Simonds - Discussion on Almost Anything

So this is not new to anyone, everyone around me and that reads this site knows that I recently had surgery to repair two herniated disks in my neck. Now what worried me the most about this was the cost because we all know how expensive it is to have any sort of medical care these days. I am not going to blame the medical profession or the insurance, I will not take sides on this issue because I do not know enough about it what so ever.

All I know is that last August my son had a tonsillectomy at Baylor Medical facility in Frisco. At that time I had I thought that I had really great insurance with my company, which is good. It was a PPO plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. This plan covered 90%, my portion was 10%. I also had a maximum out of pocket, but cannot remember what it was. Well when it came time to switch plans I wanted to ensure that I would not have that type of out of pocket responsibility again, so I changed my coverage. i have a new plan, which after paying a $250.00 deductible, covered everything at 100% as long as I stayed inside the network. Prior to my surgery I MADE sure that I stayed within the network because I did not want any surprises showing up in my mailbox.

Well yesterday the first statement came in, and this will be the first of many. This one was from the hospital where I had the surgery, Presbyterian Hospital in Rockwall, Texas. Now I know it was going to be expensive and we actually had some guesses with friends. I said it would cost around $20 K to $25 K, boy was I wrong.

Remember this is the first of many statements that I will be receiving and I will keep this blog updated with the total cost of this procedure.

The first bill from Presbyterian Hospital was $ 54,802.80

When I first opened the statement I almost wet myself, I could not and cannot believe the charges.

Take a look at the attached itemized bill:




Can you believe it!!

I am just glad that I have 100% coverage and that I do not have to pay a dime

Stay tuned for the following bills:

• Neurosurgeon
• Anesthesiologist
• Radiologist
• MRI Lab

and I am sure there are others

Thanks!!

~Mike