I would like the advice of anyone who can offer it. My youngest son recently graduated from college and is not longer eligible for our hospitalization. He was recently hired by a company who has a waiting period before they add employees to their hospitalization. He lives 3 hours from us, came home on his day off to visit the family doctor becaus he has had some severe headaches and wakes up each morning nauseous or dry heaving. One of the doctor's orders was to have a CAT scan done. This will naturally fall on our shoulders to pay. Is there any type of reduced rate, etc. allowed for these type of things that anyone is familiar with?
Thanking you in advance for your help!!!

I wish I had some advice... I know in our area (Wisconsin) they're showing commercials for individual polies with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield

You can ask for a cash discount? Don't know if you'll get it... also try for some kind of help from the hospital? I would think he would be the one on the hook for payment unless you signed the form taking responsibility, so maybe that would help.

How much longer before he gets insurance? There will probably be some kind of pre-existing conditions clause, I think it's usually for things you've had diagnosed within 6 months of getting on the insurance, they won't pay claims for these things for a certain period of time (unless you've had other insurance with only a couple months gap).

I don't know how long he's been off your insurance, but he should qualify for Cobra coverage - you'd probably have to pay for all of it, but it might be worth it - especially if you are going to be having high bills. That way he wouldn't have a lapse in coverage when he starts his own insurance.

try places like american family & so on & then also try medicaid or something it sounds serious so this is something I wouldnt chance & I am all against peoplel living off the gov. but this sounds serious & he does have good reasoning for not having ins. he could at least apply for it that wont hurt & if all else fails yes most places will do cash discounts

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mom of 3 greats girls

I would call the CAT Scan center and explain the situation. Ask for the cash rate and ask if HE can makes payments. The bill really will not fall on your shoulders, it will fall on his. He can sign his own paperwork, make himself the guarantor, etc. Since he has a job they may work out a payment schedule for him...just make sure he makes those payments.

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TLJ ~ Women United in Spirit

I hate to tell you this but if the hospital knows that he is uninsured, he will actually be charged a higher rate. I would call the doctor back and tell him that your child has no insurance. Ask him if there is any way the scan can be delayed or any way he knows of to get financial assistance.

Does he live on his own? If so he may qualify for medicade or something similar if his income is not that hight. Or he may atleast be able to get low cost healthcare based off his income from your state.

when I was in the same situation, I went and got a personal insurance policy until the work one kicked in. It was pricey but the rate at least was lower since I wasn't a smoker.I don't know how the cost would fall on your shoulders, your child is an adult and responsible for his/her own charges now. When my parents didn't have insurance in the past, my mom would get a cash discount (you have to ask for it). If she wanted to pay with a credit card, the rate would be higher. She can in with CASH and settled it right then. It was the only way we could get the help we needed at a cheaper cost. Good luck

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

Thank you for the suggestions and and support. We are NOT legally responsible for this bill, but I want to make sure he goes asap and so I will take on the responsibility to pay it and have him pay us back once all is cleared. He will be on company insurance after 90 days... He has only worked for this company 5 or 6 weeks, he just graduated from college. I have spoken to our family doctor and he is pretty certain this is nerves and stress related. He lowered the dose of his allergy medicine to help counteract possible side effects from it. He installs, fixes, and trouble shoots computer problems for a large insurance company...(not health insurance.) Doc thinks the 8 - 12 hrs. a day 6 days a week is taking its tole, but must prescribe a Cat to CHA. I could not live with myself if it was not done and later found out something was present all along and early detection could have solved any problems.
I talked to my son a little earlier and said he was feeling a little better today.

I did some medical billing for a while. I was in the "self pay" department for people that did not have health insurance. ANYONE can write a letter of hardship in. I would suggest having him write a letter to the dr and/or practice that he is being charged from simply explaining that he is currently without insurance, and his income situation, and that you would like to be considered for a "professional discount". I have crappy insurance as well and have had a lot of medical problems lately, and do this myself. Recently I had an MRI which was billed out at $1200. $800 was paid for by insurance, and I was billed for the rest. I wrote a simple letter on the back side of the statement bill saying that I had limited income and could i be considered for a discount, and a payment plan for the balance. I also said that proof of income could be verified, but did not send at that time. I actually did wthis with a lot of my dr bills recently, and only one has asked for proof of income. I received a $300 reduction for this particular, and a payment plan of a minimum of $10/month. All of my dr bills are payment plans of $10/month, and I pay more when I can, but with all the drs I have to see lately sometimes all I can afford is the minimum.

Also when I was doing insurance billing, we could not send anybody to collections if they were making any kind of payment..even $5.00 a month.

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If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now, quiet! The're about to announce the lottery numbers... - Homer Simpson

You don't have to answer this but: what else did the Dr. recommend?
I would think that first should be simple blood tests would be in order. Also, an eye exam would be an easy and inexpensive diagnostic testing.

It just ticks me off that the first thing Drs. want to do is perform the most expensive diagnostic tests!

If he decides that he wants/needs the CT then a stand alone imaging center will probably be cheaper than through a hospital/clinic. Secondly, most places do offer a cash discount if it's paid up frong (up to 20%). And if paying up front is not an option, then you can usually make payment arrangements in advance.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

You should have put him on Cobra insurance before he got off your policy. You still may be able to.

I hope he's ok!

Just be careful about what tests he has done. Depending on what they find even if his insurance does kick in whatever they find will be a "pre-existing" condition. Stress sounds like it could be the culprit. 12 hour days 6 days a week just gives me a headache thinking about it.Take the Docs advice before going to the MRI or Cat scan. I feel your pain, I am in the same situation now. Adult son, recent college graduate, insurance not yet kicked in. He tore his ankle up this weekend. 3rd degree sprain according to a trainer that saw it happen. It is about 14 shades of purple and black and swollen grotesquely. I have been searching webmd,and did the RICE. So now we are at 1/2 the size it was and he can put some weight on it.

In July 2007, Greg and his brother had extensive eye exams from an opthamologist and received new glasses and contact lenses to the tune of about $600...this was with insurance. He has had a yearly physical and when not well went to University hospital at Ohio State when he was a student there.
Dr. (who is also a neighbor) wanted the CT first to rule out tumor...after that looking at organic reasons.
I see your point ... looking at a computer screen 10 to 12 hrs. a day if ther is poor lighting may also contribute.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers...We really just feel all this is precautionary, but to rule out something more serious all this must be done.

Your a good mom! I 'm glad he's feeling better. good luck with the new job!

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

I hope you are looking into getting him covered on an interim basis until his work insurance kicks in.

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Raising my baby RIGHT!!!!!!

All the cool babies are wearing cloth!