negotiating medical bills

I have never done this before. I elected to have anesthesia for a procedure. Since the anesthesiologist was out of network, I would be responsible to 50% of the bill. Before the procedure, I called the billing department and asked how much it would cost. I was told that it would cost around $600 and that I would be responsible for $300. I just received a bill for $861 (it was $1,722). Was I supposed to ask for them to put this quote in writing? I left a message with the billing department and am waiting for them to call back. How do I handle this? I feel strange haggling over a medical procedure.

negotiating medical bills

Better option is to fight your insurance on it. You have no choice with anesthesiologists to choose an in network provider. Even if they quoted you $600 in writing they'd probably put a disclaimer that actual charges may differ etc. Definitely haggle on it or ask them for help appealing it. Some insurances will just pay the 100% for these if you question it, others won't no matter waht.

Re: negotiating medical bills

First see if your insurance will cover it as you didnt have a choice of which procedure would be covered or not. However, you can work with the billing department to lower your medical bills. I have done this for my fiance and for my father on numerous occassions. A few years ago my fiance needed surgery and he received an updated bill from LIJ. I called them and for a 40K bill, they accepted $26.00 to close the case. It doesnt hurt to try and you might be surprised in what you hear.