. I thought $40 was too much! Generally, doctors charge the most they are ALLOWED to by their government.
2006-09-14 03:44:03 · answer #2 · answered by jeshzisd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cost varies depending on what you go in for, the lab work you have done, where you live, who you see etc. Be thankful your insurance paid! Just be sure you have a good doctor, and maintain a great relationship with that doctor, because you never know when you may need them to negotiate prices for you...and PLEASE read the "fine print" in your insurance plan. Be sure you don't have any limitations like I did on my last plan....Also ask for a copy of your medical record and a detailed summary of your bill...it is always good to have these and can save you money if you need to see another doctor (an MD) etc. These are just a few cost saving tips I learned about in the book "Healthcare for Less" by Michelle KAtz that I picked up the other day from Barnes and Noble. It also has a simple chart about preventative medicine and the ages you should be getting certain tests at....I highly recommend it. You can also get the book for about $10 on www.amazon.com...it is worth it!
2006-09-14 09:15:24 · answer #3 · answered by Michelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that sounds about right and also since he's a DO he's a specialist which of course are more expensive. if u want a Doctor that charges a little cheaper...try finding a General Practitioner or Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctors. FP's are not that expensive. for a physical that includes EKG's...some injections (i.e. tetanus, pneumonia), and labs should run you about no more than 150. Specialists however are a different story..they can charge up to however amount they want. i go to my dermatologist quite often and he charges me 500 something bucks just to look at my face...he doesn't do anything else but tells me if the medication he gave me from prior visit is working or not. he charges me that every visit. so, 208 is pretty reasonable.
2006-09-14 03:49:25 · answer #4 · answered by Christy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doctors are expensive... I don't have insurance, so I just try to not get sick. :P I think insurance companies upped the cost of Doctor visits, since they pay for it and seem to have an endless supply of cash, Dr.s charge more... My theory anyway. But yea, it's pretty expensive from what I've heard. And the ER? :P Pfff... I hope I never go there or I'll probably bankrupt.
2006-09-14 03:33:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
208.00 doesnt sound to bad my doctor charges me 200 to go to every check up or every visit . but i think the price sometimes matters on the state or where the location is because thats what my doctors excuse was
2006-09-14 03:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by gdog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doctor visit was probably only about $128 and the rest was the lab work.
Very normal cost for a visit.
2006-09-14 03:38:58 · answer #7 · answered by Twisted Maggie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a pcp sports medicine and that charge is about what we charge....this is a real number...I have billed/charged 667k so far this year I have been paid 237k my overhead 250k.......so I made minus 13 k yes minus it cost me money to see patients....you guys are not aware of the enormous hasles we face.my overhead is 28k a month
2014-09-26 09:29:24 · answer #8 · answered by Wendy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With lab work 208 does not sound bad. He also has insurance, staff, rent, etc. I'm glad you have insurance.
2006-09-14 03:31:43 · answer #9 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
208 dollars? What is the denomination?
2006-09-14 03:33:58 · answer #10 · answered by Kellybelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋