Experience arranging cash payment for BPH procedure?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I'm 48 and need some kind of treatment for my BPH. I have already been in acute retention once. My current Dr. only offers Urolift or old school TURP. I don't think Urolift will work for my case, and I don't want to do TURP at 48.I feel like aquablation would be my best treament option and I need to do something soon. I am on tamsuolsin since my AUR and it gives me diahrea and terrible gas. I have Kaiser and no where in their system do they offer aquablation. I have found a place out of state that offers it and offered my a cash price which seems reasonable. That is only part of the cost though. There is a hospital stay, anasthesia, etc. Has anybody negotiated the cash price for all services needed for a medical procedure? Is there any hospital that caters more to cash paying patients?I want to make sure I cover my basis so I don't put myself in a situation where I could owe way more than I was planning on.
0 likes, 9 replies
not_too_shabby
Edited
Just a quick update in case anyone is interested. I have had two practices respond to me w/ cash pay prices for the entire Aquablation procedure, including hospital, anestesia, etc. One was about $14K and one about $16K. I had one other doctor's office give me a quote for the Dr.'s cost, but was never able to get the hospital to return my calls. Basically if you self-pay they give you about a 50% discount compared to what they would normally bill insurance.
alberto204 not_too_shabby
Posted
Have you had any procedure since this last post? Have you seen the thread on focal laser ablation? It seems to have better results than aquablation.
paul34021 not_too_shabby
Posted
So what happens if there are complications? What will the hospital admin try to do?
not_too_shabby paul34021
Posted
I did get a couple quotes for cash pay in the $16K range. I went in and had an evaluation and the doctor did an ultrasound, cystocopy, uroflow test. They estimated it would cost me $700. I got the bill and it was $1500. They billed me for a biopsy I didn't have, and they didn't apply a cash pay discount. I finally got the bill down to $900 something, but it discouraged me from trying to pay out of pocket for the full procedure. I could easily see the $16K turning into $40K. Who knows what they would do if there was a complication.
I am switching insurance in January and will pursue aquablation at that time. I did read about Focal Laser Ablation, but my understanding is aquablation should be able to remove more tissue.
compiler not_too_shabby
Posted
Make sure the insurance will cover the procedure. It is called transurethral waterjet ablation prostate. with the CPT code.
compiler not_too_shabby
Posted
What is the prostate size?
not_too_shabby compiler
Posted
MRI from 2 years ago said 56cc. I just had an ultrasound, and the ultrasound showed 95cc. Dr said ultrasound is usually more accurate.
compiler not_too_shabby
Posted
Do you have prostate median lobe? Are you required upfront payments?
paul34021 not_too_shabby
Posted
No hospital in the USA will let you stay for a procedure thats not covered by insurance, unless you are Jeff Bezos, not even in Canada