INSANE, CRIMINAL drug test from PM clinic!

[troubleinohio]

I just got a bill today from when I went to the PM clinic about 4 months ago for the LAB work..this was JUST for the URINE DRUG test they did......442!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  yes you read right.....four hundred and forty two bucks!!! I  cannot even believe it. Why on earth would a simple urine test cost that much?? I have NO insurance at all and this is impossible for me to pay! The appt itself was expensive=190, and now I get this? Has anyone else had a similar bill for such a thing? I am calling them tomorow to inform them I think that is absolutely CRIMINAL to charge that much, and I am not paying that much for it. They can send as many collectors after me as they want to, but I am not paying almost 500 bucks for 3 oz. of urine test!! Insane!

[troubleinohio]

forgot to update.......NO it wasnt a TYPO according to them, and they want me to pay the full 442!!   When i told the person on the phone there is no way in helll she said i could fill out the financial aid application they offer so obviously im going to do that and hope i get the bill modified/waived.. I'll let ya guys know what becomes of this..I still just cant believe it!!!

[Tuckamore]

Hi TroubleinOhio,

I agree with you that $442 sounds way out of line for a drug screen. I tried to do some research to find some comparison costs but I could not locate any information. I suggest that you call some local clinics or hospital labs and ask their cost. If this is way out of line than confront your billing source with this information.

Medical care costs in all areas are skyrocketing. When we do not have insurance sadly medical costs are often unaffordable. Even those of us with insurance often have a fight on our hands to get our insurances to cover our expenses as Runningmom pointed out.

I do know that their are different costs for different ppl. Private pay is often billed the highest because Medicare and Medicaid have limits of what they will pay. Medical facilities try to make it up by charging private pay or private insurance companies more.  It doesn't seem fair but it is not illegal.

Good luck to you. I hope you are able to lower the bill rate. Please let us know the results. We will be watching for your progress.

Take Care,
Tuck

[RunningMom]

Wow!  That is insane.  I've never had to do a urine sample.  I couldn't imagine going through this without insurance.  My medical bills have gone well over $100,000.00 that the insurance has covered.  I will also most likely have another fusion real soon and my insurance is trying to get out of paying for any future spine care.