I took my child for blood work as recommended by the doctor due to possible exposure. We went to the Children’s Hospital, which is where the pediatrician referred us. I got the bill, and it’s way more than the estimate shown through my insurance app. I called the insurance company, and they said this is because the labs were done at the hospital as outpatient work. It’s in-network and listed as a Tier 1 provider. Any advice on what to do next? Do I have any options besides just paying the bill?
Thanks for posting. As a reminder, if there’s a medical emergency, call 911. Also, including your age, state, and income can help others provide more specific advice. Having your EOB (explanation of benefits) handy is useful too.
Unfortunately, when you have labs done at a hospital, the costs are higher compared to an outpatient provider like Quest or LabCorp. Depending on your insurance plan, you may need to pay a deductible and coinsurance for lab work. Check if the hospital offers financial assistance programs.
@Koa
No, you should get the labs done at an outpatient lab, not the hospital. The hospital is usually the most expensive option. In your case, since it was done at an in-network hospital, that’s why it’s more expensive.
@Porter
Depends on the child’s age. I went through Children’s Hospital because my kid didn’t even notice the blood draw thanks to their specialists. It was worth the cost for us.
Grier said: @Porter
How is the average person supposed to know this stuff?
I’ve been in healthcare for 25 years, and even I learned about the cost difference between hospitals and labs like Quest after seeing patient complaints. It’s not something that’s obvious or easy to find out.
@Lucypiper
It’s designed to be confusing. The healthcare system isn’t very transparent, so most people have no idea what they’re signing up for or how much they’ll pay.
Grier said: @Porter
How is the average person supposed to know this stuff?
It’s in your insurance terms, but most people don’t take the time to read the fine print. It’s important to understand your policy because it can make a huge difference in your bills.
Arin said: @Zev
That could be the case here if the doctor needed the labs done quickly for potential exposure. It’s not always something you can plan around.
Exactly, sometimes you don’t have the luxury of choosing a cheaper lab, especially if the hospital needs the results right away.