When I see my family doc for yearly thyroid tests, the doctor visits* and lab work cost me about $300. I don’t go every year. Too expensive.
*two, because the system SUCKS and I can’t get authorization to have my blood taken without a visit, then get the lab work, then go BACK for another visit to get the results and scrip, and the nurses’ brains seem to shut off when I try to get the doc on the phone so I can get authorization for bloodwork without an $80 visit… blah. Annoying to the nth degree.
My doctors bills anywhere from $75.00 to $150.00 for an office visit, the kind of thing you are describing would be a $75.00 consult.
The insurance company will take a discount and actually pay $37.50 and I pay $20.00 so regarless of the billed amount she get $57.50.
It may be possible to negotiate good prices with your doctor, especially if you intend for him/her to be your regular doctor.
A larger concern would be “what happens if that little cough you went in for turns out to be somethign seroius like cancer?”
Does your state have any subsidized insurance programs you qualify for? Mine (NY) does, although I make a little too mcuh to qualify.
I always heard NH is overly expensive… Last two times I went to urgent care for things that required antibiotics (within the last five years) it was $185 at one place and $225 at the other. This is about what a doctor’s office visit costs in the area, but of course you can actually get into urgent care without being a patient first.
Moderator Note
This was raised by a spammer who has since been disappeared.
Since this thread dates back to 2006 and a lot has changed with health care since then, it’s probably best just to close this. If anyone wants to start a new thread on the topic, feel free.
Thread closed.