Out of pocket cost for Dr. Tobias consult

General
1

Can anyone tell me what they paid to consult with Dr. Tobias. I just got a bill for $1000. I paid Dr. Costantino $350. Thanks

1 Like
2

Hi! My bill for Costantino & Tobias was $895 each before the insurance adjustment. That was for the initial consultation. After adjustment both were $376.73 each. Then for another visit it was $550 for Tobias & $390 for Costantino. Hope you’re feeling well and continuing to improve!

2 Likes
3

@Chrickychricky - That’s a ridiculous amount for an initial visit. He’d have needed to do some sort of a costly procedure while you were there to jack the price up that high. I’d sure call & question it. I hope his ofc has a good explanation!

1 Like
4

Thanks @vap and @Isaiah_40_31 It seems like all of these numbers are not actually real. What I have been finding out is that everything is up for negotiation. When I first contacted Dr. Costantino’s office they told me it would be $350 out-of–pocket which I agreed to only to find out later that someone on the forum paid $250. So when that ridiculous bill came in from Dr. Tobias’s office I went in with a plan to negotiate. Banner Hospital, where I had the surgery, has something on their website for people paying out-of-pocket that they usually collect 25% of what gets billed from insurance companies and they expect to collect that 25% plus 125% of that, roughly 29% from out-of-pocket people. When I spoke with the biller from Dr. Tobias’s office I started lower, proposing $200 expecting to have to go up a little but they accepted that! I’m still working through the insurance issue from the surgery but at least I have the consultation bill taken care of!

2 Likes
5

:partying_face: :clap: :bangbang: GOOD FOR YOU, @Chrickychricky!! That was a brilliant move on your part to low ball the offer. I’m really glad they just took it w/o question. Also, thank you for the info about negotiating w/ the hospital as well. I have mentioned negotiating cost of doctor/surgery bills for cash paying patients on here before because I knew it was possible but wasn’t sure what it looked like in reality. Your info has helped make how to negotiate more clear.

1 Like
6

Well done, it sounds a crazy system! :hugs:

1 Like
7

Nice negotiation skills! Just curious did you end up having surgery with just Tobias and not both him and Costantino? Costantinos less than nice staff told me they never operate outside of CT at Stamford.

1 Like
8

Thanks. I ended up having surgery with Dr. Nakaji in Phoenix.

2 Likes