You might have 2 different cost structures for what's considered "preventative" care and other medical care. This would not fall under the preventative section I wouldn't think, so make sure you're looking at the right set of numbers. You might have a different copay (and then again, you may not), and you might have to pay a percentage of what you're having done (typically 10-20%, depending on what type of policy you have). No matter how high the costs of what you need done, you should only have to pay up to the limit of your deductible for any covered procedures.
Okay. This is very useful. I still need to obtain a written copy of the policy, but it will be more understandable now.

In general, procedures are either covered or they're not...if your doctor decides they are medically necessary AND they are typically covered by your insurance, then insurance will pay their portion regardless of what the tests show. The one area that's greyer is in seeking emergency care for non-emergency situations. Don't do that
Try to make sure your doctor/his staff is familiar enough with your insurance to have a sense of what is and is not coverable. BUT don't take their word for it. Find out what tests are going to be recommended for you and then look in your insurance booklet/online information to see if you need pre-approval or anything like that, or speak to someone in customer service at the insurance company if you're not sure. If they are telling you something's covered and you don't see it in your booklet/online explanation, try to get it in writing before doing the procedures. So for example, for someone of my age, preventative mammograms are not covered, but if my doctor had a medical reason to request one, my insurance pays for it.

*nods*
Don't go to a hospital. Your best bet is to find a good GP that can refer you out to specialists as needed. Do you know anyone locally that you trust enough to ask them if they have a doctor they recommend? You could also ask your counselor/therapist for a referral.
Heh, unfortunately I stopped doing therapy because I couldn't afford the copays.

Good luck. I'm coming at this from the perspective of someone with control-freak tendencies who has been in a similarly-financially-strapped situation, so the things I'm recommending may very well be overkill. But it helped me to know in advance what the limit of my financial liability was going to be, and to have that in writing in case there was a denial or the story changed after I had the stuff done
That never happened to me BTW but I had heard too many horror stories to take that chance.

Thank you! Yeah, even aside from peace of mind that things will be covered in some form or another, it's very useful for planning.
I hope it helps

One other thing that occurred to me and you should be prepared for is that since your parents get all the policy information, it's very likely that they will get an "Explanation of Benefits" (EOB) for every doctor's visit/test/procedure that you get. This will list who you saw, what you had done, what the cost is, how much insurance is covering and how much you're responsible for paying (they won't get the bills from the doctors/facilities, those will come directly to you, but they'll know how much your bills are going to be). It won't give them the results of tests or your diagnoses or any details about your conversations with the doctors or anything like that, but they'll have enough information to worry/be mad/react however they will based on how or if you've prepared them for what they're going to see. It might also be clear from what you're having done what you're being tested for (if the tests are specific enough and/or your parents are knowledgeable enough). Just FYI.
I am not telling you this so you'll decide not to go through with your plan to find a doctor and seek answers (it sounds like you've decided you need to do that, and I trust your judgement there, so I would NOT let this factor into that decision). I just want you to be realistic in deciding what and how much you want to share with your parents, and at what point in time. If you don't prepare them in advance somewhat, you are probably going to get some pretty upset phone calls once those EOBs start arriving.
If you are from Betelgeuse, please have one of your Earth friends read what I've written before you respond. Or try concentrating harder.
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
I have a medical costs question too...
10/02/2010 03:08:14 PM
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If you look at your policy
10/02/2010 03:27:15 PM
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I'm all for being a control freak when I can.
11/02/2010 03:07:37 PM
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One other thing you should be aware of
11/02/2010 03:25:07 PM
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You might want to call your insurer and talk to them about who to see.
10/02/2010 03:34:53 PM
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Do you think an actual person would have better referrals than the website?
11/02/2010 03:14:01 PM
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I don't think we'll be able to do you much good.
10/02/2010 03:36:57 PM
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For CU, that list seems to be really outdated.
11/02/2010 12:13:06 AM
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and as far as the frustrating part...
11/02/2010 01:58:39 AM
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Hmmm.
11/02/2010 03:17:50 PM
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Most doctor's offices
11/02/2010 03:32:55 PM
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Mine was a little as well.
11/02/2010 12:46:45 PM
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It was funny, because most of them were medical-ish, but I got a bariatric center, a therapist...
11/02/2010 02:25:03 PM
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I just know a worried person should not pay a damn cent...
10/02/2010 03:53:19 PM
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Why? Should I not have to think about how to pay for my dinner tonight?
10/02/2010 04:23:31 PM
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The Dole or hardship funds should help people who can't afford food
10/02/2010 04:28:49 PM
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I agree, the needy should be helped.
10/02/2010 04:32:45 PM
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I don't agree with your characterization of commonly proposed healthcare solutions.
10/02/2010 04:42:06 PM
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I don't think he's mischaracterizing anything so much as responding to Jens' point directly.
10/02/2010 04:54:55 PM
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As a response to Jens' point, it works, but he used very general language.
10/02/2010 07:37:20 PM
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Furnace? Health? Erm...
10/02/2010 08:04:03 PM
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no
10/02/2010 08:40:12 PM
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I didn't like the example
10/02/2010 08:46:24 PM
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I see no problem with the state paying the vast majority of medical costs
10/02/2010 04:53:57 PM
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Have you never looked at the boatloads of information that your insurer has surely sent to you? *NM*
10/02/2010 04:19:09 PM
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I've never been sent a thing from them...
10/02/2010 04:28:57 PM
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I believe, although I no longer am covered by Blue Cross, that most tests are covered.
10/02/2010 11:28:34 PM
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I have no idea regarding insurance
11/02/2010 10:32:11 AM
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Yes, and just in general, it's good to have a GP. But they are elusive creatures. Like unicorns. *NM*
11/02/2010 03:33:24 PM
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Your doctor's office should be able to answer most questions for you
11/02/2010 02:36:10 PM
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