General Discussion

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)

14. NEGOTIATE, NEGOTIATE, NEGOTIATE.

Reply to Gravitycollapse (Original post)

Tue Sep 3, 2013, 12:46 AM

Sep 2013

Call around a few facilities before you go anywhere. Tell them that you have no insurance and would like an x-ray, but that you need to be sure what the cost will be ahead of time. Almost nobody pays "list price" for medical procedures, as the insurance companies negotiate discounted rates, but you should be able to negotiate down to at least the discounted insurance company rate, even though you are paying out of pocket.

Here's a story about someone who negotiated the cost of a hernia procedure down from $20,000 to $3,000:

http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/a/SB10001424127887324139404579017113415486176?mg=reno64-wsj

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How much does a wrist x-ray cost without insurance? [View all] Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 OP

$500 or so, but you'd need to go through the ER. joshcryer Sep 2013 #1

Will they just bill it to me? Or do I have to pay up front? Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #2

They can't refuse to treat you. joshcryer Sep 2013 #5

Correct. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #6

I'm going to try and get into my doctor tomorrow. Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #7

Take it easy, check my edit, too. joshcryer Sep 2013 #8

Wow, that's crazy Art_from_Ark Sep 2013 #27

wow! shaylah2012 Jun 2014 #40

I don't live there anymore, but I occasionally go back Art_from_Ark Jun 2014 #41

In Phoenix? About 3 grand when all is said and done. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #3

It is so late...you should just go to the emergency room.. VanillaRhapsody Sep 2013 #4

I'm currently in a cast for a broken wrist. SharonAnn Sep 2013 #26

Exactly....you don't know how important a wrist is until you lose the use of one... VanillaRhapsody Sep 2013 #30

If you have an urgent care center in your area, they can treat simple fractures. pnwmom Sep 2013 #9

It would be cheaper to go to a walk-in clinic than the ER. grasswire Sep 2013 #10

No, in fact I only have liability on the motorcycle. Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #11

Damn, that sucks! joshcryer Sep 2013 #12

This is what it looked like... Gravitycollapse Sep 2013 #13

:( joshcryer Sep 2013 #17

NEGOTIATE, NEGOTIATE, NEGOTIATE. Nye Bevan Sep 2013 #14

He will need the cash or credit card at time of service then. They will not bill. Safetykitten Sep 2013 #15

That is NOT why you go to the Emergency room. alittlelark Sep 2013 #18

Great advice. I also know someone who tried to negotiate after the fact. pnwmom Sep 2013 #34

Everything is negotiable Trekologer Sep 2013 #38

There is usually not one simple answer to that question. SheilaT Sep 2013 #16

Call around, prices differ newfie11 Sep 2013 #19

Call one of these places. rug Sep 2013 #20

why is this a question in this country?..it's absurd we build carriers and can't treat our citizens Demonaut Sep 2013 #21

I have been saying this for years gopiscrap Sep 2013 #23

Even Mexico has nationalized health care for all newfie11 Sep 2013 #32

I had one once at a Dr.'s office for 210.00 gopiscrap Sep 2013 #22

The cost doesn't matter, just make sure to have it checked out quinnox Sep 2013 #24

Unfortunately it depends on the hospital Hekate Sep 2013 #25

It depends on how serious of a break it is... cynatnite Sep 2013 #28

If you've got urgent care centers in your area, go there first thing tomorrow morning Warpy Sep 2013 #29

Depends on your area Sgent Sep 2013 #31

It's what comes after the x-ray that cost money. You'll need a cast B Calm Sep 2013 #33

You may also get a bill from the doctor who interprets it. AngryOldDem Sep 2013 #35

You'll need more than one X-ray rightsideout Sep 2013 #36

About $200 in an outpatient clinic cash Yo_Mama Sep 2013 #37

The free clinic in my area... NCTraveler Sep 2013 #39