I received an estimate on the total cost of my surgery and hospital stay yesterday as a part of my i

GregP_WN
GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
edited January 2020 in General Cancer
This estimate is based on a 3-day stay, I've already been told that I will be there 7 to 10 days, or whatever it takes until I get well. So this estimate is in error to start with, but here is what it is.
$232,000.000 Sor we can safely say 250,000 to 500,000. So at this point, I'm just considering all of this to be like we are playing with monopoly money, and it doesn't matter.

Comments

  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited January 2020
    Costs have gone out of control. It doesn't do any good to worry about it - you have to have the surgery ... but it is absolutely mind-boggling what they charge.
  • Molly72
    Molly72 Member Posts: 227
    edited January 2020
    Sometimes ya just don't know what to say. As LWC says, don't worry, just get better.
  • Dawsonsmom
    Dawsonsmom Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2020
    And people still think we don’t need a national health plan.....
  • Molly72
    Molly72 Member Posts: 227
    edited January 2020
    "VOTE"---- if you can find a senator or representative who cares about some thing other than
    their own well-being.
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited January 2020
    At our last office visit to talk with surgeon and ask a few questions, then go next door to "speech Pathology" for an orientation visit where they showed us the medical devices that would be placed in my stoma for filtering air, showering, and the other information that a newbie would need to know , it was an informational visit and I knew would be another crazy amount of a bill. I just looked it up online $781.00 for what was maybe 20 minutes. They told us that they would be coming into the room each day I'm there to start showing me how to talk with the electro-larynx. Those will be the same up to 1K per visit, I'm just guessing.

    Out of control, runaway freight train that's going to kill thousands of people because they can't afford blood pressure meds, diabetes meds, or to see a cancer doctor.
  • Teachertina
    Teachertina Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2020
    I have a running tab at my cancer center for what the insurance didn’t cover. I’ll be making payments forever but that’s ok. They will keep seeing me as long as I do. I’m not going to worry about the money. There are more important things to think about. Don’t let them get to you about all that! Just get through this and get better!
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited January 2020
    I should have said before that I'm not worried about the amount left. I'm just amazed, in awe, dumbfounded, and perplexed by the charges issued to some of these things. I just laugh when they ask me if that will be credit, or debit card, cash or check? I then ask, what's your option "E"? I have had thousands written off there. I hate that I am not in a position to pay it, but I am thankful that there is a facility where students can learn, the best of care is given by some of the best in cancer research, and that they are flexible, (on most bills). I might just donate my body to them when they're done with it for a discount.
  • Bengal
    Bengal Member Posts: 518
    edited January 2020
    I know you're a little distracted right now but you should send a copy of this to every member of Congress. Oh, wait. They don't care.
  • Bengal
    Bengal Member Posts: 518
    edited January 2020
    I know you're a little distracted right now but you should send a copy of this to every member of Congress. Oh, wait. They don't care.
  • Bengal
    Bengal Member Posts: 518
    edited January 2020
    Not again. Don't know why my stuff is getting posted twice. Something hokey with my device???
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited January 2020
    Not sure bengal, when you post something are you seeing it post right away or is there a delay? Sometimes if you don't see it post right away and you think maybe you didn't hit the right button or something and you post it again, then it decides to post both of them. Let me know if it continues to double post, if so we can have the tech guru look at it.
  • beachbum5817
    beachbum5817 Member Posts: 238
    edited January 2020
    Wow, that is just ridiculous. I know it is easier said than done, but try not to worry about it. Like @Teachertina said, as long as you pay something, they will treat you. Something does need to be done about the outrageous charges.
  • Dkatsmeow
    Dkatsmeow Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2020
    My surgery ran the insurance company around $350,000.00. That was in 2015.
  • Boogerman
    Boogerman Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2020
    These amounts are a joke and it's only getting worse. It's a game that the providers play with the payors. Charge twice as much as it should be so that when the amount gets cut in half then they got what they wanted in the first place. It's a for real crisis. But nobody wants to look at it.
  • Created07
    Created07 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2020
    I paid off 3 surgeries and two rounds of radiation monthly. This was between 2011 and 2015. The last of 2015 was the beginning of chem and 3 stays in the hospital. They had changed their payment time and everything had to be paid in 24 months. The medicine alone for one treatment was over $100,00.00. I had 6. I called the billing department and told them there was no way I could do that. I reminded them of the fact that I had paid off three cancers already, but I just could not do this. They sent me a form asking only for the members of our household and their income. I returned it. Not only did they cancel the entire cancer cost, but did not charge me for another thing for the next year. I am truly blessed

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