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Related: Culture Forums, Support Forumshow much is an office call at your local clinic?
I just opened a bill for my recent visit to see a nurse practitioner (NOT an MD) because I had strained my ball of the foot joint -- I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a stress fracture.
The charge for the visit -- 10 min MAX with the nurse: $402!!!!
What the hey is going on?
Also charged $93 for dTap vaccine, and $53 for the aide (not the NP) to jab me with it. Her time to jab less than a minute.
I haven't paid much attention lately, and haven't been to the doc much.
How much is a visit where you are?
Oh, and did you know that if the patient raises a second concern during the visit, or if you need a prescription refill written, the code is upgraded to way more $$$$ -- even if the amount of time is the same.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)grasswire
(50,130 posts)If we want to keep a lid on health care costs, we need to pay attention to the fees that are being charged, not just what we pay in a co-pay.
That's exactly why they get away with upcoding -- many people don't see the real bill.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)HappyMe
(20,277 posts)is on a sliding scale. I have been fortunate enough to not have to pay them a visit.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Doctor's offices and hospitals routinely have billing tables that are 3 or more times what they actually expect to get paid. The reasons for doing this are complex but have to do with being underpaid and ratcheted down every time you have to negotiate with an insurance company.
You should get an EOB after the insurance actually pays that will tell you how much money actually changed hands.
And I would bet the farm that it won't be $402.
sinkingfeeling
(52,692 posts)Kali
(55,508 posts)I think they charged her ~ $60 for the office visit, I took care of one prescription ($140 - ouch, and a lab test for another $100 - waste of time/$, doc called it right but I wanted to be sure)
ohiosmith
(24,262 posts)$68.00.