Question:
General insurance questions-Deductible

Ok I am a bit confused here. Do you pay the deductible up front? Or do you pay it when you get all the bills? The way I think I understand it is this; you have the surgery, you get billed for surgery, they add your deductible to what you owe. Is that right at all? I would like to know because I want to see how much $ I may need beforehand. Thanks for your help guys!!:)    — Misty C. (posted on June 12, 2003)

June 11, 2003
In the past it was that away; BUT BUT BUT - and you can call the hospital (MORE) hospitals are NOW requiring you to pay your deductable UPFRONT; IN ADDITION!!! they 'guesstimate' what your insurance will pay - i.e say your 'portion' is 10% you could be required to pay the 10% up front as well. When I had my hernia repair last month; they guessed the charge to be 750 and required me to pay 75 up front (turns out it was MORE) ; lets say your 'max' out of pocket is $1,000.00 / you are responsible for a $250 ded and 10% until your out of pocket is met. They guess your surgery will cost $20,000. You could very well end up paying your $1,000 up front. Please call the hospital. Some still dont make you pay up front 'except' the deductable; then bill you but more and more are requiring the 'total' up front.
   — star .

June 11, 2003
I forgot to add that my insurance pays 100% for hospital services. My yearly deductible is $250.
   — Misty C.

June 11, 2003
I had to pay my deductible the morning I arrived at the hopsital. My deductible was $500.00. They billed me $2000 of what the insurance didn't pay. I made payments with no interest. $2500 for a $25-30K operation. Not bad.
   — Lora T.

June 12, 2003
I had to pay my hospital deductible up front when I pre-registered. My doctor also required up front copay.
   — Jan P.

June 12, 2003
I had BC/BS with a $200 deductible, then 80/20 up to $1,100. Before surgery, I 'guesstimated' surgery costs and figured I would owe all $1,300 by the time all was said and done...and I was right! My entire deductible was due out of the first bill that came in (anestesia), plus the 20% on top of that. Then I paid 20% of each additional bill that came in, until my portion was paid for. I would call your insurance and find out for sure what they will and won't cover, and how much deductible you have, and start 'saving' in the event that you should have to pay it up front - like others have had to do...at least you will be prepared that way.
   — eaamc