I have insurance from my employer but the deductible is $5,000 so I pay cash and have found the situation to be exactly as you described. In fact, before covid shut down my favorite urgent care, they used to upfront tell you the cash vs insurance costs. Unfortunately in Sept 2021 I had a kitchen accident and went to an urgent care that u…
I have insurance from my employer but the deductible is $5,000 so I pay cash and have found the situation to be exactly as you described. In fact, before covid shut down my favorite urgent care, they used to upfront tell you the cash vs insurance costs. Unfortunately in Sept 2021 I had a kitchen accident and went to an urgent care that used my insurance and it eventually cost me $2,000+ for a pain blocker and 3 stitches. I had my regular cash natural path remove the stitches and he charged me $35. Had I gone back to the urgent care as they requested I probably would have had to pay another $1,000. The only thing insurance offers is ‘free’ check ups at allopathic doctors I don’t use. I use a local compounding pharmacy and often they even beat the insurance prescription cost or it is very close, not making insurance worthwhile. I wouldn't have it if it wasn't provided. What I am doing is maxing out the HSA contributions so I have a large balance accrued to pay medical expenses. A much better way to go if you manage your health.
Going to doc-in-box or tele-med next month & beyond.
Have y'all used the discounter "GoodRx"? it is an app (i know, my phone is stripped of crap applications and Google things unneeded) but the price for drugs is SIGNIFICANTLY lower than self pay and often less than insurance co-pays (when i had insurance).
The company is directly affiliated with Albertsons/Safeway so the cost at their pharmacy is less than CVS/Wallyword/Walgreens. Still... The $350 migraine med is $4.80-$13.50 depending on where i go, so i grudgingly loaded the app & use it.
I love GoodRX! It is a better deal than health insurance for med prices. Grocery store pharmacies are the way to go…..always way cheaper than big box walgreens/CVS. They price gouge so so bad.
I have insurance from my employer but the deductible is $5,000 so I pay cash and have found the situation to be exactly as you described. In fact, before covid shut down my favorite urgent care, they used to upfront tell you the cash vs insurance costs. Unfortunately in Sept 2021 I had a kitchen accident and went to an urgent care that used my insurance and it eventually cost me $2,000+ for a pain blocker and 3 stitches. I had my regular cash natural path remove the stitches and he charged me $35. Had I gone back to the urgent care as they requested I probably would have had to pay another $1,000. The only thing insurance offers is ‘free’ check ups at allopathic doctors I don’t use. I use a local compounding pharmacy and often they even beat the insurance prescription cost or it is very close, not making insurance worthwhile. I wouldn't have it if it wasn't provided. What I am doing is maxing out the HSA contributions so I have a large balance accrued to pay medical expenses. A much better way to go if you manage your health.
smart cookie!!
Going to doc-in-box or tele-med next month & beyond.
Have y'all used the discounter "GoodRx"? it is an app (i know, my phone is stripped of crap applications and Google things unneeded) but the price for drugs is SIGNIFICANTLY lower than self pay and often less than insurance co-pays (when i had insurance).
The company is directly affiliated with Albertsons/Safeway so the cost at their pharmacy is less than CVS/Wallyword/Walgreens. Still... The $350 migraine med is $4.80-$13.50 depending on where i go, so i grudgingly loaded the app & use it.
I love GoodRX! It is a better deal than health insurance for med prices. Grocery store pharmacies are the way to go…..always way cheaper than big box walgreens/CVS. They price gouge so so bad.