meeting high deductible

Hello all. I have a question about how to meet my high deductible. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have a policy through BCBS of nc, and my deductible is 10k. They will not pay for ANY services until i meet this extreme amount, and I haven't done any of my pre-op tests yet. My question is this: how can I meet my deductible if they won't pay for anything? I mean, do I show my insurance card when i get each test done even though I know that they're not going to cover it, and let bcbs bill me, or will i still be required to pay upfront? Any insight will be appreciated.

Yes, you show your insurance card.  Even though you have to pay the first $10k, that is how they track how much you have applied towards your deductible.  Also, most insurance companies negotiate rates with providers, so you get cheaper care.  For example (and this is just hypothetical), if someone walks in off the street with no insurance and asks for a routine physical, the Dr. may charge that self-payer $125.  You walk in and get the same physical with insurance, and you'll pay $75.  Same care, same treatment, and actually both of you are paying the bill, but one has insurance and the other doesn't.

Thanks for the quick response. That makes a lot of sense. So in your hypothetical situation that you mentioned will I have to pay that $75 at the time of service, or is that what the insurance will bill me?

 This is how my insurance works too.  thankfully I don't have nearly that high a deductible, mine is $1,500, then I pay 20% after that for the next $1,500, then the rest is paid at 100%.

With my insurance, and I believe most work this way, the clinic/hospital will take your card and copy it, and you pay nothing on the date of service.  They will bill your insurance, insurance will reply to the clinic and you that the balance has been applied to your deductible and that the whole balance is "patient responsibility", up to the point your deductible is satisfied.  After that they pay at thier rate (80%, 100% or whatever).  But ALL charges are at the insurance companies negotiated rates, so it is a benefit to you, even with the high deductible.  

My deductable is $5000

I started getting my pre-op tests in December 2010 and some of my big bills only apply towards 2010.  My amounts that I owe after the insurance co-pay are enormous!.  Like $5000 for 2010 alone.  My tests for 2011 are going to be just as high. 

I could've gone to Mexico with that $5k. 

I know right! It is ridiculous. When you have to pay a bill does the whole amount apply towards your deductble, or is it a certain amount? Just trying to figure this whole thing out.

It's actually up to each provider as to when they bill you.  Some providers will ask for the money up front.  A participating provider with BCBS will know how much the BCBS approved amount is.  If they know you have not met your deductible, they may make you pay at the time of service.  This is their right. 

 True, but how do they know if you have met your deductible or not on the day of service if you don't tell them?  Not saying you are wrong, just saying that's how mine works.  I had to go to urgent care on Jan 3, and they took my card and didn't ask for a dime, and it says right on there "patient responsibility: 20% after deductible".  My bill came in the mail about a month later.

I just wanted to thank  you for your insight. If you find out any more info please write!

I got good news today.

I talked to my Dr's office and my tab is a LOT lower that I thought.  I owe like $130-something. Much better than the $4000.00.  I think I'll owe less than $1k for my testing and then my $5000 for surgery.

I seriously thought about going to Mexico but had concerns about any complications and aftercare.