How
to Lower Your Lab Costs: Pay Less for Blood Tests,
CAT Scans, Hormone Tests, and More
Some
of the highest mark-ups among medical expenses involve
lab tests (click here
to see how a patient’s $744 lab fee was repriced
to only $58.32). When you have lab tests performed
in a hospital, or blood drawn at your doctor's office
and sent off to a lab, you almost always pay more
than if you order those tests on your own from an
independent lab. Not only are you paying a retail
rate to the lab, but typically the doctor's office
also adds their cut to the price.
As
with most healthcare expenditures, the patient typically
does little-to-no price shopping before ordering lab
work. There is also often a markup by the doctor
on tests he or she may order. So prices are
far higher than they should be. Instead of participating
in this messed-up system, most HSA
for America clients are opting out
by ordering their own tests.
HSA
for America
Additional Benefit: Discounted Lab Fees
HSA
for America has contracted with
USBA Labs to make their lowest pricing
available to our clients and visitors. After
joining (there is no cost to do so), you may order
lab tests, x-rays, and even CT scans or MRIs.
The
President of HSA for
America, Wiley Long, recently ordered a
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP).
This standard group of tests provides information
about the current status of your kidney and liver
function, infection and nutrition, risk of diabetes
and risk of heart disease. It includes measurements
of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, liver
enzymes, blood glucose, and many other factors.
This
test, which may have cost over $250 if done at a hospital
or doctor's office, cost him only $45.
It
is not uncommon to save 80% or more on the cost of
your tests. You can even use these testing
services when your own doctor is ordering tests.
Just explain that you are paying for the tests yourself
since you have not yet met your deductible, and as
an involved consumer you wish to minimize your out-of-pocket
expenses. If your doctor has a problem with
this, you may want to hire a new doctor.
You
can order the tests online, go have your blood drawn
without making an appointment, and get your results
online within 48 hours. There is no charge
for this benefit.
