Surgery/dr bill seems insanely low

[XanaDUer2]

I have only traditional Medicare. I had my gallbladder removed 20 days ago. I was told by 3 reps the Dr cost AND surgery cost only $130 about. I had to pay $500 facility fee. Surgery was not in hospital but outpatient facility.

How can even common surgery Dr fee be that low? I can't seem to get an answer other than that's the cost. America is not like this. I pay 20%. I get it. But that low? I'm worried I'll get a big shock later

[Turbineguy]

1. I paid about $1700 two years ago.

But spent 5 days in the hospital.

They can do a gallbladder in a few minutes.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Ill have to pay the anesthesiologist

And for leg compressotrs. It just seems $130 for surgery in America is insanely low

[Turbineguy]

3. Well, I also got the "alternative" bill

it was $81,000 if you can't afford insurance and $17,000 if you can.

[XanaDUer2]

4. What's the alternative bill?

You have traditional Medicare?

I mean I'm thrilled if that's the cost but it just seems too low for the US

[Turbineguy]

10. I got the sum that the hospital sent to the insurers,

$81,000. The $17,000 is what they actually paid and my share was $1700. And I have Medicare/Premera Medicare Advantage.

It could be that your insurance is more generous when you use a surgical center rather than a hospital.

[bernieb]

5. Medicare costs

My husband had his shoulder replaced. It was $125 for everything. We were shocked. He's had it for 10 years with no problems. I had cataract surgery (outpatient) on both eyes (separately) and never paid a dime. What they told me was they can't charge more than the normal going rate and Medicare covers that. They even paid for my first pair of glasses after surgery and three check-ups with my regular eye doctor. I wish everyone had Medicare, no matter their age.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. My Medicare paid for my cataract surgery too

But I had to pay a $900 “facility fee”.

[XanaDUer2]

8. I had to pay 500

That was a surprise

[Silent Type]

7. Sounds like that is your share. Medicare likely paid the surgeon $500 or so and the facility got around $2,000.

[XanaDUer2]

9. $130.16

I don't see it itemized on yhe bill, which Id like

[Laurelin]

11. I had to buy my own Tylenol

Otherwise my gall bladder surgery was completely covered. I live in the Netherlands these days. I had to go to the hospital for a different reason yesterday and when I was sent home I strolled out the door, having signed no papers promising payment and paying nothing. It occurred to me that now I think that's normal. When I first moved here I tried to pay. They thought I was nuts.

XanaDUer, I hope you're recovering well from your surgery. I remember it took me a few weeks before I stopped having some pain and felt normal again. Take care of yourself.

[XanaDUer2]

12. TY

[XanaDUer2]

13. I owed the practice 151.00 Drs fee

Paid with credit card. Awaiting bill from anesthesia and another facility fee. Couldn't reach billing in the surgical center. The hospital had the price in the portal transpatent. This is so frustating