[devere]

Hospitals inflate their bills terribly to those without insurance, but if you are firm and resolute they will negotiate.

Try to find out what they are paid for these services by a major insurance company, such as Aetna. You will probably find that it is less than half of what they have billed you.

Don’t pay any part of the bill until they become reasonable. Then pay the whole thing.

[raybbr]

Try to find out what they are paid for these services by a major insurance company, such as Aetna.

Good luck with that! I couldn't even find out what my GP charged for an office visit - from them!

And, they have different rates for every insurance company.

The best rate would be the Medicare rate if you could find that out.

[Signalman]

Hospitals inflate their bills terribly to those without insurance, but if you are firm and resolute they will negotiate.

Of course this can work in reverse. I know of a case where lap band weight loss surgery was performed. The fee was $18,000 for someone who paid cash, without going through the insurance company. But in this case, the insurance company paid. And the bill? Over $70,000. I was amazed at the difference and a person in the medical office confirmed to me that it was true.

So the hospital has a lot of leeway to bargain, in either direction.