CAT scan without Insurance

[patti24_2000]

My doctor just gave me an order for yet another CAT scan ( I have had 9-11 so far). The difference this time is that I no longer have health insurance since leaving my job. Do the hospitals, or some other agency have any programs to help with these extravagant costs? Where do I do?

Thank you for any help.

[H20shed65]

@patti24_2000 Hi Patti, sorry to hear about all the CT drama. Talk to your physician and see if they really need a CT or if a less expensive x-ray would do the trick. Also, hospitals will generally allow you to pay over time if you make arrangements in advance. However, the bigger issue is that they will likely make you pay the cash, no insurance rate, which will be much higher than what your insurance company paid them. They may or may not negotiate a better price for you. Explain your situation to them and ask if they will allow you to pay the same rate they were charging your insurer. Additionally, hospitals are not your only option. Call around to other CT/MRI/Radiology places and ask them what they charge for the type of CT you need. Be sure to have your Dr.s order handy because they will not be able to quote a price without knowing exactly what type of CT you need. Tell them you have no insurance and ask them for their best rate. If you can afford to, tell them you will pay in full at time of service for a discount. This may appeal to independent Radiology outfits because whatever they charge you will likely be a lot more than your insurer had negotiated with them. Hope you find some help. Best of luck!

[patti24_2000]

@patti24_2000 Hi Patti, sorry to hear about all the CT drama. Talk to your physician and see if they really need a CT or if a less expensive x-ray would do the trick. Also, hospitals will generally allow you to pay over time if you make arrangements in advance. However, the bigger issue is that they will likely make you pay the cash, no insurance rate, which will be much higher than what your insurance company paid them. They may or may not negotiate a better price for you. Explain your situation to them and ask if they will allow you to pay the same rate they were charging your insurer. Additionally, hospitals are not your only option. Call around to other CT/MRI/Radiology places and ask them what they charge for the type of CT you need. Be sure to have your Dr.s order handy because they will not be able to quote a price without knowing exactly what type of CT you need. Tell them you have no insurance and ask them for their best rate. If you can afford to, tell them you will pay in full at time of service for a discount. This may appeal to independent Radiology outfits because whatever they charge you will likely be a lot more than your insurer had negotiated with them. Hope you find some help. Best of luck!

@H2Oshed65 I appreciate all of that wonderful information that you so generously provided. Can I ask you a favor, also? Could you possibly hit a "helpful" or "like" on my post? I am only a few short of getting into the seniors area. Pardon my typing today. Not feeling well.

[EBDude]

My doctor just gave me an order for yet another CAT scan ( I have had 9-11 so far). The difference this time is that I no longer have health insurance since leaving my job. Do the hospitals, or some other agency have any programs to help with these extravagant costs? Where do I do?

Thank you for any help.

If you have had 9-11 cat scans what is he missing? Did they just get a new CAT scan machine on credit and they need the cash flow? That's an incredible amount of data.
I'd get a second opinion. From a more senior doctor. Cheaper then another scan and you get some to read it the existing scans.
I don't know what you have and maybe you need scans to catch something early.
As for paying for what is needed, you have to see what is available to you, medicare, medicaid, state programs and even some city programs will help with or cover cost. There is usually a social worker that knows all the resources in a hospital.
San Francisco is real good, as everyone has available medical care regardless income.
Best Wishes, May you get better and not need any of this.

[patti24_2000]

If you have had 9-11 cat scans what is he missing? Did they just get a new CAT scan machine on credit and they need the cash flow? That's an incredible amount of data.
I'd get a second opinion. From a more senior doctor. Cheaper then another scan and you get some to read it the existing scans.
I don't know what you have and maybe you need scans to catch something early.
As for paying for what is needed, you have to see what is available to you, medicare, medicaid, state programs and even some city programs will help with or cover cost. There is usually a social worker that knows all the resources in a hospital.
San Francisco is real good, as everyone has available medical care regardless income.
Best Wishes, May you get better and not need any of this.

@EBDude I understand and appreciate everything you said. I, too, think this CAT scan is a little over the top since I have already had so many. They tell me that each CAT scan is the same as of 250 ex-rays. Not healthy! The Gastro doc in the hospital kept saying he was going to do one, asked me when my last one was (January) plus MRI & EUC's and ultrasounds. They did none of these while I was in there. I will call around and try to find some help somewhere. I do not qualify for medicare nor medicaid. But there has to be something out there for people like up.