Kidney stones and "all I want is a quote!!!"

[ajk912]

So I went to the urologist today. I learn that I have a 4.5mm kidney stone, and I guess kidney stones larger than 5mm usually need an intervention, so the doc thinks I should just go ahead and get it fixed. I have had this stone since March, it's not super painful all the time but it has it's moments.

Anyway, because it's elective surgery, I want to know what my costs are before I commit. I must be a spoiled brat, because that is just wayyy tooo much to ask. I called the financial office, they said call your insurance company. I am like, can you tell me anything at all? They said it will be around $10,000, with the outpatient surgery center charges, the anesthesiologist, doctor's charges, etc. I am like, ok. So I call the insurance company to confirm that I have an 80/20 plan and I am responsible for 20%.

Now I want to know what the negotiated rates are. I don't want to call,but I KNOW the insurance company contracts at WAYY below the $10,000. I am guessing $4000? Maybe? So my copay will be $800?

I don't understand why I can't get a quote!!! It's ridiculous I am just supposed to just keep my fingers crossed that the bill isn't too high. I do dental sedation for my kids, I can get a quote. When I did my daughter's tonsils, then adenoids, and then ear tubes, I was able to find out my cost before doing it. Maybe times are different now.

But really..especially for a "maybe you will need it"- I really wish I could know approximately my cost before going into it. It's an outpatient thing, I know situations arise..but dang. Ugh!!!

 

[Planky's girl]

Ok... try this first...

take 2 tablespoons of olive oil... and 2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice...

mix them together really well....

and drink.... with about a quart of water RIGHT after...

it will be gross... but it often works...

You may have to repeat every 4 hours or so...

ALSO... take 1/4 cup of lime juice put into a 16 oz fill with water... you CAN put in sugar or a sugar sub if you need...

drink every 4 hours or so...

The Citrites will help to desolve the stone...


THEN if it doesn't help go get the quote... the juice is cheaper...

And I've had stones on and off for a couple of years... good luck...

 

[Planky's girl]

Google earth clinic dissolve kidney stones... and it should bring you a link (I can't post it yet...) to all the responses... that's where I found it... good luck

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I just had a 3mm stone removed about 3 wks ago. I had it since the beginning of April, with no pain since about the end of April. I thought it was gone, but no it wasn't. My Urologist kinda scared me into having it removed, stating how it being there could cause Kindey damage. Luckily our insurance covered the all the costs. I am really happy I had it removed cause I kept dreading the day the pain would come back and that was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. Good luck with what ever you choose to do

 

[dejr_8]

Did you ask about Lithotripsy?

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_litkid_crs.htm

 

[ilovefh]

I had lithotripsy twice and the first time it was about 15K. For them to use the lithotripsy machine it cost me 6K alone! This didn't include the anesthesia, the OR fee, or anything else!

 

[ajk912]

Did you ask about Lithotripsy?

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_litkid_crs.htm

This is exactly what they recommended. And yup, I was told when they were giving me the breakdown the use of the machine is $6189.

 

[Mermaid02]

There are so many variables that any QUOTE you get will most likely not be accurate. They won't give you a quote because if it's higher than what was quoted you might say you were quoted a cheaper price by xyz and will not pay the actual bill.

 

[ajk912]

Ok... try this first...

take 2 tablespoons of olive oil... and 2 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice...

mix them together really well....

and drink.... with about a quart of water RIGHT after...

it will be gross... but it often works...

You may have to repeat every 4 hours or so...

ALSO... take 1/4 cup of lime juice put into a 16 oz fill with water... you CAN put in sugar or a sugar sub if you need...

drink every 4 hours or so...

The Citrites will help to desolve the stone...


THEN if it doesn't help go get the quote... the juice is cheaper...

And I've had stones on and off for a couple of years... good luck...

Thank you! I try it! Well, without the olive oil I think. I have heard that lemon or lime juice helps, so it can't hurt to try!

 

[ajk912]

There are so many variables that any QUOTE you get will most likely not be accurate. They won't give you a quote because if it's higher than what was quoted you might say you were quoted a cheaper price by xyz and will not pay the actual bill.

Is that what happened? Because like I said, maybe I was spoiled because we haven't had any surgeries or expensive medical procedures in a while. Even when I had my kids, I knew approximately what the hospital charges would be beforehand. The only ones I didn't find out beforehand where the anesthesiologist and lab fees. I know that the lithotripsy can have complications, but not NEARLY as many complications as childbirth. But maybe it's changed over the years... Ah, the good old days!!!

 

[lucas]

Thank you! I try it! Well, without the olive oil I think. I have heard that lemon or lime juice helps, so it can't hurt to try!

Drink LOTS of lemonade.

 

[Mermaid02]

I think the world has changed. People are so quick now to want something for nothing (not you- I just mean in general) I work in a Pediatric office (we are part of a large hospital) and people want to know ALL the time how much a visit is going to be. We have NO idea until the doc fills out the superbill and the coders have a chance to code it. How long is the visit going to take? If the parent has lots of questions, it's going to take more time and yep, it's going to cost more. Does the child need any immunizations? etc etc.

The state of Maine owes the hospital I work for over 80 MILLION dollars for services rendered to people on MaineCare (medicaid) these charges go back to 2005. There are talks of layoffs at my employer and the state won't pay their bills- If you or I owed the hospital a tiny fraction of that it would have been sent to collections long ago. It's pathetic. Sorry to rant ot... carry on....