[Trailerpark Badass]

Hospitals quote a different price for an insured person than an uninsured person — because the insurance companies tell them NO! The hospitals, when they get an uninsured person, use it to try to make up for indigents they must treat.

That hasn't been my experience, though it is limited.

I had knee surgery a couple of years ago, and was uninsured/self-pay. I received a 40%+ reduction in the cost of services, but had to pay upfront.

The same thing happens for all my normal doctor's visits.

I would imagine that if you are uninsured and make no provisions for payment, the cost you will be quoted for non-emergency treatment would be exorbitant, as you suggest.

[ladyjane]

Your experience is different because apparently you negotiated your bill beforehand and paid up front.

Hospitals generally get about half (sometimes less) from insurance companies than what they bill individuals. They say it is because the insurance company will pay whereas hospitals typically only get a fraction of what what is billed to individuals.

Hospitals will negotiate but you get the best deals before the procedure.

Correction: you get the best deals if you tell them your name is Jose and give them a phony address.

[frankenMonkey]

You’re right.
When I’m unisured and self-pay, I get around a 40% discount on everything, office visits to births.