By working with many healthcare companies, we come across a lot of insider tips when it comes to making decisions about our own healthcare - especially
through the local chapter of the OKMGMA.
Your doctor has just requested that you get a common blood chemistry test called a Comprehensive Metabolic Profile. These are commonly done at
outpatient lab facilities. Your doctor’s office may have then referred you to go to their own onsite facility for the testing. It’s convenient
and you’ve been told to go, so you go. Did they help you understand your choices in cost by using one facility over another? Did you perceive that
you have a choice? Likely not.
(6/8/16) reminds us to check local labs outside of our health system networks
to compare costs. You may be surprised. The blood chemistry test done in the doctor’s referral health system had a “list” price of $978, of which
the PPO insurance allowed $625 with a $125 out-of-pocket cost to the patient. After placing a call to the local unaffiliated lab, it was determined
that the same blood chem test could be done for less than $10 out-of-pocket without filing a claim.
WellOK challenges us to focus as a nation on the cost of care versus the cost of insurance. Understand your choices and don’t hesitate
to shop around for the best deal. It’s your money.
