When you make a big-ticket purchase such as a television, appliance or computer, you likely shop around online to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Did you know you can do the same thing with health care services?
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably taken on more of the responsibility of paying for health care costs in recent years. What if we told you getting an MRI at a hospital is roughly two and a half times more costly than going to a stand-alone imaging center?
You would want to know this so you could make the most appropriate choice for yourself, not only to maintain good health, but to keep your health care costs as affordable as possible.
How do I know how much a doctor’s visit will cost?
Here’s how you can know the true costs of a doctor’s visit, test or exam before you go:
When your doctor refers you to a specialist or tells you to get a test, ask for the specific name of the procedure or service you’re going to have, including the medical billing code.
Next, shop around. Call several health care providers and tell them the procedure you need and the insurance coverage you have. They can tell you if they’re an in-network provider, and they should be able to provide an estimate of what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Some hospitals and doctors list prices right on their websites.
Finally, make a decision about your care based on the price and provider that best fit your needs.