Quote:
Originally Posted by fastfredracing
My past experience is that you usually get a reduced rate when you are self paying. I have gone in for other stuff in the past, and they have taken care of me fairly, and usually offer discounts if you pay on the spot instead of making them chase you. I don't expect any handouts either
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I assume you went to someone's private office. Discussing the rate beforehand is ok, especially if paying cash. In a small office they will certainly give you a break...guys like you are what I love taking care of.
The bigger the office..and certainly at the hospital, the walk-up cash price is usually WAY inflated because they know you will have a hard time shopping around with an exploded eyeball. You can sometimes negotiate a price before but afterwards at a hospital is usually the best for an urgent item because they don't know what will be involved.
All that being said you have said that you are content paying that price for a clean globe. Therefore the price is right.
That seems like a reasonable price to get a guy with a minimum of 12 years of post-graduate training, his/her staff, facility, clean instruments, and ability to sue (ie malpractice) and in an emergency fashion. Medicare pays about $70 to the surgeon if a slit lamp was used in an outpatient setting no matter how long it takes.....you were certainly billed 2-3 times medicare (for the surgeon) which might be what insurance would pay plus everything else added on. Ask for an itemized bill and find out.