Why is it acceptable that a 15 minute abdonminal unltrasound costs $800?

[A home for their hearts]

We don't have health insurance. My dh has worked at his current job for 3 1/2 years. The first year the health insurance premium was about $600 a month, plus a $5000 deductable. The second year the premium jumped to $800 a month with a $7500 deductable, and this year the premiums are almost $900 a month with a $15,000 deductable! We have never been ones to go to the doctor. Our dc have to be pretty sick to go. So far this year the only child we've taken to the doctor was my dd5 for her yearly check up so we could get the green light to take her to the health department for her vaccinations. Since I am expecting a have been to prenantal visits and ultrasounds but I can't probably count on one hand how many times I've been to the doctor, other than for prenatal visits, in the past five years. My dh hasn't been to the doctor in probably 10 years. So we decided a couple of years ago not to pay for health insurance. It makes not sense to pay so much into something when we never use. With such a high deductable if we had insurance they would never pay for any of our visits. So we decided it would be better to just pay as we go. Our ped. charges $49 for sick visits, and $60 for well child visits. Now that I am expecting the prices have amazed me at what is charged. My first ultrasound was around $600 dollars just for the ultrasound, and it wasn't a fancy ultrasound either, no 3D/4D images and it was a pretty quick procedure then we got a bill for the radiologist for about $200. He wasn't even in the room for the ultrasound, so I'm assuming he looked at it later. I have had 3 ultrasounds and we've always got 2 bills, one for the ultrasound and 1 from the radiologist.

 

I'm just sick by how expensive health care is in this country. I'm ready to move to a country that pays for their citizens health care.

 

Just wanted to vent a little.

[redsquirrel]

I am so sorry. I really am.

[Peach]

It's insane. I had to have a sonogram done to check on a heart murmur. About 15 minutes of scan time....1250.00. Sadly, that is cheaper than insurance premiums which we can't afford anyhow.

[momto10blessings]

Our pediatrician charges $120 for visits. My OB charges $250 total for ultrasounds with his trained tech

[texasmama]

We just received a bill for our son's stitches after a three inch gash in his leg. It was not a wound I could close on my own at home. We took him to the Urgent Care associated with the children's hospital, and they would not touch it. (Too long a cut.) So they sent us to the children's hospital ER. He received 8 double stitches (equivalent of 16 stitches), no tetanus shot or other treatment, no xrays, etc. Just stitches. The bill was $1400. We do have insurance, but it has a high deductible, about $12,000. I appreciate the care he received, but it seems exhorbitant so I am with you.

[Moxie]

If your home doesn't burn down, are you mad that you have homeowners insurance?? Insurance is for the big stuff, not doctor's visits. Going without insurance is a huge risk.

[G5052]

FYI -- We have good insurance, but are perpetually drowning because of the sheer volume of bills for one family member. With all of the deductibles, co-plays, and percentages of bills, I'm always juggling the smallest expenses.

 

People have told us that we have nothing to worry about because we have insurance. Well, 10% of a $70,000 surgery is $7,000. Better than it could be, but that type of bill will take awhile to pay down.

[A home for their hearts]

If your home doesn't burn down, are you mad that you have homeowners insurance?? Insurance is for the big stuff, not doctor's visits. Going without insurance is a huge risk.

 

 

Homeowners insurance is different, as well as car insurance. Niether of which is ridiculously expensive as health insurance. Nowhere does it state that health insurance is only for the 'big stuff', if so then doctor's visits and the like wouldn't be covered. One of the saddest things in this country, a first world country, is that people even have to worry about being able to afford health insurance for the big stuff because health care is so extremely expensive. If the cost of health care was reasonable we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

[Moxie]

Just curious, what would you say is a fair price for an ultrasound?

[mommymilkies]

I know, it's nuts. It cost us $85 to have a dentist look at my 2 yo's teeth for less than 2 minutes. She didn't even touch them! It was just to agree that her decay isn't substantial enough to warrant fillings.

[mysticmomma]

Could you qualify for pregnancy Medicaid? Are you low risk and able to reduce the number of tests/visits/ultrasounds?

[Freckles]

I just got a 4700 dollar statement prior to insurance kicking in for a trip to the ER for food poisoning. I was there about 4 hrs, had labs drawn ,and IV fluids.

I keep trying to remind myself I'm paying for the nurses, housekeepers, lab work, supplies, MD expertise and his medical malpractice insurance, hospital electricity, etc... It still stinks!

[QueenCat]

Radiologists are not normally in the room when the ultrasound is taken. Their job is to read and analyze the ultrasound, not do the procedure. Techs do that as it does not require a medical degree to perform the actual ultrasound. I don't think a total of $800 is off the wall crazy. You are paying for the time of the tech, the medical equipment, the behind the scenes needs of the "operation" (receptionist, appointment taker, utilities, etc). I would also think that it is expected that you will try to negotiate the cost down (one of the silliest practices in our healthcare industry....... please, just come up with a fair cost and charge it-- and yes, I understand why it is done that way).

[A home for their hearts]

Could you qualify for pregnancy Medicaid? Are you low risk and able to reduce the number of tests/visits/ultrasounds?

 

I don't qualify for pregnancy medicaid. I turn 35 one month before I deliver so I am border line high risk. The doctor has mentioned doing an ultrasound at 32 weeks to check size because of my age. I may deny that one. There is a lot of testing they do for women of advance maternal age that I've already refused to have. I only agreed to the routine blood work, which was still crazy expensive, urine testing at each visit, and the sugar test for gestational diabetes. Unbeknownst to me at my first visit they sent my urine sample in to check for 2 STD's, I can't remember which ones they were. The cost for that was $300. If I had been told they wanted to do that I would have said no. I'm in a momogamous marriage so that is one test we could have done without. ;)

[Murphy101]

I paid cash for my ultrasounds which lasted about 20-30 minutes and were fairly detailed. $250 total. I felt that was expensive but reasonable.

 

Have you called around to other facilities to ask their prices? It can vary widely. It's worth calling around.

 

(((Hugs)))

[A home for their hearts]

Radiologists are not normally in the room when the ultrasound is taken. Their job is to read and analyze the ultrasound, not do the procedure. Techs do that as it does not require a medical degree to perform the actual ultrasound. I don't think a total of $800 is off the wall crazy. You are paying for the time of the tech, the medical equipment, the behind the scenes needs of the "operation" (receptionist, appointment taker, utilities, etc). I would also think that it is expected that you will try to negotiate the cost down (one of the silliest practices in our healthcare industry....... please, just come up with a fair cost and charge it-- and yes, I understand why it is done that way).

 

Hmm I've never heard of being able to actually negotiate the cost of a procedure. I think I would get some funny looks if I tried to do that.

[QueenCat]

 

Hmm I've never heard of being able to actually negotiate the cost of a procedure. I think I would get some funny looks if I tried to do that.

 

If you had it done at a hospital or large medical center, they are used to it. Not for the doctor's fee, but for the procedure cost. Some negotiate, some don't but they are used to being asked.

[JumpyTheFrog]

It seems like a lot of health care costs are "fake prices" like the "original price" of jewelry that is perpetually on sale at department stores. The hospital says they charge X (the fake price) because they know insurance will only pay 1/10 of X. Cash patients may wind up paying more than 1/10 X, even though I'm sure even the insurance rate, the procedure is still profitable.

 

If Congress wanted to help, I'd like a law passed that all health care costs need to be clearly stated in advance and that both cash customers and insurance companies pay that price. For things like surgeries, a price range would be listed, based on the range of complexity and complications that could happen. And before you say it's impossible, I read about a doctor owned surgical center where all prices are listed on the website and there are no extra charges for anything. Yes, I understand that don't do emergency surgeries, but if they can list the total cost (cash price - they don't take insurance) for routine, non-emergency surgeries, so can hospitals.

[Murphy101]

No, you would not get funny looks! And even if you did? I think carving $ of the bill is well worth the expense of a some funny looks.

 

The worst that could happen is they would say heck no with a haughty insulted tone and you could take your business elsewhere.

 

Call and ask point blank, but politely of course, what the cost for a cash paying no insurance standard whatever week ultrasound is and explain that you have limited funds.

 

Like I said, the worst that could happen is they'd say no and you'd be no worse off.

 

Hmm I've never heard of being able to actually negotiate the cost of a procedure. I think I would get some funny looks if I tried to do that.

[Mergath]

If your home doesn't burn down, are you mad that you have homeowners insurance?? Insurance is for the big stuff, not doctor's visits. Going without insurance is a huge risk.

 

Even with insurance, most people end up having to declare bankruptcy after the "big stuff."

[Cricket]

We've been without medical insurance for about 12 years, with one year of Medicaid in there. It isn't a question of taking a risk. It is the fact that it would take all of our monthly income to have a policy. That isn't a choice. A few months ago we were able to get insurance for our kids through Medicaid. I was so thankful for that, especially with three of our kids playing sports.

 

If you are paying cash, always ask how much it is before the procedure. I always ask if they give a discount if we pay the full amount upfront in cash. We keep some cash on hand so we can do that. Most places will give a discount. And call around to compare prices! I paid about $200 each for my ultrasounds with my last two kids. The nice thing about paying cash is that as long as you have a doctor's order, you can go anywhere for the test. You aren't required to use a preapproved place.

 

ETA: My dh just had an emergency root canal. It was a two day procedure. The dentist wanted $1100 with the cash discount. My dh told him he only had $900 so the dentist said that would be fine. It never hurts to ask!

[lovinmomma]

Here's another crazy aspect. At our hospital those without insurance get a HUGE discount. Huge. In addition, if you qualify you can get your bill reduced significantly on top of that. I had a procedurce done that cost about $1250. After my discount for not having ins (I didn't at the time) and then my finacial deduction my bill was $75. I was extremely glad. However, recently I took a job that offered medical insurance. The deductible is very high (think $3000). I no longer qualify for either discount because I have insurance, so it is always cheaper for me to NOT have insurance. Now I have to pay the entire amount out of pocket plus my monthly dues. YEA! ;)

[lea1]

I have found that many doctors and medical places do have a different price for cash paying customers. So I don't think people would think it is odd to ask if there is a different price for cash paying patients. It is definitely worth a try. I have saved a lot of money that way.

 

The other thing is that you might want to consider searching for doctors in your area who do not take insurance. This is becoming more common these days. These docs do not have the overhead required to process all of the insurance claims and wait forever to get their money so they normally charge lower prices and they frequently list many of their charges up front so you can do some comparison shopping. It is definitely worth looking into. My dh started such a practice in our town about a year ago and he charges $55 for a normal office visit. He sets aside 1 hour appointment slots for new patients and 30 minutes for returning patients. He also receives discounts for lab work and passes a good deal of that amount on to his patients. Look around, search the web and you might find some of these kinds of practices in your area.

[lovinmomma]

Back when I was much better off financially we had to pay for my daughter's birth out of pocket. No ins. The bill was for $17k. Because we paid cash we got it down to $12K.

[G5052]

Hmm I've never heard of being able to actually negotiate the cost of a procedure. I think I would get some funny looks if I tried to do that.

 

 

It never hurts to ask. We had an out-of-network surgery with the only guy in the country truly capable of doing the surgery, although insurance disagreed with that (a horse is a horse -- right?). I bit my lip and figured we'd not regret having the very best even if it meant paying on it for five years. I wrote a letter and then called, and the surgeon gave us 50% in exchange for letting him use the scans in his seminars and articles.

 

Another time I actually asked a doctor's office for a "volume discount" because we were coming every two weeks. They knocked off 25%.

 

Of course I've been turned down a lot too, but not bad pay for the time involved.

[G5052]

Even with insurance, most people end up having to declare bankruptcy after the "big stuff."

 

 

Yes, sometimes the catastrophic doesn't kick in until you've paid $10,000 out-of-pocket *excluding* co-pays and deductibles. That's a lot of bills.

[GSOchristie]

It seems like a lot of health care costs are "fake prices" like the "original price" of jewelry that is perpetually on sale at department stores. The hospital says they charge X (the fake price) because they know insurance will only pay 1/10 of X. Cash patients may wind up paying more than 1/10 X, even though I'm sure even the insurance rate, the procedure is still profitable.

 

If Congress wanted to help, I'd like a law passed that all health care costs need to be clearly stated in advance and that both cash customers and insurance companies pay that price. For things like surgeries, a price range would be listed, based on the range of complexity and complications that could happen. And before you say it's impossible, I read about a doctor owned surgical center where all prices are listed on the website and there are no extra charges for anything. Yes, I understand that don't do emergency surgeries, but if they can list the total cost (cash price - they don't take insurance) for routine, non-emergency surgeries, so can hospitals.

 

 

This. I had to have several tests done on my eye because there was a possibility, though slim, of my retina beginning to detach. We called the facility and had a detailed conversation about the cost to decide if I was going to have the testing done. They broke it down and quoted us $285 for one procedure and $250 for another. We decided it was worth it to have it checked out for a little over $500. We got the final bill last month, $1100! They did procedures that the original ophthamalogist didn't order, like a photograph that cost $250, but I didn't know wasn't included in the testing he had ordered. There were other charges they added, as well. If I had known it was going to be that expensive, I would have never done it because the chance was so small that something was wrong. The best part? The retina specialist I saw said that the equipment they were using to look at my eye was so new and the fact that they never saw "healthy" eyes could mean that lots of people could have the abnormality I have, they just don't see it :/. So $1100 to have inconclusive findings.

[Little Women]

You may already know this, but in case you don't--if cost is a factor, do not go to the hospital for a proceedure unless it's really necessary. (This is true even if you have insurance!) Free-standing facilities are much, much cheaper for just about anything.

 

MRIs, sleep studies, etc may cost 1/3 as much at an independent clinic, and for those who have insurance, insurance may also pay substantially more. Eg, I called around a few years ago when I had a sleep study. If I got it done at the local hospital, it would cost $3000, of which the insurance company would pay 80%. If it was done at the free-standing clinic, it would cost $1000, which they would pay 100% of! The insurance company saved enough money that they were happy to give me the incentive to go the cheaper place, and I was happy to do it!

 

It can be a pain to find out what the proceedure codes will be, then call several places for a quote. But it was definitely worth it.

[TCB]

Maybe you could try having any lab work you need at the local Health Dept. I got the order from my doctor and then went to the health dept and it was a fraction of the cost. I had to wait a few days for the result, but that was no problem. I hate the way you can't find out the cost of a procedure, test etc before you have it done, even one that is completely predictable. What else would anyone ever buy without knowing the price first. I think the system stinks. If prices were true prices and know up front we might actually be able to afford it. We too are in the lovely position of having poor insurance with a high deductable that makes it virtually impossible for us to go to the doctor unless we are in danger of dying. That does not seem like a 1st world health system to me.

[A home for their hearts]

The doctor I am going to is an employee of our local hospital, all the obgyns in my area are. To find another doctor would mean traveling 40minutes to an hour to a bigger city where I'm sure costs would be higher. Since the doctor is through the hospital all labs, ultrasounds, etc are done through the hospital. I've never had a radiologist look at an ultrasound before (this is the first time we are using a local doctor). All my other obs, either had an ultrasound and tech in their office or there was one in the office complex, I've never had to go to a hospital or an ultrasound before. With my previous pregnancies we had insurance and I don't remember the cost of the ultrasounds but I don't recall them being anywhere near $800.

 

There is a lay midwife in our area that I thought briefly about seeing. However I've had two previous shouldar dystocia and just don't feel safe delivering outside of a hospital setting. Supposedly her fee for prenatal care and delivery is less than $1000!

[Dahliarw]

I can guarantee you that if insurance were paying for the u/s they would pay maybe $150. I would most definitely ask for a discount - they charge cash people more because they can - no insurance would pay that much, the have their own "negotiated rates."

[Random]

We've been without medical insurance for about 12 years, with one year of Medicaid in there. It isn't a question of taking a risk. It is the fact that it would take all of our monthly income to have a policy. That isn't a choice. A few months ago we were able to get insurance for our kids through Medicaid. I was so thankful for that, especially with three of our kids playing sports.

 

If you are paying cash, always ask how much it is before the procedure. I always ask if they give a discount if we pay the full amount upfront in cash. We keep some cash on hand so we can do that. Most places will give a discount. And call around to compare prices! I paid about $200 each for my ultrasounds with my last two kids. The nice thing about paying cash is that as long as you have a doctor's order, you can go anywhere for the test. You aren't required to use a preapproved place.

 

ETA: My dh just had an emergency root canal. It was a two day procedure. The dentist wanted $1100 with the cash discount. My dh told him he only had $900 so the dentist said that would be fine. It never hurts to ask!

 

We are in a similar situation. We've found most facilities are willing to work with us, when we need care. The key for me has been to always ask about price and payment before the procedure or visit. Always. And, I ask if there is a cash-pay discount. Most docs in my area do give me a discount when they hear we'll pay in full immediately.

 

And another vote for calling around. My husband was quoted $3000 for an MRI, locally. A hospital 60 miles away charged $1200.

 

For my maternity care, the local hospital charges $7000 for a 24 hr stay. A hospital about 60 miles away is $2300 for a 24 hr stay. Both offer high quality care. You just never know! It's always worth asking, especially if you don't have insurance. You are *free* to go where ever you want to.

[BakersDozen]

 

The doctor I am going to is an employee of our local hospital, all the obgyns in my area are. To find another doctor would mean traveling 40minutes to an hour to a bigger city where I'm sure costs would be higher. Since the doctor is through the hospital all labs, ultrasounds, etc are done through the hospital.

A long drive would cost less, I'm sure, than paying higher fees/bills locally if you are forced to use the hospital facility. It would be worth calling doctors/imaging centers in the bigger city just to see what they would offer (IMO, of course).

[Heather in Neverland]

Moving to another country is not a bad idea!

 

I have heart issues. I've been doing well for a while but recently started having problems again.

 

I called a cardiologist and got in the same day. I had an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a stress test all on the spot that day. I got the results of all those tests from the cardiologist along with copies in hand. I also got a new prescription for heart meds and got the meds themselves. I did all of this in a total of three hours.

 

It cost $300 USD total with no insurance.

 

I won't pretend to know how this country pulls it off but they do. Excellent, affordable care.

 

 

[FaithManor]

 

Yes, sometimes the catastrophic doesn't kick in until you've paid $10,000 out-of-pocket *excluding* co-pays and deductibles. That's a lot of bills.

 

 

It's worse than that around here. The insurance companies do a HUGE song and dance about "disallowed expenses". They make up so much crap..."we don't cover this, we don't cover that, we believe that test was unnecessary, you weren't preapproved for that procedure (yeah, no joke I was unconscious you moron), etc." It is absolutely insane. The insurance lobby has a stranglehold on state government in Michigan. So, you may have a $100,000.00 bill and they only cover $10,000.00. Yes, you read that right. My dad had his quadruple bypass and his lung cancer surgery on medicaid/medicare and the total my parents will pay out of pocket will be in the $600.00 - 700.00 range...maybe at absolute most, $1000.00. They pay maybe $250.00 a month on their premium.

 

Our insurance costs $16,000.00 a year and dh's employer is very generous paying 80% of our premium. The deductible is only $2000.00. However, we also know just how much they manage to NOT pay for when the bills come in, so if dh or I needed the kind of healthcare my dad needed, we would just stay home and die. I'm not kidding. We would not be able to have those procedures and recovery care. We could get to some of his retirement funds, but not all of them such as his company pension. So, we wouldn't be able to cover it in cash and the hospitals around here ask up front if you are going to be able to write a check for the entire amount. If you say no, then you aren't going to get those surgeries. Oh, if you come in through the ER and are half dead, the ER staff will work their butts off to save your life, hang the costs. But, the minute the hospital can turf you back to the street WITHOUT the surgery or meds you need, you will be tossed. Their cost of operations is absolutely huge and so many people are underinsured or uninsured that the ER gets used FOR EVERYTHING and they recover not one dime. So they can't afford to have a bunch of people paying only $10.00 or $20.00 or $100.00 a month on a $20,000.00 bill. Therefore, you don't get real help. Patch you up because state law requires them to do so, yes. Real treatment for major health problems???? No unless you have government health insurance, are independently wealthy, or have a cadillac insurance plan like the executives have. No one I know under 62 receives medical care for their chronic health issues uninsured or insured.

 

Dd's surgery came in at $13,000.00. She was in the hospital for 48 hrs. and then checked herself out AMA in order to keep the bill down. She has a $5000.00 deductible, but the interesting thing was that since she works for an EMS company from that area, she received multiple discounts for being "one of ours". She will only pay $2500.00. She is thrilled.

 

OP, I am sorry because YIKES, I do get it. :grouphug:

 

Faith

[Mommyof4ks]

 

 

Hmm I've never heard of being able to actually negotiate the cost of a procedure. I think I would get some funny looks if I tried to do that.

 

 

Nope, you will not get funny looks. I too would negotiate the rates of procedures or even call around for cheaper tests. The major hospital in our area costs 2-3 times the amount that the smaller clinics do for the same procedures. Because you do not have insurance you are not obligated to stick to having everything done at one place for the pregnancy. Insurance rates are going up, taxes are going to go up, and more people will be in this position. We are going to have to start shopping for the best prices in healthcare the way we do for shoes. IMO the only good thing coming out of this new healthcare law is that it requires medical facilities to tell you up front how much their services will cost, and that has made it easier to shop for the best deals. I saved $900 on a test last year between shopping and negotiating. :)

[FaithManor]

Moving to another country is not a bad idea!

 

I have heart issues. I've been doing well for a while but recently started having problems again.

 

I called a cardiologist and got in the same day. I had an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a stress test all on the spot that day. I got the results of all those tests from the cardiologist along with copies in hand. I also got a new prescription for heart meds and got the meds themselves. I did all of this in a total of three hours.

 

It cost $300 USD total with no insurance.

 

I won't pretend to know how this country pulls it off but they do. Excellent, affordable care.

 

 

 

 

Ds1 has a heart condition and if he ever needs surgery, we've already scoped out an excellent hospital in Thailand to do the job. $20,000.00 give or take plus travel expenses and for that, we'd rent a placefor 30-60 days instead of staying in hotels. Same surgery here - $300,000.00. The Thai hospital has a lower mortality rate for that procedure too! We'd take it out of the 401K and pay cash, forget the stupid American insurance.

 

We are considering retiring to Costa Rica or Belize because the cash system for healthcare is quite good and affordable for us. Dh will never "retire" in the traditional sense and there is plenty of good works/charitable work we can be involved in, things that dh can do to supplement our income, and actually, quite a bit that I can do that way as well. Once my parents are gone, I don't see us staying in this country.

 

Faith

[TammyinTN]

Medical and dental cost are just crazy! :scared:

[Laura Corin]

 

 

 

We are considering retiring to Costa Rica or Belize because the cash system for healthcare is quite good and affordable for us. Dh will never "retire" in the traditional sense and there is plenty of good works/charitable work we can be involved in, things that dh can do to supplement our income, and actually, quite a bit that I can do that way as well. Once my parents are gone, I don't see us staying in this country.

 

Faith

 

Just a caveat: many retired Brits moved to Spain in the 1970s/1980s because the cost of living was lower and their pensions went further. Spain then became more developed and the COL rose enormousely; the pensioners found themselves struggling to afford living there and paying for medical expenses. They had sold their houses in the UK and couldn't afford to move back.

 

I don't know enough about the situation in the countries you mention to know if this is a risk, but it's just a thought....

 

L

[Amy in NH]

I haven't read the other responses, but I have two thoughts.

 

1. You may qualify for Medicaid for yourself (while pregnant) and your children.

2. Why get an ultrasound at all? I had one during each of my first three pregnancies, but opted not to with my last because there was just no reason.

 

If I were in your situation I wouldn't be going for the expensive but unnecessary. I would only be seeking bare-bones care.

[fairfarmhand]

We just received a bill for our son's stitches after a three inch gash in his leg. It was not a wound I could close on my own at home. We took him to the Urgent Care associated with the children's hospital, and they would not touch it. (Too long a cut.) So they sent us to the children's hospital ER. He received 8 double stitches (equivalent of 16 stitches), no tetanus shot or other treatment, no xrays, etc. Just stitches. The bill was $1400. We do have insurance, but it has a high deductible, about $12,000. I appreciate the care he received, but it seems exhorbitant so I am with you.

 

that was our experience too. We didn;'t even get stitches. They just glued my dd's chin up. The dr. spent 10 minutes with us and got 750 bucks.

If you had it done at a hospital or large medical center, they are used to it. Not for the doctor's fee, but for the procedure cost. Some negotiate, some don't but they are used to being asked.

 

yes, do this. Also make sure that tehy know that you are uninsured. They often will help you out on the bill if they know that you're paying out of pocket.

[DawnM]

I am floored by medical costs. I was in the hospital recently. Not all costs have come in yet, but JUST the ER visit is up to $9,000. The CT scan alone was billed at $6,600. Insurance negotiated it down to about $4,000, but that is insane.

[SailorMom]

You are paying for/towards:

 

Training and salary of Ultrasound tech

Radiologist to read the ultrasound after your appointment

Facilities lease and insurance

Electricity

Front office staff

Records keeping and computer systems

Ultrasound machinery, upkeep, replacement, cleaning

Malpractice insurance

Janitorial services

[A home for their hearts]

I haven't read the other responses, but I have two thoughts.

 

1. You may qualify for Medicaid for yourself (while pregnant) and your children.

2. Why get an ultrasound at all? I had one during each of my first three pregnancies, but opted not to with my last because there was just no reason.

 

If I were in your situation I wouldn't be going for the expensive but unnecessary. I would only be seeking bare-bones care.

 

 

I do not qualify for Medicaid. I've had 3 ultrasounds, the first was to date the pregnancy in the first trimester, the second one was because they couldn't find a heartbeat (that one was my choice because I needed to know if the baby was gone) and then the third was the typical second semester ultrasound to check anatomy. My OB mentioned having an ultrasound at 32 weeks to check the size because of my age, I'm 34 but will be 35 for a month before I deliver so that puts me border line advanced maternal age this was the reason she gave for an ultrasound at 32 weeks. I will probably refuse that one. Then because I've had 2 previous shoulder dystocia I will probably have one at 38 weeks to check the size of the baby to help determine if I can delivery naturally or if I'll need a C-section.

 

 

I really can't do the shopping around that everyone is mentioning. There is only one hospital and 3 obgyn's in the whole county that will live in. There are no free standing clinics here. Everything is run by the hospital. We are about an hour away from the capital of the state we live in and I know that care there is more expensive then it is here, that is way we choose to stay local. We really don't have any better options.

[Heather in Neverland]

You are paying for/towards:

 

Training and salary of Ultrasound tech

Radiologist to read the ultrasound after your appointment

Facilities lease and insurance

Electricity

Front office staff

Records keeping and computer systems

Ultrasound machinery, upkeep, replacement, cleaning

Malpractice insurance

Janitorial services

 

 

True. But so is the hospital where I went. How can they do an ultrasound for $70?

 

 

[Laura Corin]

True. But so is the hospital where I went. How can they do an ultrasound for $70?

 

 

Lower costs in general: rent, wages, university fees, etc. Probably less of a tradition of massive malpractice payouts too.

 

L

[Moxie]

Moving to another country is not a bad idea!

 

I have heart issues. I've been doing well for a while but recently started having problems again.

 

I called a cardiologist and got in the same day. I had an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a stress test all on the spot that day. I got the results of all those tests from the cardiologist along with copies in hand. I also got a new prescription for heart meds and got the meds themselves. I did all of this in a total of three hours.

 

It cost $300 USD total with no insurance.

 

I won't pretend to know how this country pulls it off but they do. Excellent, affordable care.

 

IMO, they are able to afford it because the US has done the expensive part--researching the diseases, developing the drugs, designing the machines. I'm NOT saying healthcare in the US is perfect--I just don't think that there is any easy, quick or simple solution to our healthcare problems. We cannot look to any other country and say "let's do it just like them" because we are not just like any other country.

[Guest submarines]

In countries with "free" healthcare, ultrasounds aren't actually recommended, unless there are certain health issues. Some providers suggest one scan, at 18 weeks. Personally, I think it is wise to avoid prenatal ultrasounds as the effects aren't well documented.

 

I really don't get the concept that everyone somehow "deserves" an ultrasound. It is a pretty invasive procedure.

 

OP, if your ultrasounds are medically necessary, I'm sorry you don't have coverage. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Murphy101]

I don't consider an ultrasound "invasive" and I do see value in at least one in the second trimester bc we now have the opportunity to do in utereo surgery to remedy some issues, can know to have certain specialist at the birth for known problems that might need critical treatment, or other helpful things to know.

 

20 years ago? I woud have agreed ultrasounds were mostly unhelpful bc any bad news was really just an added stress that couldn't be helped. But that's not the case now. There are many things an ultrasound can discover that the parents/drs can take positive steps to make for a better outcome.

[dirty ethel rackham]

 

I do not qualify for Medicaid. I've had 3 ultrasounds, the first was to date the pregnancy in the first trimester, the second one was because they couldn't find a heartbeat (that one was my choice because I needed to know if the baby was gone) and then the third was the typical second semester ultrasound to check anatomy. My OB mentioned having an ultrasound at 32 weeks to check the size because of my age, I'm 34 but will be 35 for a month before I deliver so that puts me border line advanced maternal age this was the reason she gave for an ultrasound at 32 weeks. I will probably refuse that one. Then because I've had 2 previous shoulder dystocia I will probably have one at 38 weeks to check the size of the baby to help determine if I can delivery naturally or if I'll need a C-section.

 

 

I really can't do the shopping around that everyone is mentioning. There is only one hospital and 3 obgyn's in the whole county that will live in. There are no free standing clinics here. Everything is run by the hospital. We are about an hour away from the capital of the state we live in and I know that care there is more expensive then it is here, that is way we choose to stay local. We really don't have any better options.

 

 

3 ultrasounds in one pregnancy? With no prenatal risk factors? That is an obscene use of medical technology. None of the ultrasounds that you have mentioned are medically necessary. The only one I probably would have agreed to would have been the one to check for a heartbeat (only if there had been one before.) Unless one is truly unsure of LMP, there is no need to do an U/S to check for dates. They go by LMP. The US does not add any useful information. The anatomy check is not necessary as it does not improve outcomes. (Lots of false positives and they miss stuff too.) You are not an elderly premip so just having an US for that is not improving outcomes. And PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't have one to check for size. They are notoriously inaccurate and you could end up getting induced or getting a c-section unnecessarily. Shoulder dystocia does not correlate well to size of the baby. There are many things you can do during pregnancy and during labor to reduce your risk for this. If you do some research on the use of sonograms in pregnancy, you will find that, in healthy women without other risk factors (being 34 is not a risk factor like they say it is), there is no health benefit to mom or baby. Please take a look at Childbirth Connection to see what the scientific evidence really says about using sonograms.

 

If I were with this doctor, I would hightail it out of there and find someone else who would not scaremonger me in to taking unnecessary and very expensive tests.