How much do specialty doctors charge if the patient has NO insurance?

[onlyj]

My mom has an appointment today with a proctologist (colon and rectal doctor). She has no insurance since we cannot afford the coverage. She really needs to visit the specialist. I know the doctor works with two other doctors in the office. I have a feeling it's going to cost more than $300 and I'm just afraid because this is a lot of money. Do you know how much they will maybe charge my mom? Do specialty doctors have a payment plan if we cannot pay the full amount today?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

It just depends on the office. Every office sets their own rates and what policies they follow. I would call them and ask them.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

It would have been best to have called in advance and explained your situation to see what arrangements could be made for payment rather than wait for the appointment. There is a possibility they might not see your mother without some form of payment arrangements in place already. I used to work for a gi specialist and he would sometimes see patients who had arranged to make monthly payments, but I don't think they HAVE to see you if you have no means to pay. The ED is a different deal, they must see you but a private specialist's office does not have the same obligation I don't believe. To save any embarrassment, call them before the appointment and see what they can do for you. I would hate for you to turn up only to be turned away.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Some doctors offer reduced fees to cash-paying patients due to (1) the immediate cash flow generated in the medical office and (2) it saves them money to not have to process insurance claims. Ask the doctor's office beforehand if they offer any discounts to cash patients.

[TonieRN]

Call and ask....be honest. Talk to either the manager or the biller. Most offices will work with you. Just make sure if a payment plan is set up, you follow thru.

blessings

tonie

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Yeah I would call and explain the situation BEFORE going. It's much easier than dealing with it after the fact. Almost all physicians offices will work with you. Most will offer you the same rate they get from the insurance companies. Which is pennies on the dollar from what they bill for.

[SPJJMommy]

I agree with TheCommuter, call beforehand and ask if they offer a discounted rate if you pay cash. I used to pay cash for my children's pediatric appts (we had insurance, but this particular office didn't accept it and we LOVED the pediatrician). As cash paying patients, we were charged about a third of what a regular office visit cost. It actually came out to be quite affordable!

Also, don't forget that labs and other tests can be quite pricey as well. Make sure you know ahead of time what the various costs are before giving consent to have the tests performed. I had this happen to me once... paid a very affordable rate of $75 to see the doc, he took some swabs (to confirm that I had strep throat, even though he treated me for it well before the labs confirmed it was strep) and a few weeks later a $400 bill arrived from the lab. =/

[caliotter3]

Another reason to call before the appointment is to gain privacy. You don't have to discuss your financial affairs within earshot of other patients in the waiting room.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Some doctors offer reduced fees to cash-paying patients due to (1) the immediate cash flow generated in the medical office and (2) it saves them money to not have to process insurance claims. Ask the doctor's office beforehand if they offer any discounts to cash patients.

I was under the impression that legally doctors can't charge a non insurance patient LESS than what they charge the insurance companies (this is before the discount) since that would mean they were charging insurance companies more just because someone had insurance.

Having said that I believe I always see that specialists charge $400 for a comphrensive first exam

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

An alternative, if it becomes a problem with this specialist, is to go to the nearest teaching-hospital. Faculty and Resident clinics have a pro-rated and/or charity scale.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Rob is right, they do have a scale based on income. I know that just for me to see a general surgeon this winter, it would have been $280 just for the consult.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

When I had really bad insurance and I needed to see a doctor, I always asked what my options were for cash payment, in case my insurance didn't pay for whatever I needed. Most places had some kind of income-based fee for non-insured patients.