Cost to see a Specialist

[Rail Tracer]

I'm curious.... how much does it (average) cost to see a specialist that your GP referred you to in America(let's assume that you are uninsured)?

I assume that the GP will be handing out any documents needed to be given to the said specialist, and that will drive the cost down since the test do not need to be done again?

 

[Kullervo]

Why Are U.S. Health Care Costs So High? - Forbes

 

[ceecee]

I'm curious.... how much does it (average) cost to see a specialist that your GP referred you to in America(let's assume that you are uninsured)?

I assume that the GP will be handing out any documents needed to be given to the said specialist, and that will drive the cost down since the test do not need to be done again?

They may need to be done again, it depends on the tests and the disease. You could also call and ask, since fees vary, depending on where you are. And anywhere from 10% to 20% can be deducted off the top of your bill if you self pay.

For example, I have a vertebrae in my back that is slipping forward. My regular physician did an x-ray to confirm this and the specialist he sent me to, wanted an MRI. I called 4 different facilities to find out what they charge and I paid myself. The reason I did that is because 1) I didn't want it to be denied by the insurance company, which is could very well have been since I had the x-ray and 2) I knew I would need it done again to make sure there were no changes in the slip percentage. Also, the amount for the MRI fluctuated greatly. I took a middle of the road amount at a facility a little closer to me and it was about $950. Had I billed my insurance company? $2100. This is where much of the issue also lies.

One thing the Forbes article isn't taking into account is why specialists charge so much more and make so much more than GP's. When you leave medical school with $250,000-$500,000 in student loans, the high salary is kind of deceptive. This may be one area they should be taking a look at, when they look at overall health care costs. Who wants to be a doctor when you get a one-two punch of student loan payback and medical malpractice insurance and wouldn't you need to make as much as possible to cover that?

 

[kyuuei]

Specialists can cost a LOT depending on who you need to see, how frequently, surgeries required, etc.

My friend had his appendix burst, and delayed going to the hospital out of ignorance of knowing wtf that feels like in comparison to food poisoning (which he never had before). The cost without his insurance coverage? The cost of a house. A nice one. Over 100,000$ USD for the hospital stay, surgical procedures, tests, examinations, medications, consults, etc. He paid 900$ out of pocket for the whole thing.

American health costs suck unless you have a free way out and are generally healthy.

But to keep the scare factor down, many places will make you pay a rate for a visit. Visiting the doctor alone might not cost a ton.. they have specialists that will let you visit them for $40-150 a visit depending on who and what. Without tests and procedures though, little will be done... For a minor issue (like a foot issue for example needing a special insole to relieve back pain) I could see a doctor visit a few times, an order for a device from a third-party-online-offer and all that reasonably come out with only paying $500 or so for some visits and tests and the device. But still that's a good chunk of money for a foot.