By Andy Schoonover, CEO CrowdHealth
Here is a story about how I just might be a psychopath (and how I saved 88% on my medical bill in 12 minutes).
I was in the ER a couple months ago (turned out to be a nothing burger…technical term) but I started getting bills recently.
Of note, I got a bill from a local radiology group. I knew them well. I’ve gone to them before. Apparently the hospital outsources their interpretation of scans to this group.
CPT Codes 70551, 70498, 70496, 0042T for INTERPRETATION ONLY (this doesn’t actually include the equipment or the technician that did the scan…just a radiologist to interpret the scan) came out to $3,883. Felt crazy to me so….
I called the same radiology group’s local bricks and mortar locations and asked: “What are your cash pay prices for these codes?” Their answer was $1,500 for all 4. I asked if this was interpretation of the scans or the actual service and they said “BOTH.”
Hmmm….so if I walked into a bricks and mortar and paid in cash I could get the scans AND the interpretation for $1,500 whereas they are asking for $3,883 for just the interpretation. I expected an emergency situation to be more. That makes business sense but this seemed ludicrous.
I called the billing department of this radiology group and told them about the interesting fact that I had found. They want to charge me 2.5x the price for interpretation only as they would for the interpretation AND the service if I were to walk in. I then informed them that I consider this price gouging and that I would take them to small claims court (thanks to Marshall Allen for this idea) if they don’t give me a fair price. I was serious. Filing a small claim is super easy.
Their answer: “If you pay by credit card right now we will bill you $460.”
This entire set of conversations took all of 12 minutes and the thrill I got was akin to setting the hook on a 10lb bass or the sweet sound of a golf ball getting hit flush off the club and landing a couple feet from the hole. I might have issues. Psychiatrists feel free to psychoanalyze.
That’s how fired up we get at CrowdHealth when we help you negotiate your bills. It’s our passion. Join us and let’s put an end to people getting hosed by the medical industrial complex.
