Question:
help !! hospital out of network

Insurance co. approved me for surgery hospital calls to set date they said they are out of network for me so my out of pocket will be 3,500.00 before surgery which I do not have. I called insurance co.explained there are very few surgens doing this in missouri cant find one in network and dont want to go through all of this over again.I am really frustrated now have been waiting months. I have secondary ins which is a form of mo medicade but they dont have a contract with them someone HELP I am so close but yet so far.    — dave B. (posted on March 28, 2003)

March 28, 2003
The hospital I'm having my surgery at is out of network, but because it's the only hospital my 'in-network' surgeon operates at, my insurance is covering it at an 'in-network' price. Thank God......
   — J. Wilkinson

March 28, 2003
i'd check back with your insurance company and get the name of a doctor and hospital in network that does the surgery you want. if there are NONE, as you claim, i think you've got a pretty strong case to pay in-network fees for the procedure. enlist the help of your employer if your insurance is through your job. if not, enlist the help of your state insurance commission. good luck.
   — Kasey

March 28, 2003
just like the previous poster, my hospital is out of network. my insurace is going to pay as in network because the hospital that is in network does not perform bariatric surgeries. hope this is helpful.
   — TIFFANY R.

March 30, 2003
I had to fight like hell to get my insurance to negotiate a price with the out of network hospital since the in network hospital did not allow this surgery. I went thru my HR department at work for help. However, I was prepared to call the hospital myself and try to negotiate a price. For instance, I would have negotiated that if my insurance paid such and such amount, could I just be responsible for "x" amount instead of the full amount. This happens more often than you would think. My insurance finally agreed to negotiate with the hospital and now I am not responsible for anything else. Good Luck
   — roryleigh