My $825 NST

[annettemarie]

Seriously, this seems radically and obscenely overpriced to me. My old OB had a room right in the office where you could have this done and I don't ever remember an $825 bill. This OB, you have to be admitted to L&D to have it done. And OK, probably it will be reduced down (the claim is still processing) and because I've met the deductible I will only pay 20% of what it's reduced down to, but still. They want me to have 2 a week once I hit 33 weeks!! I am having so much stress over the financial end of this birth.

[JTA Mom]

Is there any way you qualify for state assisstance? There is a form of medical insurance for pregnant women that pays all the copays, it's secondary to your primary one.

Ami

[Lyss]

Yikes! Did you at least get a massage while you were there or something?

That does sound a little over the top.

[lunarlady]

Medical bills are crazy. I just got one for$1100 for my 10 minute ambulance ride. Insurance is still processing that one.

Discuss your financial issues with your OB. Maybe you can do less, or go somewhere cheeper. Doesn't hurt to ask!

[annettemarie]

No massage. I did get a cup of ice water.

[Just1More]

That's ridiculous. And I thought NSTs were supposed to be "good" for a week. I know you are having twins, maybe that changes things.

I think I would balk at that and see what they can do for you. That is just absolutely insane.

[nova22]

Maybe the $825 was part of the test to look for maternal stress???

Sorry, I hate money problems and I HATE when OBs/hospitals charge a ludicrous amount of money for things. I could rant on that for hours but I'll spare you. I'm sorry you're getting served with that crazy bill.

[Baby~Braatens~Mama]

I am so sorry that you are going through this!

[Hedgehog Mtn]

I'm not sure it's really off. My friend is self employed and her insurance isn't great. She pays 700+ for each ultra sound. The insurance only covers one per pregnancy.

[etsdtm99]

when i had my miscarriage - which was not covered under my normal maternity coverage - the ultrasound to confirm was over 900$ .. freakin ridiculous ..

[luv-my-boys]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

No massage. I did get a cup of ice water.

thats some expensive water I would definately check with your OB to see if there is another place besides L&D to have the NST done because you will definately have a much higher rate there due to room charge/nurse charge/ice chip charge

[HeatherB]

That's insane!

And the self-pay u/s prices are insane. Here, there's a fabulous u/s tech who works with the midwives and I've paid $150 for a full u/s! That's cash and I can then submit to insurance (though I never do remember to ). I can't believe how much people are being charged!

[allisonrose]

My primary care physician's office insisted on a blood test to confirm my pregnancy because I was asking them to file gap exception with my insurance. The hospital billed my insurance over $700 for an HCG test which gave the same info as a $5 at-home urine test. My insurance only paid them $30.

There is an excellent chance that your insurance will reduce the charge greatly. If you have online access to your insurance info, I know stuff gets into my online account much sooner than info comes by (snail) mail.

[turnquia]

I'm not even having NST's done while preggo with twins. We're doing so many ultrasounds for cervical checks and what not... that two sacs, two growing well babies during growth scans and if I"m able to feel definative movement from both babies.. no need for NST. Also I'd fail an NST due to contractions all the time... lol so maybe that has something to do with skipping them.

$825 seems like a lot.. and I think twice a week seems like a lot. Your having di/di twins... not mono/mono twins.

[fruitfulmomma]

Is there a big difference between an NST and BPP? I think we were only charged $250 or so for the BPP.

[annettemarie]

It will definitely be negotiated down, but that actually cheese me off even more. Why should people who don't have insurance have to pay more than people who do?

Amanda, I think standard of care for multiples depends a lot on where you are. I live in a valley in the mountains where there are only two OB practices and one hospital. The hospital only got a NICU a year ago. They're extremely conservative in care around here, because if anything happens outside of what they can handle, I get life flighted to the nearest big hospital that can take me. It sucks, but it is what it is. That's not to say I don't push them to justify things, but it's just a very medically conservative area.

Nickey, a BPP is an ultrasound, right? And a NST is where they hook you up to the fetal monitor and measure baby kicks, contractions, and heart rate excels and decels. I had a friend who is an L&D suggest BPP instead of NSTs as well. She says the results last longer (an NST is only good for 4 days and a BPP is good for a week) and it's less time consuming. I'm not sure what the cost would be, but I've noticed my ultrasounds so far seem to be around $250.

[fruitfulmomma]

Nickey, a BPP is an ultrasound, right?

Right.

[annettemarie]

Yeah, it seems counterintuitive to me that being hooked up to a monitor would cost more than an ultrasound, but .

[sewingsparklz]

Oh my gosh, don't get me started! I had my first ultrasound with my last pregnancy at a Medical Mall, a branch of the local hospital. We got the bill and it was $798!!!! (We were also self-pay.) I spoke to my OB's office to see if we could route the bill through them and maybe it would be cheaper? They said they couldn't, but sent me somewhere else for my remaining ultrasound - only $125, very pleasant experience. My kids all got to come in and I had a huge flat screen mounted on the wall just for me to see! What was up with the $800???

I also had to have a non-stress test with baby #3. Only my OB did it in-house and only charged $200. Seems silly when they had a moniter from 1979 strapped to me! I think it had been paid for already! Maybe the high cost goes into their insurance fund, in case we crazy mamas who want to wait until our baby is ready to be born suddenly turn on them and sue their pants off! Whatever!

Is it nice to vent, though.

[CookAMH]

Wow, that is a lot! Maybe you can negotiate to do one a week since you have an out of pocket expense. I have noticed that I have been more aware of medical costs since we have an out of pocket to pay now too, as opposed to a simple copay and not caring what the rest costs (including overhcharges!).