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How much were you charged to get tubes in you child’s ears?

Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:34 pm
Posted by Emteein
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2011
4003 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:34 pm
About a month ago my youngest, 1yo, got tubes put in at a surgical center, today I get an invoice saying I owe $1,145.40. I’ve already paid out of pocket nearly $900. On this invoice it lists Tympanostomy $14,552.10 + prosthetic implant $281.60. Insurance has covered the bulk of this, but Jesus H. Christ this is over $15,000 in charges for a procedure that lasted no longer than 10 minutes, we spent about 30 minutes total at the surgical center. All in all, from the visit to the primary care, to the ENT, to the surgical center we have spent less than one hour with trained medical staff.

$15,000 for tubes in an child’s ears can’t be right, can it?

ETA: Out of pocket paid already
1) $40.00 CoPay for Pediatrician to tell us to go to the specialist (Not even going to include the previous trips to see him for the initial ear infection, then the subsequent trips to see him when the 1st and 2nd antibiotics didn't do anything to clear up the ear infection)

2) $40.00 To see the ENT to confirm that yep, we needed the tubes, which the Pediatrician had already said we needed.

3) $60.00 for ear drops RX

4) $294.81 a few days before the procedure to firm up the scheduling.

5) $490.89 morning of the procedure

$925.70 paid out of pocket prior to receiving the invoice from the surgical center.

This post was edited on 8/15/19 at 8:30 am
Posted by fallguy_1978
Best States #50
Member since Feb 2018
53536 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:35 pm to
It was like 1k or something like that after insurance. My kid was about 1 when she got hers too. This was 12 years ago though. I don't remember the total cost including what insurance covered.
This post was edited on 8/14/19 at 8:38 pm
Posted by dash-right-93-berlin
Midway KY
Member since Jan 2006
996 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:36 pm to
I will never forget that procedure. Less than 10 minutes for both ears and $7500 per ear.
Posted by TDsngumbo
Member since Oct 2011
50773 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:37 pm to
About $50 after insurance.
Posted by OysterPoBoy
City of St. George
Member since Jul 2013
44927 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:37 pm to
I can’t believe you would put a price on your child’s hearing.
Posted by Strannix
C.S.A.
Member since Dec 2012
53729 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:37 pm to
You paid for 10 anchor babies to get free tubes, congratulations
Posted by Golfer
Member since Nov 2005
75052 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:39 pm to
They’re billing $15k and insurance allowed a much lower amount, I’m assuming.
Posted by littlePNdaB
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2010
837 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:39 pm to
Yep, costing us 1500 out of pocket total... jeep getting a bill here or there. They had two people from different companies there for anesthesia, the doctor, the hospital,... I have good insurance but this shite is ridiculous.
Posted by Magic Helmet
Jackson, MS
Member since Jul 2019
503 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:41 pm to
The scores of children with no insurance who got tubes in their ears, thank you.
Posted by HoustonChick86
Catalina Wine Mixer
Member since Dec 2009
59239 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:42 pm to
The anesthesia costs! And the surgeons time and their liability insurance.
Posted by Gage
BR
Member since Nov 2004
1110 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:43 pm to
I don’t remember what I paid after insurance but I distinctly remember seeing a “facility fee” north of 12 grand on the insurance statement.

I remember thinking that reattaching a testicle shouldn’t even cost that much if you’re only there an hour.
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
75383 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:43 pm to
$35,000 and I'm not even making an OT joke.

Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
59202 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:44 pm to
Sounds like you’re raising a millennial snowflake
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
75383 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:46 pm to
Got charged with two surgery fees, two anethesiologist fees, and two facility fees. Because there are two ears.

I reported it to the fraud hotline at Cigna and to the state (GA) and they both said it wasn't fraudulent, it's normal.

Posted by TheHarahanian
Actually not Harahan as of 6/2023
Member since May 2017
23923 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:46 pm to

Whack them in the side of the head and they clear up. Just like an old TV.
Posted by Emteein
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2011
4003 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:48 pm to
quote:

anesthesia costs! And the surgeons time and their liability insurance.


Let’s say one cylinder of gas $500
Anesthesiologists and ENT were present for our procedure less than an hour, actually less than half hour. 2 nurses also. Let’s say you pay them each $1000/ hr. We still ain’t even approaching $15,0000. They make a tiny incision and place a little plastic bushing in his ear drum and then give him some drops. Where is all the money going?
Posted by wartiger2004
9X National Champions WDE RIP CK
Member since Aug 2011
20193 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:48 pm to
You think you’re mad now. Ha wait till they fallout in about a year and you have to pay for it again.
Posted by Lion4Life
Louisiana
Member since Sep 2012
424 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:49 pm to
Best money you will ever spend! Your child health will significantly improve! Say good bye to ear infections and monthly trips to the pediatrician!
Posted by AutoYes_Clown
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Oct 2012
5365 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:49 pm to
quote:

1yo, got tubes


quote:

$15,000 in charges for a procedure that lasted no longer than 10 minutes


You have gained a valuable teaching lesson that you should now groom your 1 yo to become an ENT surgeon.
Posted by Golfer
Member since Nov 2005
75052 posts
Posted on 8/14/19 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

Let’s say one cylinder of gas $500 Anesthesiologists and ENT were present for our procedure less than an hour, actually less than half hour. 2 nurses also. Let’s say you pay them each $1000/ hr. We still ain’t even approaching $15,0000. They make a tiny incision and place a little plastic bushing in his ear drum and then give him some drops. Where is all the money going?


#1 they aren’t getting $15k

#2 Overhead: FF&E, rent, insurance, taxes, marketing
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