Outrageously expensive and for no reason. They billed me almost $275 for an HcG and a progesterone blood test. Just days ago I had had those exact same tests done at LabCorp for a total of $88. A complete rip off.
Unfortunately I had to go to an urgent care clinic as a self paying patient due to early pregnancy concerns. The doctor there wanted me to repeat those blood tests and they only work with Quest. I stupidly agreed thinking the bill would come out to a similar amount to the LabCorp one. When the bill came in the mail a week later for $275, I almost fell off my chair. Self paying patients typically get discounts, simply because the company doesn't have to deal with insurance, file claims on behalf of the patient etc. You save them money and resources from bureaucracy and they pass these savings on to you - this is very common and typical of the health care industry, and it is also the fair and moral thing to do. An individual cannot be charged the same amount as an insurance company! Also the individual is supposed to pay immediately, whereas insurance companies can take 90 days to dispatch the funds. For this reason, individuals often get a discount for the quicker payment. These guys applied no discounts whatsoever on the bill - they billed me the same amount they would have billed insurance, hoping to collect the full amount from ME without doing the work they'd have to do to get it from insurance. Highly immoral!
I tried to call and speak to someone on the phone, but could not get a hold of anyone. I tried looking around their website and the only thing I was able to find about private patient discounts is 'financial assistance' only for the extremely poor (based on the government's poverty guidelines which are ridiculously low anyway). Their only alternative is setting up a payment plan, which is kinda stupid. $275 isn't nearly high enough to set up a debt plan for, but at the same time it's a considerable amount of money that I'd have to come up with and pay in full within just 2 weeks!! Very outraged, especially considering their competitor only charged me $88 total for the same two tests! Avoid if you have a choice, especially if paying for yourself or out of pocket under a deductible. They're going to charge you through the roof.... read more