What Do Health Providers Charge/Cost? (5/9/2007)
I was told that I could find out what physicians charge for services. This would be helpful to me when calculating my medical expenses each year. How do I find out this information?
There is no general information currently available to find out what physicians charge. However, if you live in certain geographic areas, some of the major insurers and medical practices are making this information available to their insured subscribers. For instance, in Kansas City, Aetna will begin posting physician rates it pays to area doctors on its web site. Call you health insurer and see if this information is available to consumers yet. We will continue to monitor this situation and pass on the information to you as it becomes available.
Add Comment |
Permalink |
Previous |
Next 
Looking at gross charges is highly misleading.
Factoring in Insurance discounts. Overheads approximating 65-70% of revenues and most Primary care doctors are coming out less than 50 bucks an hour. Given the debt service payments for medical school and the lost opportunity costs of 12 extra years of school/training when earnings are foregone, you are looking at reimbursement rates that are pathetic to say the least. No wonder young doctors look at this career as UNVIABLE. Not undesirable, but unviable, that is the distinction we need to be making.
Primary care physicians need to be paid better by insurance, that is provided we see their role as needed in society. IF we don't, then we can continue along the same road, it will get us to that point.
9/1/2008 9:56:27 AM
physician rates vs. reimbursement rates
You can always call your physician and ask what the cost for a given service would be if you paid out of pocket. That information may be particularly enlightening once you find out what your insurance company (and others) pay the same physician for the same service.
I worked in billing for a small group of physicians for a little while -- most of them charged about $170/hr, insurance reimbursed them anywhere from $40-60/hr. Add your $20 copay and the physician is coming out at $60-80/hr.
Mechanics at most car dealerships make on average $80/hr.
RL 9/22/2007 9:50:51 AM
|
Permalink |
Previous |
Next