Reply #53: Last year it cost just over $6000 for me to find out

[dflprincess]

the funny spot on the mammogram wasn't cancer.

Last year my employer still provided decent insurance and my adventure in breast health cost me about $500 out of pocket and insurance picked up the rest (note the $6K tab was the negotiated price, if I didn't have insurance the bill would have been more than double the $6,000 price).

This year my employer has a lousy plan and between the deductible & "coinsurance" I'd be paying nearly $2,000 out of pocket.

Next year we're going to an HSA plan and I'd be looking at a $5,000 out of pocket bill. This is why, in the long run, HSAs cost everyone more money. People don't bother with preventative or routine tests because they won't be able to pay for any treatment they need if the tests come back indicating a need for follow up.

And the public "option" laid out in HR3200 wouldn't help as that allows for out of pocket expenses that increase with your income up to $5,000 for a single person and $10,000 for a family of 4. I imagine those of us who won't qualify for that option (if it stays in the bill) will still get hit with these kinds of costs by the private insurers regardless of income.