Medical Bill Question

[dizneechic]

My ds8 just had a catheter radio frequency ablation in October for Wolff Parkinson White (cardio electrical pathway issue) and we just finished paying it off and he had another episode in school and it turns out his WPW is back and will require a 2nd surgery next month (well in a few weeks).

Anyhow I called the hospital today to ask about billing because we just had to lay out 9.2k in Dec to pay for Oct's surgery and the next surgery since it will be a new calendar year will cost us the 10% (our portion of insurance) plus our 3k deductible (assuming the surgery costs the same as the previous one) so appx 11k this go round.

They told us if we "pre pay" our anticipated portion of the bill they will give us a 40% discount saving us $4,400 which is GREAT but it has me wondering if this is common practice or if they just are cutting us some slack because we have to repeat the same surgery we did 2 months ago. And if it's common practice why haven't I ever heard of this option before? It seems like more people who have deductibles on their insurance would take advantage of it if they were aware, which is why I am wondering what's the norm when it comes to medical bills.

Anyone have any experience out there?

 

[dex08]

No experience however if you think about it -- prepaying ensures that the hospital is able to have their $ in hand prior to the procedure as opposed to receiving little payments over time. It's a winning situation for the hospital so that's probably why they offer the discount.

Sorry that your son is going through this. Not familiar with his condition but will keep him in my prayers!

 

[quentina]

When doing a payment plan, I did have billing call and say we will reduce by 50% if you pay in full.

Kind of the same concept.

 

[dizneechic]

Thanks! Now I am kinda mad we didn't even try to negotiate the 1st time, we just got the bills and paid in full before they were due just because we hate to have anything over our heads. We literally mailed the checks the same day he had a relapse (salt in the wound there!) and only asked this time because it's the identical procedure so close together.

 

[msmayor]

Even years ago when my daughter was born, and we had our portion of the bill to pay...they told DH as he was in the financial office to make the arrangements that we'd get a discount if he paid the bill right then and there rather than wait for a paper bill from the hospital.

He whipped out his AmEx card and paid it.

So no, not unusual to get a pre-pay discount. It means less work and recordkeeping for the hospital, and no additional bills to send out.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I work in a hospital, and we started offering a discount if you pay your portion in full up front; we also offer a lesser discount if you pay the first billing statement after your insurance has paid.

 

[Tandyc]

My ds14 had cardio ablation for WPW this summer, so I feel your pain. Sorry you need more surgery but it will all be behind you soon and he will have a clear EKG!

We also paid ahead ang got a large reduction for doing so.

Good luck!

Tandyc

 

[DisneyHumbug]

DD (23 yr old) has WPW also. Guess it's not as rare as I thought it was.

 

[disfan07]

I had the same thing (Cardiac ablation )for something different in september.
Our whole bill (before insurance) was $50,000. Our hospital gives you a 50% discount if you have no insurance or if your insurance is a participating insurance with the hospital. so after the hospital discount the bill was about $25,000. Our insurance paid about $17,000 of it so in the end we ended up paying $8,000 OOP.

I have an average of 3-4 surgeries/procedures per year and we have never pre-paid. Our hospital probably offers it (I would be surprised if they didnt) its just something we have never asked about or even thought about.

 

[wdwfan16]

My ds8 just had a catheter radio frequency ablation in October for Wolff Parkinson White (cardio electrical pathway issue) and we just finished paying it off and he had another episode in school and it turns out his WPW is back and will require a 2nd surgery next month (well in a few weeks).

Anyhow I called the hospital today to ask about billing because we just had to lay out 9.2k in Dec to pay for Oct's surgery and the next surgery since it will be a new calendar year will cost us the 10% (our portion of insurance) plus our 3k deductible (assuming the surgery costs the same as the previous one) so appx 11k this go round.

They told us if we "pre pay" our anticipated portion of the bill they will give us a 40% discount saving us $4,400 which is GREAT but it has me wondering if this is common practice or if they just are cutting us some slack because we have to repeat the same surgery we did 2 months ago. And if it's common practice why haven't I ever heard of this option before? It seems like more people who have deductibles on their insurance would take advantage of it if they were aware, which is why I am wondering what's the norm when it comes to medical bills.

Anyone have any experience out there?

I would double check if you have to start over next year. Some insurances will look back 6 months and consider it a continuation.

I have never heard of a prepayment, but I would be very tempted to do it if I get a letter stating I got the 40% discount. I get a 25% discount, sometimes more, if I pay in full when I get my bill. This is after the insurance has negotiated the bill.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Not sure about prepay, but the hospital I am in right now (see sig) offers 20% off the bill (negot rate) if you pay it in 30 days from invoice date