We are starting to see more discounts given when asking for them at healthcare facilities as the cost and listed prices are in many cases non-affordable, especially when one does not have insurance coverage and doctors and hospitals alike are beginning to realize that discounted payments mean the difference of securing the patient and/or treatments or not. There are also sites where you can put your treatment/procedure out for bid such as Priceline.com which may work for non emergency types of elective procedures where time is not an element.
Shopping for the Medical Care – New Websites Appearing to Engage the Process
“I was a little nervous at first because the price was so cheap, but when I got there, it was wonderful,” Ms. Kyser said. “Everyone was so professional and helpful.”
HealthcareBlueBook.com compiles prices paid for specific treatments and procedures in ZIP codes throughout the country, then lists what the site determines is a range of fair prices. Consumers can then use these ranges as a jumping-off point for negotiating with their providers.
Another Web site, OutOfPocket.com, combines price information that users send in to determine a going rate for specific health care costs throughout the country.
In the video below you can see where an MRI was negotiated down to $600 from the original quotes of $1800 plus. Cash is always welcome by all and in itself will open the doors for cheaper pricing. BD
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6654105n&tag=related;photovideo