I guess this is just a commentary on how crazy our healthcare system has become.

Now that I have no W2 job, I also have no health insurance.

But, I had already scheduled a preventive check-up with a physician. So, I called to see what it would cost if I paid cash and was told - They won't take cash! Only insurance.

Not for any price?! Like if a millionaire wants to be treated, and money is no problem - nope! out of luck! CRAZY!

I guess I'll just have to stay healthy a little longer! : )

Test the "debt paid in full if cash refused" approach, although good luck. Healthcare is the 4th branch of government.

Time for a new doctor. That doctor never had YOUR best interest in mind, if care was all about insurance.

I could see where there might be laws about accepting large amounts of cash, just like we have to 1099 contractors that are paid over certain amounts. But then, the HSA debit card should be able to provide the necessary paper trail, or so, I would think.

In some states, doctors are allowed to offer a wellness plan. Xx amount each month, certain types of visits are all covered, certain tests covered. To my way of thinking, that, plus a catastrophic policy should be a great plan for most of us.

One of my sisters-in-law shared her idea a decade ago: Health insurance should be like life insurance. If you buy it young, lower premiums. You own the same policy your whole life - no matter where you live or work. Buy more if / when you need it (such as prenatal when you are 18-40 years old, then drop it for eye career something else instead). Like a cafeteria type plan.

She's not crazy - sounds pretty good. Combine that with KNOWING the PRICE of healthcare BEFORE you get the treatments, and we'd be onto something!

DJ, I had bills for 10's of thousands last summer wiped away like nothing when challenged by insurance companies.

I've also had an ambulance ride wiped cleaned.

My aunt had a $200,000 heart emergency bill written off down to $9,000.

It's so far out of control that I never feel bad seeing hospitals write bills off and I never hold medical collections against tenants if I see it in their credit.

NE, care to explain how you did that?

DJ, I can't speak for my Aunt's bill. My uncle and I were discussing medical billing on a hike one day and he was telling me about his experience. My ambulance bill was several years ago. I blew up my face at a flip house and had to go to the hospital. The 1st hospital was coded as an emergency and the 2nd hospital was coded as an emergency, but the transport between hospitals was coded as a non-emergency transport. Insurance kicked it out and I started going back and forth with them and the ambulance company about it. Their argument was that it wasn't an emergency transport. My argument was that it was an emergency room visit and then a transport to a burn center that was coded as an emergency, how was it possible that it wasn't an emergency transport?

My wife had an MRI last summer for a female thing and had a gigantic bill from that.

The doctor ordered it and it was done. The insurance required approval of the procedure before the dr ordered it, wouldn't pay. Went back and forth a bit and the hospital wrote it off completely.

Even small bills I will haggle with them.

Even the tests doctors prescribe should be questioned, IMO. I have a benign tumor, my specialist was wanting to have an MRI every year. First off, I price shopped, and found prices ranged from $600 on the low end to $3k on the high end. And then, I talked my doctor into an every couple of years thing for the mri, as the lifetime limit was getting whittled down rather quickly over something that really wasn’t well known ( to 6X6’s point of experimenting on insurance/ payer’s dime,) And not known to be all that dangerous. She agreed, as there is a simple blood test that can indicate if the tumor might be growing. So, now, we do the blood test every few years, I haven’t had the MRI for many years.

Thing is, before invention of the MRI machine, the type of tumor I have usually wasn’t able to even be diagnosed. And it’s not ever life -threatening. So, a lot of fuss for nothing. Kind of a, well, we have an MRI machine, let’s use it!

I'm betting that what they really meant was that they won't take patients unless they have insurance. What recourse do they have (really) if they see you and then you walk away? If you really like the doctor, ask if you can prepay in cash and see what they have to say.

...the x-ray machines used to detect cancer can actually cause it. ...

and the radiation treating breast cancer can cause lung cancer 15 years down the road ... but they don't tell you nor monitor you for the lung cancer

also, what Busy is talking about is called a "concierge" doctor ... google it ... best thing ever if you don't have serious medical problems.

Don't call it cash, call it, "self pay." Probably the idiot at the counter making $9 an jour thought you were bringing a wheelbarrow full of actual cash.

I've been involved in civilian health care -- ophthalmology-- for 32 consecutive years(and still counting--I like my job :) and nine years of military health care before that. Some things I have learned is:

1.If your Dr. does not accept cash, find another one. Do you know what you call the person who graduated last in medical school? Doctor. Ask if your doc will give a discount for cash. If self-pay, ask the billing person if they will give you Medicare rates.

2. Live a healthy lifestyle, including spiritually and mentally. Be a landlord :0

3. If tests are needed, ask for the price and shop around.

4. Like all insurance, shop around for what you want.

5. WL(CA) has an excellent point.

6. Get a Health Savings Account.

7. Be safety minded when working or in fast-paced fun activities. For GOD'S SAKE wear safety glasses!!!!!!!!!

8. Bring a notebook and pen with you when you go to your doctor's office. Take notes.

9. Put on sunscreen when you go out, at least 30 strength.

Crazy.

I really wonder if the phone person just couldn’t process that cash and self pay were the same.

Rick, that is an excellent list.

Everything about dr's and ins is crazy.... my 16 year old broke his neck in September of last year..... is working on standing and walking again..... electric wheel chair cost $34,000.00 - that's more then my 2018 Jeep Compass..... his manual chair that we picked up yesterday.... $9,100.00.

Yup..... over the top crazy.

WL, thanks for the tip.

Rick, good list.

WMH, I think that kind of proves what a rip off the insurance companys are.