Agree, but that requires another aspect of the system to be fixed, and

that's cost transparency.

About 18 months ago, I had to have some lab work done, and with my deductible most of the cost would be coming from me. I tried to be a "responsible consumer of health care" and tried to figure out how much I'd have to pay before choosing a lab.

I won't go into all the details. The post is still out there somewhere on how much time I spent trying to figure this out, how many phone calls, follow ups, etc. It reached the point where the only reason I kept trying to find out was sheer stubbornness.

Ultimately, I got guesses from a few different places, "I don't knows" from others, and circular blame "Call the provider. No...call the insurance company....no, call the provider...." and so on. Threw my hands up and went to the place that was close to my doctor.

So until you actually have clear information on what it's going to cost, these high deductible plans just don't make any sense.

In response to this post by Tafkam Hokie

Posted: 07/24/2018 at 08:28AM

Who knows the ins and outs of our current medical system -- JoesterVT 07/23/2018 7:17PM

My blood work -- LaneRat 07/24/2018 4:30PM

Call the lab and negotiate ** -- ModerateHokie 07/24/2018 1:16PM

Our rep said never pay for 4-5 months. -- 48zip 07/23/2018 10:15PM

Odds are they coded it incorrectly... -- vthokieq 07/23/2018 8:51PM

Or it's a nonpar lab for Anthem so they denied coverage. ** -- ModerateHokie 07/24/2018 1:17PM

^^This is the right answer. ** -- hoosnowahokie 07/23/2018 11:57PM

Billing folks FREQUENTLY make mistakes -- vt_mughal 07/23/2018 8:43PM

Prostate biopsy - $600+ for pathology, co-pays, etc. -- TomTurkey 07/23/2018 8:11PM

I know this wasn't you question, but I'm on a bit of a crusade -- Tafkam Hokie 07/23/2018 7:44PM

Often the doc has no idea. He doesn't know what the negotiated rate is for -- ModerateHokie 07/24/2018 1:26PM

Good take. I approach healthcare like a consumer -- HokieR 07/24/2018 12:30AM

Absolutely, many a time my Doc reviews who my insurance is with............ -- F4EHokie 07/23/2018 7:49PM

Ask doc office if filed correctly with Anthem -- 83Hokie 07/23/2018 7:23PM

Yep, definitely ask for it to be rebilled.... -- No1Hokie 07/23/2018 8:34PM

That said med insurance is the biggest crock of sh__ ** -- 83Hokie 07/23/2018 7:25PM

Ill drink to that, even though I dont drink :) ** -- vt_mughal 07/23/2018 8:47PM

Agree, but that requires another aspect of the system to be fixed, and

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