Why does a Hospital's estimate of work
vastly exceed the negotiated amount they will actually get paid by an insurance company?
I'm having a CT study next week, and got a letter from the hospital stating it would cost $6,300.00, but my insurance would pay $460.00, and I'd owe....wait for it...
nothing.
Why does a hospital have such pie-in-the-sky estimates, knowing they've contracted with insurance companies for < 8%?
At first guess, I though that non-insured, or patients with non-contracted insurance would be expected to pay that full amount, or at least a lot more than 10%. Can't believe there are patients out there with zero insurance (not even federal Medicaide/Medicare) that could afford this.
I'm sure the insurance co. is quick to say, "We are nationwide, but you are local hospital, so you'll accept what we will offer" and "We've studied the actual costs of a CT exam, top-to-bottom, and yeah, it's only costing you about $500. Take it or leave it. We'll deal with our angry customers when you tell them you don't accept them."
Glad I'll be dead in < 25 years. Feel sorry for my descendants, at least while I'm still alive.
