Pre-colonoscopy instructions

Posted by verol65 @verol65, Mar 19 8:45pm

Pre-colonoscopy instructions
I'm glad that both doctors with whom I've had a colonoscopy did not request a liquid only diet the whole day before the colonoscopy (they even let me eat once slice of white bread for dinner); nor did the surgeon who did my LAR; he even encouraged me to eat some protein at dinner time.
https://www.statnews.com/2024/03/19/colonoscopy-preparation-liquid-only-diet-data-gastroenterologists/

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@celia16

Oh, it hasn’t happened yet. It was scheduled for April 10, however, I got the billing information and discovered my part of the cost was outrageous. I then discovered the cost was thousands more than before due to it being in a hospital instead of the ambulatory center next door. I thought I was in the hospital last time. Anyway, to reduce my cost, I rescheduled and now it’s not until the end of May. I’m not thrilled about it, but I’m not in a position to pay that much right now. I intend to call most days to see if they’ve had a cancellation.

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We have good insurance but I noticed at the gastroenterologist office it was $5,000 when I had it done at the hospital where m6 gastroenterologist does it now it was $27,000 it is outrageous when I told my gastroenterologist he said he wished he got paid that much.

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@jeanadair123

We have good insurance but I noticed at the gastroenterologist office it was $5,000 when I had it done at the hospital where m6 gastroenterologist does it now it was $27,000 it is outrageous when I told my gastroenterologist he said he wished he got paid that much.

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Unbelievable! No wonder a lot a people do not get checked.

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@celia16

Oh, it hasn’t happened yet. It was scheduled for April 10, however, I got the billing information and discovered my part of the cost was outrageous. I then discovered the cost was thousands more than before due to it being in a hospital instead of the ambulatory center next door. I thought I was in the hospital last time. Anyway, to reduce my cost, I rescheduled and now it’s not until the end of May. I’m not thrilled about it, but I’m not in a position to pay that much right now. I intend to call most days to see if they’ve had a cancellation.

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What insurance are you under? Are you on Medicare yet? When looking at provider prices, the US is really weird, and no one knows how and why the crazy pricing system exists. The charge first requested by the provider is one thing, the price that Medicare or the insurance company accepts and pays is MUCH LESS, like even only 10% of the "full retail provider" charge. With Medicare your responsibility is based on the Medicare price not the price of the provider (of course it has to be a Medicare covered procedure). I would guess for younger people any copay is based on the insurance company terms.
BUT if you have NO insurance, your price is that crazy high price stated by the provider and then you have to negotiate with the provider for a lower price. That is why uninsured people went bankrupt over medical expenses.
For example, my recent colonoscopy done in Mayo hospital Rochester, had a charge of about $13,000.
Medicare approved amount was about $1600 and Medicare paid 80% of that amount. My Medigap insurance paid the remaining 20%, less than $300. I paid nothing,
I do not know what billing info you got but ask your insurance company if you are not on Medicare.
P.S. For older people they like to do colonoscopies in the hospital because of the higher risk.

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@vic83

What insurance are you under? Are you on Medicare yet? When looking at provider prices, the US is really weird, and no one knows how and why the crazy pricing system exists. The charge first requested by the provider is one thing, the price that Medicare or the insurance company accepts and pays is MUCH LESS, like even only 10% of the "full retail provider" charge. With Medicare your responsibility is based on the Medicare price not the price of the provider (of course it has to be a Medicare covered procedure). I would guess for younger people any copay is based on the insurance company terms.
BUT if you have NO insurance, your price is that crazy high price stated by the provider and then you have to negotiate with the provider for a lower price. That is why uninsured people went bankrupt over medical expenses.
For example, my recent colonoscopy done in Mayo hospital Rochester, had a charge of about $13,000.
Medicare approved amount was about $1600 and Medicare paid 80% of that amount. My Medigap insurance paid the remaining 20%, less than $300. I paid nothing,
I do not know what billing info you got but ask your insurance company if you are not on Medicare.
P.S. For older people they like to do colonoscopies in the hospital because of the higher risk.

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I’m not on Medicare yet, but have a private plan. My share is 30% of the contracted price. They provided a breakdown.

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@celia16

Well, the instructions from my gastroenterologist say no food the day before the procedure, however, the instructions with the prep liquid, which is some kind of sodium magnesium solution, say that I can eat a light breakfast the day before the procedure! Then, I drink that solution. I drink another bottle the next morning, though I don’t think that will be possible, as I have to be at the hospital at 8:00 a.m.and it’ll take me 45 minutes to get there.

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I have had a lot of colonoscopies, each with slightly/very many changes. In one case I was allowed to drink some Ensure Clear the day before but it was difficult to find the green apple flavor that was the right color. If anyone knows where I can get that I will be most thankful.

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@celia16

I’m not on Medicare yet, but have a private plan. My share is 30% of the contracted price. They provided a breakdown.

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Well, that is bad.
I recall my employer plan when I worked (for a good-sized employer with good benefits). It was a hassle. I would go to doctor, doctor would bill insurance company, insurance company would pay me and then I had to pay the doctor. So I had to keep track of it all. And if they changed the plan, we might also be required to change doctors. They did pay dental but dental really doesn't pay much! I also had a significant deductible.
Medicare is much better than my employer health insurance. I have "Original" Medicare with a Medigap policy. I can self-refer to any doctor/specialist in the US that accepts Medicare. I do pay over $300/month for my Medigap plan premium but I never see a bill and have no deductible. And in the last two years I have had so many expensive procedures!
When you go on Medicare don't fall for the Medicare Advantage plans that promise you so much at a low cost, and go with Original Medicare. Advantage plans restrict you to their doctors, you need to be referred to specialists, you have lots of copays and if their specialist is not expert in your problem and you go out of network you will pay $$$$, and you need approvals for everything. Mayo Clinic Oncology has sign and brochure about checking your benefits when you have Medicare Advantage plans and what to do if your insurance company refuses to pay your cancer treatment. Can you imagine! The sign also says that people with original Medicare don't have that problem.

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@jeanadair123

We have good insurance but I noticed at the gastroenterologist office it was $5,000 when I had it done at the hospital where m6 gastroenterologist does it now it was $27,000 it is outrageous when I told my gastroenterologist he said he wished he got paid that much.

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Good to note that!

So it saves to find a clinic that can do them in house rather than at the hospital.

There's really no reason they need to be done at a hospital unless one has severe medical issues.

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